Access Officer

About the team

Hertfordshire County Council’s ambitious policies relating to Sustainability, Active Travel and Access to Green Space make the Countryside & Rights of Way Service more relevant than ever.

Our Access Team work in partnership with landowners, communities, volunteers, and other local authorities to protect and improve the 3200+km network of Public Rights of Way across Hertfordshire.

We collaborate with a broad range of partners including landowners, volunteers, user groups, community organisations, local planning authorities, and other agencies, to support healthy lifestyles, active travel, and connections between towns, villages, and green spaces.

About the role

The team are responsible for all day-to-day operations, ensuring that the network is maintained to a high standard and open and accessible to our many users. Activities include surveying routes, specifying and managing contracts, supporting the work of our many volunteers, negotiating with landowners and responding as consultees to planning applications to secure improvements.

You’ll work closely with landowners, contractors, and community groups to resolve problems, support local initiatives, and promote positive use of the network.

The broader collaborative service includes officers with diverse skills relating to the Definitive Map, Commons & Village Greens, Enforcement, Environmental Land Management, Community Engagement and Health Improvement.

About you

• Previous Public Rights of Way experience or work in a related field.
• Demonstrable understanding of Public Rights of Way legislation.
• Strong interpersonal and effective communication skills with the proven ability to convey complex and/or contentious information to a range of audiences.
• Developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible, adaptable approach to work.
• Valid full (manual) driving licence.

The role offers a varied and rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference to a highly valued public asset. If you’re motivated by partnership working, practical problem-solving and improving access for all, we’d welcome your application.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Technical Services, level 9 job profile. Please locate this via:
Job profiles: Technical services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact [email protected] or [email protected] for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: w/c 4th May 2026

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Driving required

You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.

Closing date: 26 April 2026.