Salary range: £37,261 - £40,478 pro rata per annum (actual salary £21,149 - £22,975 per annum)
Work location: Sutton Farm, near Witney, Oxfordshire but working extensively on an agile basis
Hours per week: 21 hours a week over three days
Contract type: Temporary until 31st March 2026
Closing date: Sunday 16th April 2023
Interview date: Wednesday 26th April 2023
The Ridgeway is one of the most well-known historic routeways in the country and the National Trails Team is proud to care for all 87 miles of it. Launching in the 50th anniversary year of The Ridgeway becoming a National Trail, this new 3 year Historic Ridgeway Project is creating two new posts in the National Trails Team: Project Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator. The Historic Ridgeway Project will engage people in new opportunities to conserve and enjoy heritage along part of the Trail between Wallingford and Ashbury in Oxfordshire. Project staff will be employed by Oxfordshire County Council as the host authority of an ambitious Trail Partnership of numerous stakeholders.
Leading a new 3 year project, the Historic Ridgeway Project Manager will realise a long-held ambition of The Ridgeway Partnership to improve conservation and public enjoyment of The Ridgeway’s heritage. Carrying out surveys and meetings with landowners on-site, the Project Manager will identify appropriate conservation action and visitor interpretation for round barrows, long barrows, hillforts and more. Using well-known landmarks such as Wayland’s Smithy and Grim’s Ditch, the Project Manager will develop great stories to inspire local communities to explore the countryside and volunteer.
The Project Manager will facilitate work such as scrub clearance, mesh-netting and interpretation signage through liaison with landowners, contractors and a Volunteer Co-ordinator employed every autumn-winter. In some cases, fundraising will be required to enable specialist contractor work. They will have the support of a Project Steering Group, involving Historic England, county archaeology teams and others, to develop the most effective management plans, funding bids, visitor interpretation and project communications.
The Project Manager will lead on ensuring the work programme and budget stay on track. A key measure of success will be improved condition of Scheduled Monuments and Historic Environment Record assets, with the Project Manager updating formal records accordingly. Another key objective is around public engagement, with ambitions to engage new audiences not often involved in exploring local heritage, outdoor volunteering and/or outdoor recreation. As such, the role will involve relationship-building with a diversity of local community groups.
Whilst the Project Manager will need be confident working independently, you will also be a strong collaborator and communicator who can negotiate with landowners/farmers, appeal to community groups, bring funders onboard, draw in expertise from partner organisations, manage contractors and make the most of a Volunteer Co-ordinator employed every autumn-winter. You will bring considerable relevant archaeological knowledge and fieldwork experience to the project, including experience of using historic records and GIS; producing management plans; obtaining permissions, and condition assessment. You will confidently steer the project to completion, maintaining a work programme and project budget and also producing project reports. It is desirable that you have experience of fundraising, visitor interpretation and working with volunteers.
It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working. We offer some of the best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.
Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Wright, Ridgeway National Trail Officer on sarah.wright@oxfordshire.gov.uk or 07825 314791, The Ridgeway - National Trails.
To apply, please complete an online application form by clicking either of the Apply Now buttons at the top and bottom of this advert. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the selection criteria, as specified in the job posting. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form, however it is not mandatory.
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Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support and safe spaces for staff.
Our commitment to safeguarding
Our Organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Guaranteed interviews
As a Disability Confident employer we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
We are open to discussions about flexible working.
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