Technical Assistant

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

11/28/2024

As a Technical Assistant working in the Public Rights of Way section of Leeds City Council’s Climate, Energy and Green Space’s service, you’ll thrive in a supporting role within a motivated team working to protect and improve the 862 km of recorded public rights of way network and other key recreational and sustainable transport routes and green spaces across the city to help meet the Health and Wellbeing and Net Zero ambitions of the Council.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to gain experience in Public Rights of Way work and help to deliver a statutory service. The postholder will also be expected to deal with a wide range of enquiries relating to public rights of way, process orders and invoices, use databases and undertake land registry searches and land charge and utility service checks.

While the role is primarily desk-based, it includes opportunities to visit public rights of way across Leeds to follow up enquiries and undertake path inspections and surveys. It also involves liaison with a variety of interested parties such as rights of way user groups, elected Members, Town and Parish Councils, landowners and the general public.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About You

As a Technical Assistant , you will bring to the role:

• An enthusiasm for public green infrastructure.
• An ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• An ability to prioritise, manage and deliver a varied workload.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good ICT skills.
• Previous experience in an administrative and/or technical role.
• An ability to develop a familiarity of public rights of way law and practice and appreciation of the issues concerning their management, protection and improvement.
• The ability to access all public rights of way across the city.
• An ability and willingness to undertake training, learning and development as required.
  
  
  

About The Role

Reporting to the Definitive Map Manager in the Public Rights of Way team, the role provides an opportunity to work across a range of disciplines to contribute to managing and improving footpaths, bridleways and byways across Leeds. These provide an invaluable resource for sustainable and active travel, principally being routes for walking, horse riding and pedal cycling.

This post will assist in the technical delivery and support of the PROW Section in helping to process legal orders and fee earning work such as land charge search responses.

The post will also involve responding to enquiries, supporting enforcement activity, processing financial undertakings, database input, land registry searches and service checks.

This will provide vital support for the team’s work to ensure that the Council meets its statutory duties to keep the Definitive Map and Statement under review and up to date, and ensure that the recorded public right of way network is protected and provided to a safe and satisfactory standard.

The post is a hybrid role with opportunities for home and office working, as well surveying and inspection work on site as required.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
  
  
  

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Bob Buckenham, Public Rights of Way Manager. Call 0113 3782902 or email bob.buckenham@leeds.gov.uk .

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Purpose

To assist in providing technical land management services in support of the objectives of the Climate, Energy and Green spaces Service.

Responsibilities

• To collate and assemble data in the preparation and delivery of funding bids and operational projects in line with the objectives of the Parks and Countryside service.
• To provide detailed responses to enquiries from internal and external sources.
• To liaise with key stakeholders in support of project and development activities
• Communicate with contractors and other agencies as required.
• To investigate and research land management, legislative and technical issues.
• To provide input and support in the preparation of operational management plans for parks and countryside sites.
• To make a contribution in support to relevant staff in the management of events and activities to ensure that health and safety and legal requirements are met.
• To assist with the processing of land acquisition, disposals and encroachment issues.
• To undertake site inspections and investigations as required.
• To ensure effective consultation mechanisms in order to develop the work of the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service.
• To compile and provide performance information that is accurate and timely as requested.
• To represent the Parks and Countryside service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
• To fulfil duties in line with the Parks and Green Space Strategy and related strategies and service objectives and in support of the aims of the Leeds Strategic Plan and Council Business Plan.
• To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time.
• To ensure the procurement of goods and services is in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.
• Willing to take personal responsibility and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Willing to abide by the Council’s policies on equality and diversity in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
  
  
  

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Skills

• An ability to source and assimilate information.
• An ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
• An ability to demonstrate good ICT skills (e.g. email; word processing; spreadsheets; database, mapping systems)
• An ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• An ability to prioritise work.
• Ability to access remote sites efficiently.
  
  
  

Knowledge/qualifications

• A knowledge and good understanding of roles and responsibilities of local authorities relevant to the post.
• Knowledge of current grant funding processes.
  
  
  

Experience

• Experience in the use of computer packages, particularly Microsoft Office.
• Relevant experience in administration or technical role.
  
  
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  
  

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Skills

• An ability to develop and write relevant management plans.
• An ability to interpret and/or produce technical specifications, project documentation and landscape drawings.
  
  
  

Knowledge/qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of horticultural and grounds management.
• Knowledge of the systems and processes used to prepare estimates and quotations.
  
  
  

Experience

• Liaising with external and internal clients.
• Experience in attending public meetings / focus groups.
• Experience in producing interpretative material.
• Relevant experience in a recreational related context.
• Experience of current operational, quality and managerial systems.
  
  
  

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