Countryside Capital Programme Officer

The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is £38,090 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.

Help shape the future of countryside access across the Surrey.

Are you looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can make a visible difference to the countryside and the people who enjoy it? Do you have a passion for delivering projects that improve access to the outdoors?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Countryside Capital Programme Officer to join our fantastic Countryside Access Maintenance and Enforcement Team based at Merrow Depot in Guildford.

This role combines office-based, site-based and home working - offering flexibility while ensuring contact with colleagues and a visible presence on projects.

Our Offer to You

26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service plus bank holidaysOption to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leaveA generous local government salary related pensionUp to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per yearPaternity, adoption and dependents leaveAn Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeingLearning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resourcesWellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shoppingA chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residentsAbout the Role

The Countryside Access Team sits within Highways Operations and Infrastructure, and manages almost 2,200 miles of public rights of way. Our work helps people connect with the countryside through the maintenance, protection and improvement of the network, while supporting biodiversity and promoting the wider benefits of outdoor access.

In this role, you will lead the delivery of a diverse programme of infrastructure projects, helping to maintain, enhance and future-proof our extensive public rights of way network. Working across some of the county's most valued landscapes, you will identify, develop and manage a range of capital improvement projects, from bridge refurbishments and replacements to path surfacing schemes and accessibility improvements on the public rights of way network. You will also play a key role in securing external funding to enable further investment in countryside access and infrastructure.

This role contributes directly to the County Council's statutory duties and strategic priorities, delivering projects that benefit residents, visitors and local communities alike.

Your key responsibilities as a Countryside Capital Programme Officer will include:

Developing and delivering a programme of countryside capital projects from concept through to completionManaging contractors and commissioned works to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budgetIdentifying opportunities to improve accessibility and resilience across the rights of way networkPreparing funding bids and securing external investment to support improvement projectsBuilding effective relationships with teams within the authority, councillors, landowners, contractors, local communities, partner organisations including the Environment Agency and Natural England and other stakeholdersHelping ensure our countryside infrastructure remains safe, accessible and fit for the futureThis is a unique opportunity to deliver projects that leave a lasting legacy across the county's public footpaths, bridleways and byways. No two days are the same, with a rewarding blend of project planning, partnership working and site-based delivery.

If you are passionate about improving access to the outdoors and want to help shape the future of our public rights of way network, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

A real passion for enabling everyone to access our rights of way network, whether in the countryside or in urban areasUnderstanding of rights of way and countryside access, and an interest in rights of way maintenanceGood knowledge of contract commissioning and practical construction techniquesExperience of managing or delivering projects, with the ability to manage small capital projects such as bridge refurbishments or replacements, and surfacing projectsStrong organisational, communication and IT skillsThe ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholdersAn understanding of planning processes and external funding opportunitiesIn this role you will require the flexibility to occasionally work weekends and evenings, and ability to work outdoors in all weather and sometimes in difficult terrain.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and as part of this role, candidates will be required to visit inaccessible locations with equipment, and sometimes at short notice. Therefore, Officers will require a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 4 questions:

Please tell us what has motivated you to apply for this role.Please explain what factors you think you would need to consider when planning and commissioning refurbishment of a footbridge in a rural location.Please describe a scenario where you have delivered good customer service.Please tell us about the personal qualities that you would bring to this role to enable you to be successful. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 27/09/2026 with interviews planned to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!