Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage Herefordshire's Public Rights of Way network and lead a dedicated team.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council and be part of transformative community services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while shaping essential public services.
- Qualifications: Experience in Public Rights of Way management and team leadership required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong community values and career progression pathways.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This is an exciting time to join the Highways and Public Realm team at Herefordshire Council. We’re transforming how highways and public realm services are delivered across Herefordshire, bringing them back under direct Council control for the first time in years. From June this year (2026), we’ll be working in a new way that gives us greater flexibility, more local accountability, and a sharper focus on quality and value for money.
By joining us now, you’ll be part of a team shaping the future of essential services that residents rely on every day from maintaining roads and green spaces to keeping our streets clean and safe. We can offer the chance to make a real difference in your community, work with a dedicated team, and help deliver improvements that matter. If you’re looking for a role where you can take pride in what you do and be part of positive change, we’d love to hear from you.
What will you be doing?
You will be responsible for managing Herefordshire’s extensive Public Rights of Way network of over 2,000 miles. You will manage a team of inspectors who are out on the network each day as well as a team of officers who deal with diversions, Definitive Map Modification Orders and other matters. You will also be responsible for developing and delivering longer term strategies, processes and policies to provide excellent Public Rights of Way services and will collaborate with various stakeholders, including Parish Footpath Officers, Parish and Town Councils, volunteer groups, Cabinet, other elected members and senior managers to enhance the network, ensuring they are accessible and well maintained.
About You
As a Principal Public Rights of Way Officer you will have:
- Substantial technical and legal knowledge and experience in Public Rights of Way.
- Experience of managing and leading a team.
- Experience of building positive relationships and working positively with key stakeholders and communities.
- A proven ability to initiate, develop and implement new ideas and procedures to improve service delivery.
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
- Salary range of HC10 £46,142 - £50,269.
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period.
- Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling.
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits.
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales. The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west. Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working.
The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan, with four main areas; People, Place, Growth, Transformation. We will enable residents to realise their potential, protect and enhance our environment, deliver sustainable growth, and embrace best practice with technology and value for money.
Don’t meet all parts of the job description?
Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: resourcing@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community.
They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people’s views and needs.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.
If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
How To Apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact resourcing@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too. Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
Principal Public Rights of Way Officer in Hereford employer: Hoople Group
Contact Detail:
Hoople Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Public Rights of Way Officer in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching Herefordshire Council and its initiatives. Show that you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to the transformation of public rights of way services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to team management and stakeholder engagement. We want to see how you handle real-life scenarios, so think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Public Rights of Way Officer in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Public Rights of Way Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially your technical knowledge and team management experience.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've improved service delivery or built positive relationships with stakeholders in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, be clear and concise. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. This will help us understand your qualifications and experiences better.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can find all the details you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical and legal knowledge regarding Public Rights of Way. Familiarise yourself with the key legislation and recent changes in policies that affect the role. This will show that you're not just interested, but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Officer, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your ability to build positive relationships and foster collaboration. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, come prepared with ideas on how to enhance collaboration. Think about how you can engage with Parish Footpath Officers and community groups effectively. Showing that you value their input will set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision
Be ready to discuss your long-term strategies for improving Public Rights of Way services. Think about innovative ideas or procedures you've implemented before and how they could apply to this role. This will highlight your proactive approach and commitment to service delivery.
