Countryside Officer in Reigate

Basis: Permanent, Full Time, 36 hours per week

As a multi-disciplinary role, the Countryside Officer will lead on setting the strategy, as well as the maintenance and protection of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s countryside, in addition to supporting the Arboriculture Officer on tree-related matters. The role will include the organisation and implementation of works highlighted within management plans, whilst ensuring due regard to current environmental practices and policies.

Some of the duties include:

• Lead on the preparation and review of site management plans and work programmes and ensure that these are implemented effectively.
• Manage effective relationships with contractors, statutory bodies, the public, community groups, partner organisations to enable the delivery of services.
• Manage the upkeep of country parks and woodlands, including designated sites, in line with statutory acts and guidance, industry guidance and best practices.
• Produce reports, funding applications, and management recommendations based on monitoring data and site surveys.
• Coordinate and conduct accurate flora and fauna monitoring, ecological surveys, and condition assessments, at rural locations as necessary to inform management decisions.
• Provide professional advice on environmental improvements and conservation management within the service unit and wherever necessary.

You will be a highly motivated and dedicated individual with a passion for the environment and a commitment to conservation. The successful candidate should possess technical and practical knowledge of all aspects of countryside management, and will preferably have a degree in environmental science, ecology, or a related field, and relevant experience in countryside management or conservation, or relevant equivalent qualification.

You will have experience in developing and implementing conservation and management plans, ensuring the protection and preservation of natural habitats and species and compliance with environmental legislation, working with local communities and partners to promote sustainable land use and conservation, providing advice and guidance to the public on environmental and conservation issues, conducting surveys and research to inform decision making.

A full valid driving licence (manual licence) is required for use with fleet vehicles.

If you meet these requirements and are interested in a challenging and rewarding role in countryside management, we would love to hear from you. In exchange for your expertise, experience and enthusiasm, we will offer support in continuing your personal and career development, in addition to providing a wide range of employment linked benefits. We provide you with competitive annual leave, and contribute 22.10% towards the LGPS pension scheme. You will also have access to a range of discounts including local and high street stores, and salary sacrifice schemes including a cycle lease scheme, and ‘Better’ leisure centre membership.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Michael Hill (Greenspaces Operations Manager) on 01737 276391 or Michael.hill@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, supporting the guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ex-armed forces candidates, who meet the essential criteria for the role.

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications. All submitted information—whether supported by AI or not—must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications. Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.

Closing date: Wednesday 3rd June 2026 at 23:59. Interview date: To be confirmed.

Our great working environment and the values and behaviours of every individual and team in the Council, help to evolve the culture of our organisation to become more commercial, innovative and embracing of change. Successful applicants to our career opportunities will be able to demonstrate they share the values and behaviours we seek in our organisation.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is part of the government’s plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) scheduled to take place in April 2027. This means the current two-tier system, where services are split between Surrey County Council and district and borough councils like Reigate, will be replaced with two unitary councils made up of East and West Surrey, which will handle all local services. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council will form part of the new East Surrey unitary authority.

Although this may lead to some uncertainty for anyone considering a role with us, this process will take some time and during that time we still need to provide services. When local government is reorganised, most staff will transfer to the new council(s) which may offer additional opportunities for career development and variety as part of a larger organisation.