National Trail Officer

Norfolk County Council; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking a National Trail Officer to manage and maintain the iconic Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. The role involves monitoring trail conditions, engaging with the public, and ensuring equal access to the trails. Flexibility is offered with hybrid working options, along with a competitive salary of £34,434 to £36,363 per annum. Ideal candidates will have a full driving license and experience in public access management, contributing positively to Norfolk's countryside and coastline.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Flexible working opportunities

Employee discounts programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Must hold a full driving license.
• Ability to travel across Norfolk for site visits.
• Experience in public engagement and trail management.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain trail conditions.
• Engage with the public about the trails.
• Perform site visits and audits.

Skills

Understanding of Coastal Access

Public Rights of Way management

Excellent communication skills

Job description

National Trail Officer | 9504 | Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2028 | 37 hours per week | £34,434 to £36,363 per annum (Scale H) | Norwich / Holt / Hybrid

Are you looking for a role that takes you out and about across the Norfolk countryside and coastline? Are you keen to get hands‑on with the day‑to‑day management of our National Trails?

Norfolk is home to two amazing flagship trails: the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. Along with the future King Charles III England Coast Path, they belong to England’s family of National Trails – created over the past sixty years to provide access to the country’s finest and most spectacular landscapes.

National Trails offer so much more than just routes for walking, cycling or horse‑riding. They provide opportunities for people to get out and about in nature and connect with the world around them. They offer a moment of peace in busy modern lives, the opportunity to leave the car behind on the daily commute and a chance for a free adventure (small or large) with family and friends.

These exceptional assets need careful management, and we’re looking for a National Trail Officer to help the team deliver inspirational, well‑promoted, high‑quality routes. This is a rare opportunity to spend time working on the Norfolk Coast, which includes a National Landscape and Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network.

Working in a small, but skilled and hardworking team, you will be monitoring and maintaining trail conditions and engaging with the public. You will have a good understanding of Coastal Access, Public Rights of Way and their management, and will be involved in site visits, audits and repairing defects, as well as office‑based tasks.

Importantly, you will also help us to improve equity of access – to enable as many people as possible to experience the landscape by looking for opportunities to improve accessibility. You will also play a key role in establishing the final stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path between Hunstanton and Weybourne.

We offer flexible working patterns and locations, with the opportunity to be based at offices in Norwich or Holt, as well as home working. We want to see our employees thrive – offering training and professional development, creating a positive work environment and a strong team ethic that focuses on delivering a high level of service.

The post‑holder must hold a full driving licence and be confident and comfortable traveling to locations across Norfolk, as required.

If you’d like to know more about this post, please email Helen Terry [e-mail]

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast‑track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi‑time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:
• ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
• A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
• Relocation expenses (where applicable)
• An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
• Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
• Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra‑low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
• A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work‑life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job description and person specification to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 13 January 2026 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 20 January 2026 23:59