Definitive Map Assistant

Protect it. Shape it. Enjoy it. Come to Dorset and be a part of it

Dorset is a beautiful and iconic area, with historic market towns, wonderful countryside and miles of stunning coast as well as a place of innovation and growth.

We are a bold and ambitious council, taking Dorset into the future.  It’s a great council to work for, and you will be joining a friendly, supportive team.

Employee benefits include a local government pension, generous annual leave allowance, flexible working and wellbeing support.

What’s in it for you:

This is your chance to join our specialist Definitive Map team that deals with all matters relating to the statutory map of rights of way – including modification orders and proposals that routes are included.   The team also deals with the registration of commons and greens.

Our main office base is in Dorchester but we are all set up for hybrid working and you can work remotely or in the office, as long as you can be available for necessary meetings and site visits.

What you can expect to be doing

In this role you will be supporting the definitive map technical officers with a range of administrative and research work. This will include validating applications for path diversions, preparing legal paperwork for public inquiries, and responding to routine correspondence.

About you

We’re looking for someone with a good attention to detail and who is confident with IT, ideally with experience of using GIS for creating maps.  You’ll also have good communication skills as the role will include talking and writing to landowners, interest groups and members of the public.

Within the role, you will:

• manage your own workload, with support from officers in the team
• develop your understanding of the legal processes relating to the definitive map
• utilise IT skills including GIS
• demonstrate good written and oral communication skills
• work effectively within a team
• be adaptable and able to balance competing demands
• share our values of Respect, Together, Accountability, Openness and Curiosity

This is a part-time role at 24.5 hours per week (0.66 FTE), though we are happy to hear from people who would prefer to work slightly different hours.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed. 

Please contact Vanessa Penny, Definitive Map Manager, by emailing [email protected] or 01305 224719 - if you would like to discuss the role further.

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.