Job Description

We are looking for an organised and reliable individual to join our team here at the North Pennines National Landscape in Stanhope until December 2026.
THE ROLE
North Pennines Landscape Connections is a programme of work aimed at helping farmers and land managers work together to make the most of the new funding schemes which will help Nature Recovery and business resilience. At the same time the programme aims to support farmer hosts to develop relationships with groups and individuals who have previously struggled to access the countryside, and to build an active network of participants to support this process.
The Landscapes Connections programme is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
WHAT IS INVOLVED

• To connect groups who find it hard to access the North Pennines with farmers who are willing to host them for visits, to nurture these relationships and support good experiences for these groups.

• To build capacity in the farming community to support more engagement with nature on farms.

• To develop a network or networks of active participants (farmers, local residents, visiting groups) who can provide learning for the programme.

• To test and evaluate different ways of working, using the learning to inform the application for the delivery stage of this work.

• You will work to develop relationships with groups who are currently unlikely to access the landscape of the North Pennines for a variety of reasons, and to facilitate new and meaningful relationships between these groups and individuals and the farming communities of the North Pennines.

We encourage you to contact Andy Lees via email at or Sarah Tooze at to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need to be educated to Degree level or equivalent qualification and have relevant experience.
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.
BENEFITS AND REWARDS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.

• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.

• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).

• Hybrid working (home and office working).

• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.

• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.

• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.

• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).

• Discounted DCC gym membership.

• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.

• Trade Union membership.

• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
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HYBRID WORKING
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.
We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.
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INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on 22nd September 2025.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.
Please use the 'Person Specification' section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.
If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email on or telephone 03000 262727 - Option 4,
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