Quick overview
Job description
Job Title: Volunteer Support Officer (Paths) - South/South East England
Based at: South/Southeast England
Contract: Fixed term - 24 months
Hours: 35 hours per week
Team: Programmes and Delivery
This role sits within a pay grade with a pay range of £27,694 to £44,515 per annum. The salary on appointment will be set at the lower end of the pay range, to a maximum of £31,834 per annum, depending on the candidate's skills and experience. This approach aims to ensure fair compensation for new hires while maintaining alignment with the structured pay scale for the role.
About us
Since 1935, we’ve been doing everything we can to make sure everyone everywhere can enjoy nature on foot. We lead the way, and the walks, for a community of over 100,000 walkers. And we help thousands more every year find their feet out in the open to boost their wellbeing naturally.
The Ramblers is a charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces and to preserving and improving hundreds of thousands of miles of well-loved paths, tracks and trails across England, Scotland, and Wales. We're committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers.
Purpose of Role
At Ramblers we work to empower volunteers to take action to protect their local paths and access rights.
As a member of the Programmes team, the Volunteer Support Officer (Paths) will strengthen support for Ramblers’ path volunteers across England and Wales – increasing the impact, reach and sustainability of the Path Protection and Path Improvement volunteer programmes.
The role will provide practical advice, training and support to volunteers, helping them protect and improve local paths, develop their skills, engage their communities and deliver lasting change.
Key priorities will be to work alongside volunteers to understand local needs, identify shared priorities and develop sustainable, volunteer-led action plans for each area. In doing so, the Volunteer Support Officer will help to build stronger connections between volunteers, local authorities and other stakeholders – while ensuring volunteers can access the support, resources and funding they need.
Key responsibilities
Volunteer support and development
Build and maintain positive, supportive relationships with path volunteers.
Provide timely and accurate advice on paths, access and related issues.
Support volunteers to recruit, welcome, onboard and retain volunteers from their local communities.
Create opportunities for volunteers to connect, exchange knowledge, share good practice and develop new partnerships.
Identify volunteer support needs and help volunteers to access appropriate resources, guidance and development opportunities.
Training delivery
Plan and deliver engaging in-person and online training on paths, public access and related topics.
Increase awareness and uptake of training opportunities, including Know Your Rights training and Footpath Forums.
Support the rollout of new volunteer training and resources.
Impact measurement and reporting
Support volunteers to understand, use and embed new impact reporting tools and methodologies.
Build volunteer confidence in capturing and communicating the difference their work makes.
Use feedback and reporting to identify emerging needs, celebrate achievements and inform future support.
Local planning and stakeholder engagement
Work collaboratively with volunteers to understand local challenges, opportunities and priorities.
Support each area with local action-planning to reflect local needs.
Help volunteers identify and engage relevant local stakeholders and build relationships that support their priorities.
Help volunteers explore and access funding opportunities for local infrastructure improvements, including the Path Accessibility Fund.
Support the implementation of local action plans, with emphasis on volunteer ownership, succession planning and long-term sustaina0bility.
Events and partnership working
Coordinate planning and delivery of Paths Partnership events in England.
Support event planning and delivery – including liaison with venues, suppliers, volunteers, speakers and delegates.
Work collaboratively with colleagues and relevant partners to support the wider objectives of the path volunteer programmes.
Other
Work collaboratively as a member of the Programmes and Delivery team.
Engage and proactively develop excellent working relationships across the organisation.
Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required of the post.
The person
Essential criteria
A proven track record of working with and supporting volunteers.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages to different audiences.
Strong facilitation skills and the ability to bring people together, encourage participation and support collaborative decision-making.
Experience of delivering training, guidance or support resources, both in person and online.
The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to achieve shared goals.
Experience of planning, organising and coordinating events or activities.
Strong organisational and planning skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities.
Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to help others identify practical solutions.
An understanding of community volunteering, local stakeholder engagement, working with local authorities or volunteer-led improvement projects.
Experience of supporting volunteers to secure funding, develop local plans or measure and communicate impact.
Willingness and ability to travel across England or Wales
Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends, including overnight stays where required
Desirable criteria
An interest in, or knowledge of, public rights of way, public access, the environment or planning.
Values and Behaviours
Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of. Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people.
Inclusive
We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.
Inspiring
We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.
Empowering
We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.
Responsible
We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 29 November 2026. First round interviews (on-line) expected to be on Monday 7 December 2026.