Location: Based at Bainbridge with travel across the Coast-to-Coast Nature Trail area (with blended working opportunities)
Hours: Part time, 22.5 Hours per week (0.6 FTE)
Contract: Fixed term for 12 months, with the potential of an extension
Salary: £29,540 to £36,36 pro rata per annum

"We will transform the Coast-to-Coast National Trail into a vital corridor for nature recovery, connecting communities and landscapes to deliver lasting biodiversity and resilience across Northern England."

We are looking for an experienced Community Engagement Officer to lead on the development and delivery of engagement activities for the Coast-to-Coast Nature Trail Project.

This project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to. We’re exploring the creation of an extensive wildlife rich corridor of at least 60,000 hectare, along and around the newly designated Coast to Coast National Trail. The route spans three National Parks, a National Landscape and two Heritage Coasts, and has recently benefitted from upgraded signage and surfacing.

Around 77 per cent of the route lies within protected, nature-rich landscapes and Local Nature Recovery Strategies highlight key stretches as vital ecological links across a range of important habitats.

This project will assess the feasibility of creating a wildlife rich corridor to protect habitats and wildlife and create a coordinated, resilient and financially sustainable foundation for future nature recovery. New engaging materials will help trail users understand the landscapes they pass through and the role the route has in restoring nature at scale.

It will deliver three key outputs to support a further application to National Lottery Heritage Fund for delivering the next phase of the nature trail project. These are:
• People centred nature recovery
o Kickstarting a vision for a model of people-centred conservation, stakeholder engagement will be at the heart of the project.
• Structures for landscape scale delivery
o Embedding strong and inclusive structures and ways of working that will ensure that is in the best place to deliver at scale, with a framework that operates across the full length and area of the trail.
• Data foundations
o Habitat survey methods trial and a baselining of habitats and species completed, data gaps identified as well as ecological connectivity opportunities highlighted

The role will work closely with and support a talented team of specialists, rangers and partners, across the protected landscapes of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and North York Moors; as well as National Trails UK and colleagues from Westmorland Furness Council, Cumberland Council and North Yorkshire Council. The role will be working closely with a Project Officer based in the Lake District National Park and the National Trails Data and Evidence Officer. Vacancies for these roles are available on each of these partners’ websites.

This is a part-time role (22.5 hours per week), fixed term for 12 months. The role is based at Bainbridge with travel across the Coast-to-Coast Nature Trail area and blended working opportunities. Join the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and help shape the future.

About Us

We are the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, an organisation that protects, enhances and promotes the immense beauty, wildlife and character of the Yorkshire Dales. From expansive heather moorland tops to crags, waterfalls, and distinctive pastoral valleys, each part of the Dales has its own unique charm.

The Benefits

• Salary: £29,540 to £36,363 pro rata, per annum
• Generous leave: 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Flexible working: including flexitime and blended working options
• Wellbeing benefits: Subsidised Healthcare scheme, cycle to work scheme and staff discounts
• Free parking at Authority operated car parks

The Role

We’re looking for a Community Engagement Officer to join our team and lead engagement activities for the Coast-to-Coast Nature Trail Project, helping people experience and connect with the route in new and inclusive ways. You will:
• Lead and coordinate engagement activities, including events, workshops and site visits, handling all planning, preparation and follow-up.
• Build relationships with community groups, partners, businesses and landowners to support collaborative action for nature recovery.
• Support Farming Officers with mapping and promoting landowner engagement.
• Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plans, creating an inclusive baseline that captures interests, influence and needs along the route.
• Test new approaches through pilot activities and knowledge exchange to shape best practice for future phases of the project.
• Work with partners to design accessible communication and consultation approaches.
• Promote project achievements across digital, media and face-to-face channels.
• Recruit and supervise volunteers involved in the project.
• Manage assigned project budgets, including preparing bids, forecasts and supporting grant claims.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:
• Experience working with diverse communities to create meaningful engagement in environmental or heritage projects.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of partners and audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence facilitating discussions and group activities.
• Experience designing and evaluating consultation or participation activities.
• Knowledge of land management, conservation or protected landscapes
• Strong awareness of health and safety needs when delivering outdoor activities
• Experience of supervising volunteers.

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Access to a car or access to a means of mobility support to meet the travel demands of the post (if driving must have a current valid driving licence and appropriate business insurance) is essential.

Join Our Team!

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Rebecca Greenfield, Head of Access and Engagement, on 01756 751626 or rebecca.greenfield@yorkshiredales.org.uk

Closing date: 11pm on Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Interview date: during week commencing Monday, 4 May 2026.