We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated individual to lead Dorset Council's small but dynamic Gypsy and Traveller (G&T) Team. This is a full-time position, offering an exciting opportunity to play a central role in managing Gypsy and Traveller sites and encampments across the county. What you’ll be doing: You’ll take the lead in delivering Dorset Council's Gypsy and Traveller service, working independently while being part of a dedicated and professional team with a strong customer focus. Your role will include: Acting as the council’s key representative on Gypsy and Traveller matters, engaging with the community, councillors, senior officers, and external agencies while ensuring compliance with government legislation and policies. Managing unauthorised encampments, including liaising with the police and implementing legal procedures such as Section 62, Section 77, or Civil Procedure 55 as necessary. This will involve occasional out-of-hours and weekend work. Overseeing the management of four permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites and a transit site, ensuring facilities are well-maintained and repaired as needed. Maintaining and maximising the G&T budget, including collecting rent and deposits for 50 pitches and seeking external funding opportunities. Developing, writing, and implementing council policies to reflect new government guidance and legislation. Leading and supporting a small, dedicated team. Preparing reports, witness statements, and attending court when required. The role is primarily office-based with the opportunity for some remote working and site visits. About you: To succeed in this role, you will have: A qualification at HNC/HND/Degree level or equivalent, along with significant relevant experience. In-depth knowledge of Gypsy and Traveller law, national and local policies, and strong project and property management skills. Proven leadership experience and the ability to manage significant areas of work effectively. Strong communication skills, with the ability to handle complex and sensitive issues diplomatically, including working with individuals in challenging circumstances. Experience managing budgets and a proactive approach to securing funding. A highly organised, adaptable, and self-motivated approach, with a commitment to teamwork and achieving shared goals. Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft 365, GIS, and databases. Further Information The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken and written English is essential for the post. For more information contact: Giles Nicholson, [email protected], 01258 456970 Interviews will take place on 24th February. This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed. This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders. About Us We’re passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception. At Dorset Council we: provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents have ambitious aspirations are excited about our future care about Dorset and all the people who live here know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success You will: have access to a range of employee benefits be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. We have a commitment to equality and welcome applications from everyone. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role. We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments. This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert. We may provide specific information in a context statement if relevant. Find out more about how to apply .