Climate Change Community Engagement Officer

Climate Change Community Engagement Officer £38,150 per annum Fixed term position until March 2028 (Possibility of a further 12 month extension subject to funding) Coleford/Hybrid

Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, responding to the Climate Emergency, protecting nature, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity.

If you're passionate about helping communities, take meaningful action on climate change and nature recovery, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference across the Forest of Dean. As Climate Change Community Engagement Officer, you will play a key role in delivering the Council's Nature and Climate Emergency Strategy by developing and coordinating a district-wide Climate Change Community Engagement Programme. Working closely with local communities, town and parish councils, businesses, partners and stakeholders, you will inspire and support action that contributes to a fair and sustainable transition to a low-carbon future which is resilient to the impacts of climate change.

This varied and rewarding role will see you promoting and supporting projects across a range of themes including nature recovery, renewable energy, home retrofit, sustainable transport, circular economy initiatives, climate resilience, and sustainable food and land management. You will build strong partnerships, support the Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership, administer community grant schemes, identify funding opportunities, commission external project delivery partners, and help communities access the support, resources and funding they need to achieve their climate ambitions.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with experience in climate change, sustainability, community engagement, communications or project delivery. You will be a confident communicator with strong organisational skills, able to build effective relationships and inspire action across a range of audiences. A relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, project management skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and a passion for driving positive environmental change are essential for success in this role.

This is a fixed term position until March 2028. (Possibility of a further 12 month extension subject to funding)

You will need…

• A qualification in a relevant area of expertise, equivalent to a degree or relevant experience of five years;
• Experience of working in a climate change and/ or climate or sustainability engagement/ communications/ project delivery role;
• A sound understanding of climate change evidence, targets, timescales, and basis for action, as well as an appreciation of the issues, challenges and variation in knowledge and perspectives;
• Ability to communicate effectively, transfer knowledge and motivate action and behavioural change, working in different contexts and with different types of audience;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders towards the achievement of common goals and outcomes.
• Ability to remain calm and confident when dealing with challenging customers and environments.

Special Conditions…

• You will be expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service (we operate a flexitime system).
• There may be a requirement to work at other locations to meet the needs of the business.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Ability to travel / access to a vehicle for work purposes.

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

Vacancies can close earlier than stated if a high number of applications have been received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

What we can do for you

• Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
• Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
• 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
• In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
• Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
• Generous contributory local government pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
• Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements