Climate Change Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to help Buckinghamshire Council address environmental challenges by taking on an important role in delivering our response to climate change. Buckinghamshire Council is recruiting for a Climate Change Officer. The position sits within an expanding team and is critical to helping us achieve our ‘net-zero’ ambitions.

About the role

The Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy were adopted in 2021 and the Climate Response Team is tasked with helping fulfil commitments set out in this document. The purpose of this role will be to lead and/or support the identification, development and delivery of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. It’s anticipated that the postholder will focus on attitude and behavioural change initiatives, internal and external communication and engagement regarding climate change matters, policy and process development, and community projects, as well as other initiatives pursuant to achieving the aims of the Strategy. This will involve working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

Plan and implement climate change communication activity across a wide variety of channels 

Take the lead in ensuring the successful adoption of environmentally friendly behaviours of internal and external stakeholders that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Be the first point of contact for and manage responses to external enquiries regarding climate change matters

Support and guide climate change mitigation and/or adaptation community projects

Progress the development and implementation of policies and processes (e.g. green procurement policies) that will help facilitate the achievement of net zero carbon emissions ambitions in Buckinghamshire

As new opportunities to address climate change emerge, we expect that the range of activities and projects will also change over time. 

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements*.

*subject to current Government Covid-19 Guidance

About you

We are looking for a competent project manager with relevant career experience in addressing climate change. You will have excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills.

You will be conversant with climate change mitigation/adaptation interventions and existing policies relating to climate change. Experience in managing budgets, sales and/or grant funding is essential. A thorough understanding of the role attitude/behavioural change plays in addressing climate change and/or experience of the process, policy development is desirable. 

Other information

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate work with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme and the opportunity to gain membership to Costco. We have discounted gym memberships, Travel discounts with Arriva and Chiltern Railways and much more.

APPLY HERE