Environment Officer

**Overview**:
This is a superb opportunity to help develop and deliver carbon reduction projects for Bedford Borough Council to help meet its 2030 Carbon Neutral target. You will utilise your passion for sustainability to engage with a variety of departments across thecouncil, external stakeholders, businesses and community groups.

**Who are Bedford Borough Council**:
Bedford Borough is located within the East of England between Milton Keynes and Cambridge. It benefits from fast rail links with London and is well placed for access from both the M1 and A1. The local authority is a unitary council and currently has a populationof 168,751 with 72,900 households. The Borough itself is largely centred on the town of Bedford, which sits along both sides of the River Ouse, but it also encompasses a large rural area to the north of Bedford which boarders the County of Northampton.

The role will sit within the Waste and Resources service area and work with the Energy and Water Technical Officer.

**Values**:

- Passion for Sustainability
- Good Communication
- Enthusiasm
- Integrity and Respect
- Commitment to delivering environmental projects to reduce the councils CO2

**We need**:
We need a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to help support the development and delivery of climate change adaptation and mitigation projects for Bedford Borough Council. You will work collectively within the Energy Team and other departments/ servicesto help the Council achieve its 2030 Carbon Neutral target.

**Essential**:

- Passionate about sustainability and climate change and excited to make a difference by motivating change.
- Able to evaluate data in excel and produce and present reports.
- Knowledgeable on energy management, fuel poverty and climate change including theory, practise, policy, procedure and legislation.
- Highly literate and fluent in English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Have experience of setting up, managing an event, promoting using a variety of media (social media, flyers, leaflets)
- Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills within a team and with key stakeholders.
- Able to work independently, manage projects and make decisions within defined procedures.
- A Qualified driver - driving license essential.

**Desirable**:

- Experienced in researching, analysing and interpreting technical information.
- Able to demonstrate project management knowledge and skills
- Highly effective interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills to persuade others of the need for urgent change on environmental (climate) issues.

**What’s in it for you?**

This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with and address climate change in a tangible way. You will be working with likeminded people and engaging with the local community on a range of challenges and opportunities.

You will build on a variety of core skills including developing and sustaining effective working relationships, communication, negotiation and influencing behaviour change.

You will also be enrolled on to the Change Agents UK skills development programme where you can benefit fromthe online learning academy andworkshops on Sustainability & Skills for the Future, Project Management, Systems Thinking & Creativity.

**Key responsibilities**:
-Research and develop climate change mitigation and adaptation projects

-Support all areas of the Council on the route to its 2030 Carbon Neutral target.

-Analyse existing data and energy performance of council and community buildings

-Engage with the local community and schools on energy efficiency, promoting funding routes - specifically the Council’s Climate Change Fund (CCF)

-Organise events, newsletters and media communications and develop campaigns

-Assist with day-to-day management of energy and water queries, working with suppliers, schools, and others to problem solve and encourage reduced energy and water consumption.

-Take a proactive approach to identifying issues and organising workload

-Build a strong relationship with colleagues and customers to influence policy and behaviours

**Key Details**:
**Job Title**: Environment Officer (Carbon Reduction)

**Location**: Bedford

**Employer**: Change Agents UK

**Client**: Bedford Borough Council

**Salary**: £22,000 per annum

**Start Date**: ASAP

**Contact**: 12-months fixed term