Community Empowerment Officer

Job description

**Community Empowerment Officer (Oswestry Depave)**

**Salary £30,000**

**Shrewsbury / Oswestry area, Shropshire - Hybrid**

**35 hours per week**

**Fixed Term Contract - until March 2027**

**Closing date: Thursday 27th February**

**Interviews: Thursday March 6th (morning)**

Shropshire Wildlife Trusts’ Oswestry Depave project is looking for a dynamic Community Empowerment Officer to develop, coordinate and manage community depaving projects from start to finish.

The Community Empowerment Officer will engage with local communities and Oswestry Town Council to lead and coordinate community-centred design processes, report on progress and assist in the development of new funding proposals. Supported by the multi-disciplinary Landscape Recovery Department, the officer will also oversee and coordinate contractors and spearhead design and permitting.

Depave aims to empower communities to adapt to climate change through urban re-greening. The removal of impervious surfaces will reduce stormwater pollution and increase the amount of urban space available for habitat and wildlife.

Delivery will provide evidence and learning that can be both transferable and expandable in line with the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) and River Severn Partnership (RSP) objectives.

Our office is based in Shrewsbury and the project based in the Oswestry area, Shropshire. You will work on a hybrid basis but you will need to be able to travel to Oswestry on a regular basis.

**What we're looking for**:

- You will be passionate advocate of community development and nature-based solutions for the biodiversity / climate crises.
- Have an understanding of the principles and practices that underpin effective community organising and have several years’ experience implementing them.
- A proven track record in collaborating with local communities, volunteers, landowners, charities and statutory agencies.
- A demonstrable ability to negotiate and persuade tactfully to secure stakeholder buy in.
- A clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

It would be advantageous to have experience in project management, including budget management and compiling grant claims, as well as experience of managing the delivery of work through coordinating contractors.

**Why work for us - benefits we offer**:

- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays and Service related holiday (pro-rated for part time staff)
- Salary sacrifice benefits
- Life assurance
- Generous pension - company contribution 7%, employee contribution 3%
- Enhanced Sick Pay
- Flexible working policy
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Staff discounts
- Employee away days
- Coaching
- Support with training and development to assist career progression
- Inclusive & supportive work atmosphere

**No enquiries from agencies or for further advertising will be taken.**

**About us**:
Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) has a vision of a thriving natural world, where Shropshire's wildlife and natural habitats play a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people are inspired and empowered to take action for nature. We combine projects across Shropshire (including Telford & Wrekin) with advocacy and campaigning to restore nature and to engage people. We manage over 40 nature reserves and have almost 50 staff, 300 volunteers, and over 9000 members. SWT is an autonomous charity, but we are increasingly working collectively, as part of The Wildlife Trusts (TWT), to ensure that our local actions have a national impact and help to address global issues.