Environmental and Sustainability Officer

Job summary

The purpose of the Environmental & Sustainability Officer role is to assist in the management of energy, water and carbon emissions throughout the Trust estate and that of our partner sites. This efficient management will lead to reduced usage/production, cost savings and an improved patient experience. This is a post suitable for an individual who wishes to develop and extend specialised skills and knowledge the field of environmental management/sustainability within a large NHS provider Trust.

Main duties of the job

The Environmental & Sustainability Officer will be responsible for assisting the Environmental & Sustainability Manager in the development and implementation of the Trust's plans to reduce the environmental impact of the organisation's activity in accordance with local and national statutory and regulatory targets.

The role will include development and delivery of sustainability behaviour change and staff engagement programmes, supporting sustainability communications both internally and externally, and supporting a portfolio of projects that support the Green Plan.

The Sustainability Officer will be expected to work flexibly across WWL sites as required for project delivery and be able to develop effective working relationships with clinical staff and stakeholders to progress the sustainability agenda.

About us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

To assist in implementing current and emerging legislation under the direction of the Environmental & Sustainability Manager

Liaise with the Environmental & Sustainability Manager to ensure the Utility Contracts are managed appropriately and establish a good understanding of the energy usage for Trust sites. Produce statistics to identify trends and anomalies and project annual spend for each site in relation to water, gas and electricity consumption.

To work with the Environmental & Sustainability Manager to re-energise the sustainability agenda and liaise with colleagues across all business streams to provide help and advice where appropriate.

Liaise as necessary with multi-disciplinary teams within the Trust and external contractors as directed.

Support implementation of environmental policies on wards & within departments; may be expected to undertake environmental & sustainability training

Act as one of the Trusts experts on sustainability issues and provide advice on best practice

Assist the Environmental & Sustainability Manager with any projects that require clerical input, including research, administration work and financial work

Work with the energy suppliers to find solutions to problems relating to supply or metering

Responsible for establishing and maintaining accurate records and data to assist with the completion of a range of mandatory returns, including ERIC, CQUIIN and other returns as required.

Other environmental, sustainability or energy related duties as directed by the Environmental & Sustainability Manager

Communications and Key Working Relationships

To maintain a high profile within the Trust to educate staff and visitors on how they can assist with energy conservation and the environmental impact with the aim to improve awareness and, where possible, reduce costs.

Be able to translate specialist and complex sustainability and environmental knowledge into a language that can be understood by everyone.

Attend committees and groups in the absence of the Environmental & Sustainability Manager.

Assist with Freedom of Information enquiries relating to environmental and sustainability issues.

Responsibility for Finance

Assist in the monitoring, recording and querying of utility invoices.

Working to deadlines and within budget to improve environmental performance in all areas of the Trust, including but not limited to transport, communication, decontamination, purchasing, catering, energy, waste and water

Work with the energy supplier to find solutions to billing queries

Raising necessary orders on Oracle, updating new suppliers forms and ensuring invoices are released for payment.

Ensuring rebates are obtained from contractors and internal Trust sites.

Ensure compliance with Trust standing orders and standing financial instructions, DOH guidance, codes of practice and good professional practice.

Responsibility for Human Resources

Attend courses as directed, ensure compliance with mandatory training

Compliance with Trust and Local procedures

Maintain Personal Professional Development in order to remain up to date with developments in appropriate equipment, systems and legislation that will ensure the Trust is accessing the most cost effective, environmental processes and systems.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

To communicate with and train and educate staff at all levels within the organisation on energy management.

Raising the profile of environmental and sustainability issues within the Trust.

Work Circumstances & on-call

To travel to Regional and National meetings as required

Work could be outside in all weather conditions when checking utility meters or EV Chargers.

Flexibility will be required as could be expected to work outside core hours.

Standard Duties & Responsibilities

The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

All Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust staff employed within Clinical Environments and have contact with children, vulnerable adults; service users and their families must familiarise themselves, be aware of their responsibilities and adhere to Local Safeguarding Childrens Board, Local Safeguarding Adult Board and WWL Procedures for Safeguarding and Protecting Children which are available on the Trust Policy Library.

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, employees who are required to interact regularly with the public, both face to face, and by telephone, are required to be able to speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.

Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2016, Data Protection Act 2018 and Information Governance Principles the postholder is not entitled to use for their own benefit or gain, or to divulge to any persons, firm or other organisation whatsoever, any confidential information belonging to the Trust or relating to the Trusts affairs or dealings which may come to their knowledge during employment.

Compliance with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections and related guidance the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the reduction and management of healthcare related infection in all of their actions. This entails compliance with Trust Infection Prevention and Control policy and related Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs); along with risk assessment of all situations; as staff have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Staff must be fully compliant with Trust Infection prevention and Control eLearning policy.

All applicants to any post within the Trust are required to declare any involvement either directly or indirectly with any firm, company, relevant person or organisation which has any interest with the Trust, the services provided by the Trust or any element of patient care. Failure to do so may result in an employment application being rejected, or if it is discovered after appointment the omission of such information could lead to dismissal. This includes any form of private practice relating to medical care.

Compliance with Trust Policies and Procedures including the Code of Conduct.

Compliance with Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) The SFIs identify the financial responsibilities which apply to everyone working for the Foundation Trust and its constituent organisations including trading units. Failure to comply with Standing Financial Instructions can in certain circumstances be regarded as a disciplinary matter that could result in dismissal. Compliance with the SFIs is monitored by the Finance Department and post holders are therefore required to understand their responsibilities outlined within this document and ensure compliance with its instructions.

Responsibility for all records (including patient health, financial, personal and administrative) that they gather or use as part of their work within the trust. The records may be paper, electronic, microfiche, audio or videotapes, x-ray images.

Any other duties appropriate to the grade. The range of duties and responsibilities outlined above are indicative only and are intended to give a broad flavour of the range and type of duties that will be allocated. They are subject to modification in the light of changing service demands and the development requirements of the postholder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Minimum level NVQ level 3, an equivalent qualification or experience in a relevant subject area such as environmental management, science, engineering or healthcare

Desirable

Educated to HNC level or similar in relevant subject area

Experience

Essential

Identifying and addressing environmental and sustainability issues within an organisation Engaging with staff on behaviour change projects Production of engaging communications Dealing with complex data sets

Desirable

Working in a large public sector or healthcare organisation. Understanding of auditing processes, particularly Energy Auditing Communicating at a senior level Experience within an Estates and Facilities Management service

Skills

Essential

IT literate with the ability to utilise Microsoft excel, word, and e-mail. Strong interpersonal skills to support the development of excellent working relationships Good written and oral communication skills Ability to work under own initiative, when needed and prioritise work streams

Desirable

Full Driving licence and access to a vehicle for work Microsoft Excel specialist

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of environmental, sustainability and global climate change issues Knowledge of UK environmental legislation Knowledge of energy and greenhouse gas reduction measures

Desirable

Understanding of NHS sustainability guidance

Additional

Essential

Required to travel across Trust sites & community premises. Ability to work flexible hours to suit job requirements. oSpeak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

Desirable

Knowledge of relevant NHS policies and procedures

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