Three year fixed-term contract.

The Council has recently adopted an Environment Strategy for the District. We have a five year plan to raise awareness and tackle the key challenges of climate change and the efficient use of resources along with protecting and improving our environment.

We require an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to provide an innovative and exciting approach to environmental education, conveying a tailored message to a wide range of audiences including schools, community groups, businesses and the general public.

You will also contribute to the implementation of the Council’s internal ‘Green Champions’ initiative to promote sustainability to staff within the organisation.

This post within Huntingdonshire District Council is exempt from the provision of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applicants will be required to complete an enhanced Criminal Records check.

For an informal discussion about either environmental position, please contact Mr Chris Jablonski, Environment Team Leader, 01480 388388.

1. Promote environmental awareness in the district, through publicity, education training and liaison with community groups, schools, youth groups and businesses.
2. To liaise internally and externally with partners to develop co-ordinated environmental information campaigns in the district.
3. Write press releases and prepare promotional materials both printed and web-based.
4. Give talks and presentations to a wide range of Community Groups and supporting projects undertaken in conjunction with these groups.
5. Assist schools with their own environmental projects such as the national Eco-Schools initiative.
6. To contribute to the implementation of the Council’s ‘Green Champions’ initiative to promote sustainability and ‘greening the organisation’ to staff.
7. Responding to enquiries from the general public and partner organisations.
8. Any other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.

Knowledge

Essential

• Good working knowledge of the principle of environmental sustainability.
• Knowledge of issues surrounding climate change, efficient use of resources and protecting and improving the built and natural environment.
• Sound understanding of current approaches to environmental education.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Environmental Management Systems.
• Knowledge of the EnCams Eco-schools initiative.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills (written and oral) with the ability to communicate at all levels.
• An aptitude for publicity and promotional work.
• The ability to work unsupervised and use own initiative.
• IT literacy – MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint an Web authoring/publishing.

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of delivering high quality environmental communication and learning materials for a variety of audiences, including schools and community groups.
• Experience in writing press and media releases to convey environmental messages.

Desirable

• Experience of communicating environmental messages to staff and facilitating staff training.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or relevant qualification in an environmental discipline.

Desirable

• Teaching qualification or relevant experience of National Curriculum subjects.

Complexity and Creativity

• Produce high quality learning resources for use with schools, community groups and at a wide variety of public events.
• Develop opportunities for a wide range of community groups to engage with the Council’s environmental agenda.
• To maximise opportunities for positive publicity for the Council’s environment strategy and related environmental activities.

Judgement and Decision Making

• Ensure promotional material and campaigns properly reflect current council environmental policies.
• Ability to act with tact and diplomacy and to build relationships with community groups.
• Knowledge of when to seek advice from senior staff.

Contacts     (Internal 40%, External 60%)

Internal

• Staff associated with environmental projects/initiatives, managers responsible for key business processes and awareness raising for all HDC Staff.

External

• The public, schools, community groups, local press and other media, partner organisations.

Other

• A current driving licence.
• A flexible approach to working hours.
• The post holder is required to complete a Criminal Records check.