Energy and Low Carbon Project Development Officer - Community Energy

Essex is committed to taking ambitious steps to address climate action. The Essex Climate Action Commission has brought together a range of climate experts to advise the Council on the steps that must be taken to effectively mitigate the effects of Climate Change and support Essex to reach net zero by 2050.

As part of the Environment and Climate Action function in ECC, the Energy and Low Carbon Team help to develop, scale up and deliver ECC’s Climate Action ambitions, and work across the Environment and Climate Action function, the wider organisation and partner institutions in Essex to achieve shared climate action objectives. An important part of our work is enabling communities to play an important part in achieving net zero through local, community led energy projects.

We believe we can only reach net zero if we bring people with us. Community energy creates opportunities for engaged residents, local ownership and local benefit from renewable energy. The Energy and Low Carbon Project Development Officer will play a critical role in leading ECC’s award winning community energy programme and enabling it to deliver on its commitment to support and grow a thriving network of community energy groups across the county.

We are looking for an ambitious, committed individual who can bring their knowledge of the community energy sector and help us to build on the success to date and create a sustainable and thriving community energy sector in the county.

You must enjoy working in an environment where you are often breaking new ground and have the tenacity to work on a what is a complex and challenging issue. You will need to bring knowledge of the community energy sector, how to support and develop new groups and enable them to develop their business plans. You will be confident in working with elected members, senior managers, communities, the energy network operator and private sector partners to drive forward new projects. You will have an ability to show leadership and identify where ECC can really make a difference, learn from good practice but also bring innovative and fresh thinking.

The Knowledge and Experience you will bring

• Knowledge and experience of the community energy sector, supporting residents, community groups and local councils in leading their own projects and campaigns is essential.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant environmental subject or equivalent by experience and evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area e.g., membership of IEMA.
• Strong communication skills are essential. An ability to communicate openly, in plain English and with confidence on complex topics is essential.
• Ability to champion the community energy sector in the organisation and across partners at a policy level is essential.
• Experience of taking part in innovation projects that help unlock funding and business models for community and local energy is desirable.
• Knowledge of sustainable finance and how it can benefit communities is desirable.
• Shows persistence and resilience. Confident team player who is also able to work on own initiative – action orientated. Professional with a high level of commitment and enthusiasm.
• Has a good ability to prioritise, plan and manage competing demands.
• Support engagement with and consultation on relevant UK government key strategies
• Ability to learn and work with partners across the community energy sector and across local government to share insight and bring good practice from across the sector to Essex.

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

What you should do next

Please click apply now link above.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service 

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk