Senior Climate Change Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to help Buckinghamshire Council address environmental challenges by taking on an important role in delivering our response to climate change. Buckinghamshire Council is recruiting for a Senior Climate Change Officer The position sits within an expanding team and is critical to helping us achieve our ‘net-zero’ ambitions.

About the role

The Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy was adopted in 2021 and the Climate Response Team is tasked with helping fulfill commitments set out in this document. The purpose of this role will be to lead and/or support the identification, development and delivery of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. It’s anticipated that the postholder will focus on transport and Council fleet emissions reduction, renewable/alternative energy projects (N.B. typically land based), and finance for climate change related projects, as well as other initiatives pursuant to achieving the aims of the Strategy. This will involve working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• Take the lead in transitioning the Council’s fleet vehicles to low/zero emission equivalents (including overseeing the provision of alternative fuelling/electric vehicle charging infrastructure).
• Deliver public, private, and business transport emissions reduction and small scale renewable energy projects.
• Identify and develop appropriate initiatives to secure finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation work.  
• Feed into internal policy making and supporting other teams and departments to address climate change in their activities

As new opportunities to address climate change emerge, we expect that the range of activities and projects will also change over time.

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements*.

*subject to current Government Covid-19 Guidance

About you

We are looking for a project manager with substantial career experience regarding reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and a full understanding of transport emission reduction interventions.

You will be conversant with climate change policies, financial models, renewable energy generation technologies and options to secure financial support for projects. Experience of preparing tender specifications and managing budgets is essential.

Other information

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate work with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme and the opportunity to gain membership to Costco. We have discounted gym memberships, Travel discounts with Arriva and Chiltern Railways and much more.

APPLY HERE