Overview This is an exciting new opportunity to help Buckinghamshire Council address climate change by ensuring that we have the energy infrastructure needed to enable our net zero transition. The role will focus on the project work to deliver energy and climate projects while also working on energy and climate related aspects of Planning. The role is within our Climate Response Team, who work to reduce carbon emissions through the delivery of our Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy. About Us The Climate Response Team are tasked with co-ordinating delivery of the Council’s Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy, adopted in 2021, which sets out our pathway to reaching net zero no later than 2050. This role will play a key part in delivery of high profile projects including new electricity infrastructure for Aylesbury Garden Town. Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. About The Role The Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy was adopted in 2021 and includes 60 actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and improve air quality in Buckinghamshire. The Climate & Energy Project Officer will provide project management support to enable the planning and delivery of the infrastructure needed to support the transition to a low carbon energy system and facilitate new electrical supply capacity in Aylesbury. The postholder will also help enhance and maintain our fleet and staff electric vehicle charging infrastructure, support the development of climate change aspects of our new local plan, and evaluate the energy & sustainability aspects of planning applications. Rachel Waugh, Principal Climate Change Officer said “ This role represents an opportunity to join our impact-driven team, where we are striving to support the rapid decarbonisation of the county through both technical and nature-based solutions. Our work covers a broad range of topics, reflecting the wide range of climate change mitigations we are both exploring and already deploying. This role reflects the varied activities we participate in and involves engaging with others across the council to support coordinated action to address climate change. ” Key Accountabilities The main responsibilities and duties of the Climate & Energy Project Officer are to: Aylesbury Grid Reinforcement (project support) Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Local Area Energy Systems planning Responding to the sustainability aspects of planning applications Research developments and best practice in work area (including, but not limited to, the planning & delivery of energy infrastructure, local area energy systems, sustainability within the planning process, EVCI and the de-carbonisation of transport generally) and identify issues for further consideration. Provide advice and support to colleagues, customers and stakeholders. Respond to and investigate enquiries or complaints, identifying problems and taking appropriate action. Prepare documentation, including with respect to project management and administration and other materials as required to support service delivery. Produce technical plans, designs and / or specifications as required, with solutions meeting needs. Examples include, but are not limited to: Preparing responses to planning application submissions such as Energy & Sustainability Statements for new housing developments. Documentation and planning of maintenance activities for EVCI. Contribute to the planning and successful delivery of projects. This role will provide project management support to the Aylesbury Grid Reinforcement project, including taking and distributing minutes, action logs and tracking/expediting action resolution, organising meetings, updating and maintaining the full suite of project management documentation. Monitor and report performance indicators and / or budgets (including that of suppliers, contractors and delivery partners) as required. Identify any areas of concern, for further review by budget holders and managers. This may include documenting and tracking internal re-charging for electric vehicle charging and supporting with the tracking of project budgets and expenditure. Assist in the preparation of tenders and contracts such as the preparation of procurement documentation for EVCI installation and maintenance. Arrange with contractors / suppliers for work to be carried out to required specifications (e.g. the management of maintenance visits for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure). About You The Climate & Energy Climate Project Officer will ideally have experience of working on projects and project administrative support. The candidate will have related experience in either renewable energy, energy infrastructure and utilities, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Awareness of energy and sustainability aspects of planning for domestic housing developments would be advantageous. An understanding of climate change policies and/or an understanding of energy systems (in particular electricity distribution) would be valuable. Other information The role is initially offered on a fixed term contract for 12 months, however opportunities to extend or make permanent will be explored as the programme of climate change projects is further developed. The closing date for applications is midnight 6th November 2024. Interviews will commence in the weeks beginning 28th October and 4th November. If you have any questions regarding the role of the team’s work, please contact [email protected] and include “CEPO Role” in the subject header. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. Any-Desk: 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. This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare: All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible. 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 works 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 to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more. https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/