Community Engagement Officer

The starting salary for this full-time position is 34,660 per annum based on working 36-hours per week.

These positions are offered on a fixed-term basis until 31.03.2027.

We are excited to be hiring two Community Engagement Officers to join our fantastic Countryside Team based at Merrow Depot, Guildford with regular travel across the county and between sites.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part-time hours) plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

We are looking for Community Engagement Officers to help drive both community and volunteer engagement, within our tree planting initiative for Surrey. We want to increase biodiversity and encourage volunteering and community participation from diverse groups, bringing our residents along on our journey towards achieving our targets.

As a Community Engagement Officer for tree planting within the Countryside team, you will be part of a pivotal element of the delivery of Surrey County Council's 1.2 million tree planting initiative and climate change agenda. The role forms a critical interface between Surrey County Council, the county Boroughs/Districts within, and a range of stakeholders including members of the public, schools and diverse community groups.

The team work flexibly through a mix of office, site and some home-based working. You will be regularly required to visit potential planting sites throughout the County and liaise with residents, community groups, volunteers and council members and attend engagement events.

Your key responsibilities as a Community Engagement Officer will include:

• Organising, coordinating and attending volunteer tree planting days and engagement events
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Surrey County Council
• Planning and attending site visits to support project delivery, volunteer activities, and aftercare, including monitoring tree establishment and liaising with local stakeholders
• Developing and delivering written and in-person communications to stakeholders, schools, and community groups on project progress, ensuring continued engagement, involvement, and support
• Identifying and contacting community groups to deliver tree planting and establishment projects
• Coordinating the delivery of aftercare by residents and tree planting volunteers
• Recruiting and briefing new and existing tree planting volunteers using a Volunteer Management System

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• A passion for both trees and Surrey's greener future
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate with others
• Experience of working with the public (for example: schools, community partners and charities)
• Experiencing working with or managing volunteers
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and plan your own workload

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 3 questions:

1. Please describe a time when you had to manage competing demands on your time and how you overcame this
2. Please tell us about your personal qualities that you would bring to this role to enable you to be successful
3. Tell us about your favourite project that you have worked on or delivered in one of the following areas: volunteering, community engagement or green spaces / tree planting / conservation

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 15th October with interviews planned to follow.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.