Community Energy Manager

Job Description

About the role:

Help us deliver a new exciting chapter in the community energy movement. We're looking for a Community Energy Manager to take the lead on our onshore wind development programme, SIFFFT (Sustainable Innovative Financial Foundations For Turbines). In this role, you will oversee the development of a portfolio of onshore wind and innovation projects across the West of England Combined Authority area, including South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, and Bristol.

You will play a key role in coordinating and delivering public consultations for new onshore wind turbine planning applications and developing community plans, particularly with communities in South Gloucestershire. While much of the work will focus on this region, project activities may also extend beyond it.

Hours: Offered full time (37.5 hours a week), with part-time or job share welcome.

Salary: £28,000-£30,000 (dependent on experience)

Location: Office based at Redbrick House, 6 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH. Home working is also accepted on a flexible basis.

Context of the role:

To date, BEN has supported the growth of emerging sustainability groups in South Gloucestershire, including in areas such as Chipping Sodbury, Emersons Green, Filton, Frome Valley, Lyde Green, Marshfield, Thornbury, Winterbourne, and Yate. These groups are interested in forming a network to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. In this role, you will be pivotal in supporting outreach, project delivery, and reporting activities, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and collaboration. Your responsibilities will include developing community plans, preparing public consultations, and assisting with planning applications for onshore wind projects.

As the Community Energy Manager, your primary responsibility will be to support the development of community-owned wind energy infrastructure. This will involve working closely with community partners to ensure successful project outcomes. Additionally, you will receive training to strengthen your skills in community energy project development.

While prior experience in the community energy or sustainability sector is not essential, successful candidates should demonstrate a commitment to BEN’s aims and values, including its equal opportunities policy and collaborative approach.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team and contribute to enabling communities to participate in and benefit from a net zero future. The role offers valuable experience in community energy projects and the chance to make a meaningful impact across the West of England.

Role Overview:

• Coordinate & deliver public engagement for community-owned onshore wind energy projects, provide project management support (including the use of appropriate online systems, diaries and stakeholder/Board reporting/Monthly Project Reporting).
• Organise and present workshops, training and community engagement events.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders and maintain good relationships between our community partners.
• Produce progress reports and collate feedback including data from engagement for planning purposes.

You will have:

• Strong project management, administration and organisation skills
• Clear and concise report writing skills and proficiency with qualitative data
• A track record in community engagement
• Experience in presenting to a variety of audiences
• Experience in environmental and energy sector

You may have:

• Events organisation experience
• Environmental science / planning experience
• Geography/social science background

Please note:

• Possession of a full driving licence and a car is desirable due to remote site visits.
• Ability to have flexibility to work weekends and evenings as needed in order to attend and engage with community groups.

How to apply:

As an inclusive employer, we actively encourage people of all backgrounds, ages, races, religions, belief systems, orientations and identities to apply for this role. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minoritised communities, and individuals with a commitment to community engagement. Any applicants which meet the essential job requirements will be invited to interview. Appointment will always, however, be made on merit and judged against the job description and person specification.

Please review the job-specific descriptions at www.bristolenergynetwork.org.uk/work-with-us. Applicants should send a CV and one page cover letter, explaining why you are a good fit for the role, to info@bristolenergynetwork.org by midnight on the closing date of 25th February. Please contact us if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process. We hope to interview on Thursday 6th and Friday March 7th and have someone in place in April 2024. Reasonable travel and accessibility expenses will be paid for attendance at the interview.