Litter Free Dorset Project Officer

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

Join the Litter Free Dorset team to help change behaviour, reduce plastic pollution, improve bathing and river water quality, and support Dorset’s businesses, residents, and visitors to live more sustainably. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and organised Project Officer to take a key role in our multi-discipline team hosted by Dorset Council.

Can you inspire others to change their behaviour? Are you creative in your approach? Are you able to manage a project well? Do you want to come and work in a small but dynamic team? Yes, to all of the above? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you!

As Project Officer, you will work closely with the Support Officer and Coordinator, collaborating with partner organisations, Dorset Council teams, and community groups to deliver Litter Free Dorset’s projects and campaigns with maximum impact. You will manage several projects at a time, seeing them through from scoping and concept, to development, delivery, and evaluation.

Litter Free Dorset is a hosted partnership based at County Hall in Dorchester and is part of the wider group making up the Environment, Policy, and Partnerships Team.

What You Can Expect To Be Doing

Working with a friendly and professional team of people who share a passion for the protecting Dorset’s inland, coastal, and marine environments, you will:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of specific Litter Free Dorset projects and campaigns.
• Research, prepare and coordinate new project/s from inception to completion as required, linking with behaviour change research for effective delivery.
• Create inspiring and impactful resources which promote key messages and foster positive behavioural changes within the target audiences.
• Organise and run LFD events and attend others such as community events and festivals. As such the post holder will be required to load and drive Dorset Council vehicles, lift equipment, lone work and confidently engage with the public on a range of issues.
• Have considerable knowledge across your work area including behaviour change theory, waste reduction, water quality, and climate change topics.
• Report to funders, councillors, partners, and other stakeholders, for which you will be required to prepare, present, and disseminate project documents and reports.
• Manage discrete project budgets, reporting back to the coordinator regularly.
• Carry out community, business, and other stakeholder engagement as required.
• Work with Dorset businesses to embed sustainable processes and promote the Sustainable Business Network.
• Maintain and create engaging content for communication platforms including social media accounts, LFD website, email comms, and press coverage.
• Liaise with volunteers for Litter Free Dorset projects and campaigns (and recruit volunteers when required), including managing enquiries from and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers/volunteer groups and LFD Forum members.
• Actively seek/be aware of new funding opportunities and assist the coordinator with putting together funding bids for future projects.
• Organise, facilitate, and participate in working groups, annual meetings, and webinars.

The post holder will need to be highly organised with strong attention to detail, be creative, have excellent communication and people skills, and an interest in environmental issues.

We operate a hybrid working system, with LFD team members based at County Hall in Dorchester for at least two days a week, or more as required. If working from home, staff will still be required to attend meetings and events, carry out community engagement, and travel as necessary.

This post has a significant travel requirement, with regular travel to meetings and events and to carry out your day-to-day project work. As such, you must have a full driving license and access to your own vehicle (or transport we deem suitable).

If you're enthusiastic, personable, creative, and ready to take on this rewarding role, we want to hear from you!

Join us in making lasting change for Dorset’s inland, coastal, and marine environments.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about environmental issues and community engagement
• Highly organised with great attention to detail and proven project management experience
• Able to communicate professionally with a range of audiences and stakeholders
• Experienced in running events or workshops
• Creative, and motivated to use their creativity to inspire change
• A great communicator who enjoys meeting new people
• Experienced in creating engaging digital content and using social media

If this is you, then get in touch!