Circular Economy Engagement Officer

Job Introduction

About Us

At Oxfordshire County Council, we are committed to enhancing our environment and promoting a circular economy. We are actively looking at our ways of working, using everything we have learnt and heard from our people about the organisational and personal benefits of agile working. You can expect support to do your job and deliver great results.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a close, friendly and high performing team in one of the best performing councils in the country for household waste management. We also offer great working conditions including agile working to help meet your and our needs.

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint three dedicated and enthusiastic project officers on a fixed term contract until June 2027 to help design, deliver and evaluate waste reduction and recycling engagement projects in conjunction with existing members of the waste strategy team that increase recycling rates, reduce waste arisings and help Oxfordshire continue its journey towards a circular economy.

In this role you will be mainly working across 3 main projects:

• a UKRI and EU funded project ‘Circle Up’ which aims to inspire sustainable living across Europe.  We are one of 10 partners working across the UK, Germany, Latvia and Norway to develop and test intervention packages to help and encourage residents to increase the adoption of circular (sustainable) behaviours. Your role will include working with residents and the local community in a variety of ways to encourage reduction, repair and reuse of materials.
• A project to encourage increased recycling of food waste across the county, helping to design and deliver public behaviour change campaigns to further increase the recycling rates for food. These may include face-to-face doorstep canvassing work, public events and social media campaigns. The events or engagement work will take place in communities and areas across Oxfordshire.
• General waste reduction and recycling campaign work, working with the team to scope, plan and deliver campaigns leading to an increase in recycling and reduction in residual waste arisings.

About you

The successful candidates will be passionate about working together with residents and communities to increase reuse, repair and recycling and reduce waste arisings overall.  They will have excellent written and verbal communication ability, be able to manage multiple projects and work well independently and as part of a small team. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel is also necessary. Most importantly, the ideal candidate will have a dynamic can-do attitude and be a team player. 

For an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Burns on rachel.burns@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 days holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk