Community Engagement Officer - Tree Aftercare and Planting Service

Job Introduction

About the Role

As our new Community Engagement Officer - Tree Aftercare and Planting Service (TAPS), you'll take the lead in developing and growing the community-facing side of one of Oxfordshire's most exciting environmental programmes. You'll have the opportunity to shape and develop the Tree Guardian programme, build relationships with communities across the county and create innovative ways for people to contribute to how and where we plant trees, caring for them and improving their local environment.

Working closely with the Team Leader, Senior TAPS Officer and wider TAPS team, you'll coordinate volunteers, organise engagement activities, support community planting initiatives and help ensure newly planted trees receive the care they need to thrive. You'll also help manage planting requests, promote participation in planting and aftercare, develop communications and newsletters, and support citizen science initiatives that help monitor tree success and survival.

What makes this role particularly unique is the balance between ownership and teamwork. You'll enjoy significant autonomy to develop community engagement approaches, volunteer programmes and outreach activities, whilst remaining a key member of the wider TAPS service. Your work will directly influence how we engage with residents, schools, community groups, councillors, parish councils and volunteers, helping ensure community involvement is embedded within everything we do. The role is responsible for recruiting and supporting Tree Guardian volunteers, delivering outreach activities and coordinating communications with communities and stakeholders. 

This is a varied role combining community engagement, project delivery, communications, environmental education and practical involvement in tree-related projects. There will be opportunities to spend time out in communities, support planting events, work alongside volunteers and see first-hand the difference your work is making across Oxfordshire.

About you
We're looking for someone who combines excellent people skills with strong organisational ability and a genuine passion for environmental improvement.
You may come from a background in community engagement, environmental education, arboriculture, conservation, countryside management, volunteer management, communications or project delivery. Whatever your background, you'll be someone who can inspire others, build strong relationships and turn ideas into successful projects.

You'll be confident working with a wide range of people, from local residents and volunteers to councillors, schools, partner organisations and colleagues across the council. You'll understand how to engage different audiences, create compelling communications and build enthusiasm around shared objectives. The role requires experience of volunteer engagement, project management, stakeholder communications and producing engagement materials. 

We're looking for someone with enough experience to work independently, manage competing priorities and develop innovative approaches to community participation. At the same time, you'll be collaborative, practical and enthusiastic about being part of a wider operational team.
Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference. You'll understand the value that trees bring to communities—whether that's improved wellbeing, increased biodiversity, climate resilience, urban cooling, cleaner air or creating greener and more equitable neighbourhoods—and you'll be excited by the opportunity to help more people become part of that journey.

If you're someone who wants to build something, influence how communities interact with their environment and leave a lasting legacy across Oxfordshire, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us
At Oxfordshire County Council, we're committed to creating a greener, healthier and more resilient future for everyone who lives and works in our county.
Our Tree Aftercare and Planting Service (TAPS) sits at the heart of Oxfordshire's environmental ambitions, delivering large-scale tree planting and aftercare programmes that help tackle climate change, support biodiversity and improve places for people. From increasing canopy cover in our towns and villages to helping communities care for newly planted trees, our work delivers lasting environmental and social benefits.

We're now looking for someone to join us in an exciting newly created role that will help shape how communities engage with and contribute to Oxfordshire's growing urban forest.
This is an opportunity to become part of a passionate, supportive and ambitious team that is delivering real environmental change on the ground. Whether you're working with volunteers, supporting local planting initiatives or helping residents get involved in caring for trees, you'll be helping create greener, cooler and more nature-rich communities for generations to come. The role supports the council's tree planting and aftercare ambitions through volunteer coordination, community engagement and communications.

Rewards and benefits
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing environmental service at a pivotal point in its development.

In return, we offer:

• Culture of flexible and agile working;
• Significant support from experienced tree professionals in TAPS and the wider Tree Service
• Technology to support agile working, where role permits
• 30 days’ holiday p.a. plus bank holidays (Increasing to 33 days after 10 years’ service)
• Offer access to a Relocation Scheme, depending on circumstances and conditions, should you need to consider moving closer to or into the County from where you currently live. Further details are available on request
• 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 to19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies;Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing growth through attendance at workshops, conferences and seminars or completing relevant qualifications.
• The opportunity to help shape and develop a brand-new role.
• The chance to lead and grow the Tree Guardian programme across Oxfordshire.
• Meaningful work that delivers visible environmental and community benefits.
• Opportunities to get involved in practical tree planting and community projects.
• Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to see the direct impact of your work in communities across the county—helping people connect with nature, improving green equity, supporting climate resilience and ensuring thousands of newly planted trees receive the care they need to thrive for decades to come.
  
  
  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, 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 have any questions regarding this role, please contact Luke Rowland at: luke.rowland@oxfordshire.gov.uk