Community Engagement Officer

South Gloucestershire Council; Yate; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Flexibility and work-life balance

Job summary

South Gloucestershire Council invites applications for a role focused on strengthening communities through practical support and engagement.

You will advise residents and partner groups, develop solutions aligned with local priorities, and build networks across town and parish councils, businesses and services. This hybrid position requires some evening/weekend work across Yate and the Cotswold Edge.

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement or development with diverse groups.
• Working towards a professional qualification or degree in related field.
• Understanding of relevant legislation and practical application.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with diverse audiences.
• Motivated to support people and strengthen local connections.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice, guidance and support to residents and groups to develop ideas and access opportunities.
• Identify areas where support is needed and work with communities to reflect priorities.
• Build local networks by connecting residents, organisations and services.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with residents, businesses and public agencies.
• Plan and deliver community events, consultations and briefings.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in community development

Technical qualification

Job description

How you'll make a difference

Working at the heart of our communities, you will build trusted relationships with residents, community groups, partners, and town and parish councils. Through your insight, creativity, and practical support, you will help ensure local voices influence council activity and shape the services and initiatives that matter the most to local people. By strengthening communities and ensuring residents are heard, valued, and involved, you will help to shape local priorities.

What you will be doing

• To support community development, you will provide advice, guidance and support to residents, community groups and partner organisations, helping people develop ideas, access opportunities and build confidence.
• Using your expertise, you will identify areas where support is required and work alongside communities to develop solutions that reflect their priorities.
• You will help build strong local networks by connecting residents, organisations and services, encouraging collaboration and enabling communities to work together more effectively.
• A key aspect of your role will be developing and maintaining positive working relationships with residents, local businesses, public agencies, town and parish councils and voluntary and community groups.
• Creating inclusive opportunities for people to share their views and influence local decision-making, you will plan and deliver a range of community events, consultations, presentations and briefings.

What we need from you

• It is essential that you have practical experience of community engagement or community development, with the ability to work effectively alongside a wide range of people.
• You will be working towards a professional technical qualification and/or hold a relevant degree or equivalent qualification in community development, engagement, participation or a related area.
• We require you to have a good understanding of relevant legislation, regulations and processes, along with the ability to apply this knowledge in a practical community setting.
• Given the nature of this work, you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to build positive relationships, engage effectively with diverse audiences and adapt your approach to meet different needs.
• You will be motivated by the opportunity to support people, strengthen local connections and help communities thrive.

What you need to know

• This is a limited term contract until 31st May 2027.
• We are also offering this as a secondment opportunity, you should first seek your line managers permission before applying.
• This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working from our office at Badminton Road and from home. There is also an expectation that you will spend time working within communities across Yate and the Cotswold Edge, at locations and times that meet local needs. This is likely to involve some evening and weekend working.

Interviews will be held on 24th September 2026.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
• We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
• We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.
• We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!