Emergency Planning Officer

Somerset Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Hybrid working

Volunteer opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking an Emergency Planning and Resilience Officer to develop and test emergency planning, business continuity and resilience across Somerset. You will work with council services, emergency responders, partners and communities to provide expert guidance and coordinate preparedness activities.

You will deliver training, run exercises and advise on resilience matters, supporting incident response and recovery operations when incidents occur.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of emergency planning, resilience, and business continuity concepts.
• Experience in developing, reviewing or implementing plans and procedures.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to brief and present to varied audiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, organise projects and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review and improve emergency planning and business continuity arrangements across Somerset.
• Collaborate with partners, emergency services and communities to strengthen local resilience.
• Deliver training, exercises and awareness activities for readiness to respond to emergencies.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and briefings on emergency planning and resilience matters.
• Support the council's response during major incidents, coordinating resources and arrangements.
• Contribute to recovery activities to minimise disruption to communities and services.

Skills

Emergency planning

Business continuity

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project management

Education

Degree in emergency planning or related discipline

Job description

Are you passionate about helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies? This is an exciting opportunity to join Somerset Council's Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery team, where you'll play a key role in strengthening resilience across the county and helping ensure essential services can continue when they are needed most.What will I be doing? As an Emergency Planning and Resilience Officer, you'll help develop, maintain and test emergency planning, business continuity and resilience arrangements across Somerset. Working closely with council services, emergency responders, partner organisations and local communities, you'll provide expert advice, coordinate preparedness activities and support emergency response and recovery operations when incidents occur. How You'll Make a Difference

• Develop, review and improve emergency planning and business continuity arrangements across Somerset.
• Work with partners, emergency services and communities to strengthen local resilience and preparedness.
• Deliver training, exercises and awareness activities to ensure colleagues and partners are ready to respond to emergencies.
• Provide professional advice, guidance and briefings on emergency planning and resilience matters.
• Support the council's response during major incidents, helping coordinate resources and manage emergency arrangements.
• Contribute to recovery activities following incidents, helping minimise disruption to communities and services. Knowledge of emergency planning, resilience, business continuity or a related field, including an understanding of relevant legislation and guidance.
• Experience of developing, reviewing or implementing plans, procedures or operational arrangements.
• Experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to produce reports, deliver presentations and provide clear advice.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, organise projects and remain effective under pressure.
• A degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) in emergency planning or a related discipline. At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.