Senior Climate Change Officer - Exmoor National Park Authority

Devon County Council; England; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Sickness leave and compassionate leave

Job summary

Exmoor National Park Authority is seeking a Senior Climate Change Officer to lead the development and delivery of climate initiatives. You will coordinate the climate change programme within the National Park Management Plan, identify priorities and drive practical actions to reduce emissions and enhance resilience.

You will work with farmers, land managers, businesses and communities to deliver the Climate Adaptation Plan, create demonstration projects and secure funding, while embedding

Qualifications

• Experience developing, coordinating or delivering climate change, sustainability, environmental or land management projects.
• Experience working with stakeholders including farmers, land managers, communities and public bodies.
• Experience with protected landscapes, National Parks or local authorities.
• Experience planning climate adaptation measures for estates or communities.
• Experience preparing funding bids or managing externally funded projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of climate change initiatives to achieve net zero ambitions.
• Coordinate climate change programme within the National Park Management Plan.
• Identify priorities and practical actions to reduce emissions and support climate-positive land management.
• Lead delivery of Exmoor’s Climate Adaptation Plan with stakeholders.
• Develop demonstration projects, workshops and case studies.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Strategic planning

Climate policy

Communication

Education

Degree-level qualification in climate change/environmental science/sustainability

Job description

About Us

Exmoor National Park is a unique and beautiful part of the country. Our vision is that Exmoor remains a beautiful landscape, leading the response to climate change and nature recovery, a welcoming place for all, as well as a great place to live, work and do business.

We are now looking for a Senior Climate Change Officer to join us on a fixed-term contract for two years. This is a full-time role, although part-time working will also be considered.

The Benefits

• Salary of £38,510 - £43,149 per annum (pro rata for part-time).
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time).
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Paid sickness, parental and compassionate leave, plus time off for dependants.
• Time off to attend medical appointments.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and a 24/7 confidential helpline.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced climate change or environmental professional with strong project management skills to join our dedicated National Park Authority. You’ll have the perfect platform to further establish yourself as a leader in climate action, strengthening your expertise, broadening your professional network and delivering high-profile projects that will enhance your career prospects well beyond your two-year contract.

The Role

As a Senior Climate Change Officer, you will lead the development and delivery of climate change initiatives to help Exmoor National Park achieve its net zero ambitions and become more resilient to climate change. You will develop and co-ordinate the climate change programme within the National Park Management Plan, identifying priorities and practical actions to reduce emissions, increase carbon sequestration and support climate-positive land management. Leading the delivery of Exmoor’s Climate Adaptation Plan, you will work with farmers, land managers, businesses and communities to identify climate risks and develop practical solutions. You will also support our own emissions reduction efforts and embed climate considerations across our operations.

• Develop climate adaptation plans for the estate.
• Support the review of the Exmoor National Park Local Plan.
• Produce guidance, communications and engagement materials.
• Develop demonstration projects, workshops and case studies.
• Identify funding opportunities and support bids and business cases.

About You

To be considered as a Senior Climate Change Officer, you will need:

• Experience developing, co-ordinating or delivering climate change, sustainability, environmental or land management projects.
• Experience working collaboratively with stakeholders, including farmers, land managers, communities, businesses, public bodies and environmental organisations.
• Experience working in, or with, protected landscapes, National Parks, National Landscapes, local authorities or environmental partnerships.
• Experience planning climate adaptation measures for estates, landholdings, buildings or communities.
• Experience preparing funding bids, managing externally funded projects or working with public, private or blended finance mechanisms.
• Experience designing and delivering workshops, training, public engagement or behaviour change activities.
• Knowledge of Exmoor’s landscape, farming systems, communities, habitats, heritage and climate-related challenges.
• Knowledge of nature-based solutions, including peatland restoration, woodland creation, natural flood management and low-carbon rural development.
• Strong project management, planning, monitoring, reporting and risk management skills, with budget awareness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• A degree-level qualification, or equivalent experience, in climate change, environmental science, sustainability, geography, ecology, land management, planning or a related discipline.

Other organisations may call this role Climate Change Manager, Climate Action Officer, Senior Climate Officer, Climate Adaptation Officer, Climate Resilience Officer, Climate Change Project Manager, Sustainability Officer, Senior Sustainability Officer, Environmental Project Manager, Climate Programme Officer or Net Zero Officer.

Webrecruit and Exmoor National Park Authority are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Senior Climate Change Officer - Exmoor National Park Authority Somerset, UK