Job Profile for Sustainability Officer - Waste Minimisation

Job Details

Job title: Sustainability Officer - Waste Minimisation

Salary/Grade: Grade  4

Service: Operations

Reports to: Contracts & Projects Manager

Job purpose

• To support the implementation of the Council’s Climate Change & Waste Management Strategies and Action Plans.
• To assist in developing and delivering the actions identified in the Action Plans and help the Council achieve its ambitious carbon reduction, waste minimisation and environmental targets.
• To lead on identified actions/projects to improve the Council’s environmental performance, tackling the challenges of climate change mitigation, adaptation, conservation of natural capital and waste reduction & recycling.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Develop policies/guidelines to support the delivery of the Waste Management and Climate Change Strategies.
2. Contribute to the delivery of the Council’s Waste and Climate Management Strategies and Action Plans undertaking work and liaising with individuals and teams across the Council in the delivery of related services.
3. Work with all Council stakeholders to help build a sense of shared commitment to our Climate, Recycling & Waste Management Strategies and Action Plans.
4. Represent the Council at the Essex Recycling Forum and update Operations Senior Management Team on topical issues/initiatives. 
5. Manage the team of Waste Minimisation and Recycling Administrator and Waste Minimisation and Sustainability Advisor.
6. Design and deliver educational sessions to schools and community groups to increase awareness of the impact of climate change, waste minimisation and recycling.
7. Plan events and activities throughout the year, in line with national and international initiatives, for example; Global Climate Change Week, Recycling Week, Earth Day, World Environment Day, No Mow May,  Compost Awareness Week, National Refill Day.
8. Lead in the introduction of recycling initiatives, new waste minimisation and the circular economy.
9. Provide promotional and educational communications in liaison with the Council’s Marketing and Comms team to encourage a high level of waste minimisation in the Council’s waste collection services to help meet Council objectives.
10.  Work with the Council’s Environmental Protection team to bring about appropriate enforcement action where education, advice and encouragement has failed.
11.  Respond to customer requests and complaints ensuring that these are dealt with efficiently and effectively in accordance with prescribed standards.
12.  Work in partnership with Essex County Council, Suffolk County Council, local housing associations and local district councils to jointly tackle any issues, work on new initiatives and develop and implement projects.
13.  Comply with all legislative requirements including Health & Safety ensuring good practice and standards at all times.

Corporate Accountabilities

• To take responsibility for maintaining own health and attendance. 
• To support, contribute and comply with quality and governance procedures as directed by management.
• To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all areas of employment and service delivery.
• Any other associated duties detailed by Head of Service or his representative.
• To advise Line manager if, at any time, the above duties and responsibilities cannot be performed.
• Any other duties as required to support the business, including maintaining business
  continuity and during civil emergencies.
• To apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Safeguarding Procedure in all areas of employment and service delivery.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

(Tested at application and interview stage)

Experience and Qualifications

• Good educational background with a minimum of HNC/HND in Environmental Sciences or relevant experience.
• Proven background in waste or recycling.
• Extensive experience in implementing waste minimisation, environmental and climate change projects/initiatives.
• Experience of researching, analysing, interpreting and presenting data.
• Experience in producing, implementing and embedding policies and strategies linked to recycling, sustainability and carbon reduction.
• Good Project Management skills with a proven record of delivering schemes/initiatives in a structured manner.
• Negotiation skills and the ability to persuade residents to change behaviours in order to minimise their waste to prevent the associated environmental problems.  
• Experience of managing a team.

Skills and Knowledge

• A good understanding of Waste Minimisation Hierarchy with a proven record of implementing plans to achieve reductions in domestic and commercial waste.
• Understanding of issues relating to individual behavioural responses to climate change.
• Ability to explore and evaluate policy options.
• A good knowledge of climate change and environmental planning policy matters including how to deliver carbon emission reductions and monitor progress.
• An aptitude for research, collection of data and action planning.
• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Council approved contact management systems.
• Experience of working with the public (including face-to-face) and confidence with public speaking.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills including the delivery of PowerPoint presentations to a range of audiences from school children to senior management.
• Ability to deal appropriately with distressed and irate customers when attempting to resolve issues.
• Prepared to be flexible with working hours between 6:30am and 5pm. Occasional evening and weekend working may be required to attend events such as talks to evening community groups and weekend roadshows.
• Current full driving licence required and use of own vehicle for business purposes, as many of the tasks require car transport.

Competencies

We test this at interview stage

Communicating Effectively

Demonstrate the effective use of the range of communication methods available: written, spoken, electronic, and use these methods in appropriate ways suitable to the context and situation

• Communicate with staff and colleagues in a manner which is clear, fluent, accurate and concise.
• Ensure two way communication is in place for staff, providing opportunities for staff to receive and give feedback
• Ensure that communications of all types with external contacts uphold the values and reputation of BDC.

Performing efficiently and effectively

Promote good performance, developing clear, structured and efficient ways of managing workload and delivering results.  Staff should challenge themselves and others to perform well, and to adhere to the Council’s performance management systems.

• Encourage the use of learning and development as a means of improving service and people performance.
• Use a project management approach to the achievement of key objectives, targets and projects.
• Understand the Council’s strategy, priorities, services and markets.
• Work collaboratively to manage risk and maximise the benefits of opportunities.

Using and managing resources efficiently and effectively

Demonstrate the effective and efficient use of the full range of resources used in and by the Council including time, finances, staffing, equipment, information, materials, buildings, etc.

• Ensure the efficient use of staff time and skills, deploying staff effectively and monitoring budget expenditure.
• Ensure the efficient use of accommodation, materials and equipment, to maximise cost effectiveness and efficiencies, while maintaining standards of health and safety and risk management
• Seek value for money, and maximise opportunities for external funding

Engaging with the customer

Understand the needs and requirements of their customers, to provide excellent customer service, and to involve customers in the improvement of services

• Ensure that customer needs are understood, providing education and support for those times when it is not possible to provide what is wanted.
• Ensure that you and your staff work to customer service standards.
• Ensure that regular customer feedback is sought, analysed and acted upon.

Working well together

Actively foster good working relationships with colleagues and customers in order to collectively achieve the Council’s direction and ambition.

• Establish and maintain constructive and open relationships across the range of people you work with, achieving positive outcomes and sharing feedback with others.
• Encourage problem solving.

Managing and Developing People

Effectively manage and develop staff in order to achieve the Council’s objectives, improve performance and job satisfaction and to develop the workforce of the future.

• Use a structured approach to agree clear objectives and monitor progress in a positive way.
• Take action to resolve performance issues speedily and effectively, and within policy guidelines.
• Create a culture of empowerment in which staff can excel, develop, and take ownership of their work and responsibilities.

Other conditions

• This post doesn't require a DBS check 
• This post is not politically restricted
• This post does not entitle you to a lease car

Values and Behaviours

We have corporate values and behaviours that set the standard for the organisation and all our staff. These are integrated in all we do including recruitment, induction, performance review, apprenticeships and all our learning and development programmes.

• P - Perform well and get things done
• R - Respect and value customers and staff
• I - Improve and learn
• D - Deliver that bit extra
• E - Efficient and effective

Following a number of workshops, which were attended by more than 100 members of staff from across all levels of the organisation, we have now developed a series of behaviours to support our PRIDE values.

Moving forward these will be implemented across the Council and will be used as part of performance reviews, induction procedures, the apprenticeship programme, and all training interventions.

P, Perform well and get things done

R, Respect and value customers and staff

I, Improve and learn

D, Deliver that bit extra

E, Efficient and effective