Dorset Dogs Area Project Officer

The Dorset Heaths Partnership (DHP) is looking for a Dorset Dogs Area Project Officer to help deliver the nationally recognised and prestigious Dorset Dogs project. Working alongside existing project officers, this role will lead on delivering onsite engagement and a programme of public engagement activities across the project area.

You will be working as part of a multi-disciplined team across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council areas delivering the Dorset Dogs project with two other project officers, as part of heathland mitigation delivery on behalf of 10 partner organisations. This role involves promoting responsible dog ownership and championing positive access management for people with dogs in the countryside, liaising with partners, land managers, conservation organisations, dog owners, dog-related businesses, and charities.

As well as public engagement activities promoting the project messages, other communication channels will be used such as social media, website, leaflets, etc.

We are looking for someone with a passion for dogs, wildlife, and countryside and an understanding of the relationship and balances between them. You will have excellent communication skills with an aptitude for engaging people of all ages. Experience of working in a partnership setting is required with the ability to form and sustain suitable working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, land managers, partners, dog-related organisations, and businesses.

This is a full-time fixed-term post until 31st March 2027. Working outside in all weathers will be required as part of this role along with evening and weekend work. The post has a significant travel requirement meaning the employee will need a vehicle available to them; there is also a shared project vehicle. The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring service check.

We’re passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception. At Dorset Council we provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents, have ambitious aspirations, are excited about our future, care about Dorset and all the people who live here, and know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success.

You will have access to a range of employee benefits, be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed, and have access to a range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression.

We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. We have a commitment to equality and welcome applications from everyone. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role. We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.