Emergency Planning Support Officer in Ipswich

We are looking for an Emergency Planning Support Officer (Communities) to support our Joint Emergency Planning Unit (JEPU). The successful person will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities.

The Joint Emergency Planning Unit was formed in 2005 between all Suffolk local authorities to provide an emergency planning and business continuity planning service. The team provides a focal point for civil emergency preparedness within Suffolk councils and provides a 24/7 out of hours duty service and initial emergency management capability.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils (BMSDC) Emergency Planning Officers in enhancing community resilience in Mid Suffolk by promoting and supporting the development of local Community Emergency Plans at a Town and Parish Council level.

Some of the activities this role includes are:

• To promote and support communities to encourage community resilience and business continuity in their local areas.
• To seek and coordinate opportunities to promote Community Emergency Planning, for example joining existing community engagement events or meetings.
• To support the development of new Community Emergency Plans, as well as review and provide feedback on existing plans.
• Supporting the District Council’s response in the event of an emergency or serious threat to public wellbeing at the direction of the Suffolk JEPU and BMSDC Officers through liaison with Community Emergency Planning Groups during incidents.

We are looking for a passionate, experienced Support Officer, with a good level of admin and IT experience and a flexible approach, able to manage and adapt when priorities compete or change. Ideally you will have experience of undertaking project work in order to support the delivery of community resilience projects. Strong communication skills are essential as you will be required to develop and maintain good relationships with current and potential new Community Emergency Planning Groups as well as partner agencies. You will also need to demonstrate effective organisational skills and an ability to prioritise and manage a busy workload.

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in. We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Private Health Care Options.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting).
• Great learning and development opportunities.

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go. We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

Closing date: 5pm, 20 February 2026.

Please ensure your application form is fully completed, including employment and education history and that your supporting statement clearly addresses how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification.