At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community resilience and develop emergency plans for local areas.
- Company: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, dedicated to enhancing community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health care options, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills, project work experience, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to equality, diversity, and community support.
The predicted salary is between 23600 - 27600 £ per year.
Overview
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
Salary: £27,694 to £31,022 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment opportunity for 14 months
This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.
What we are looking for
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.
About Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit
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.
About the role
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. While this post sits within our Operations Directorate the day-to-day activity of the Emergency Planning Support Officer (Community Resilience) will be managed by the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit District Emergency Planning Manager for BMSDC.
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.
- The role also includes 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.
About you
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.
About us
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 believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:
- 60 conservation areas
- two National Landscapes
- many picturesque market towns
It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK.
Benefits
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.
Our ways of working
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.
Please read the Job Description and Person Specification before applying for this job opportunity.
Closing date: 5pm, 20 February 2026.
How to apply
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.
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.
Emergency Planning Support Officer in Ipswich employer: Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council
Contact Detail:
Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Emergency Planning Support Officer in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the emergency planning field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the councils and their community initiatives. Show us that you’re not just passionate about emergency planning but also about making a real difference in the communities of Babergh and Mid Suffolk.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As an Emergency Planning Support Officer, you'll need to build relationships with various groups. Role-play interview scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence and clarity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to community resilience.
We think you need these skills to ace Emergency Planning Support Officer in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what we’re looking for in an Emergency Planning Support Officer and how you can tailor your application to match our needs.
Show Off Your Skills: When filling out your application form, make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, especially your admin, IT, and communication skills!
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Clearly address how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification. Use specific examples to demonstrate your experience in community resilience and project work.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research the local communities in Babergh and Mid Suffolk. Understand their unique challenges and strengths, especially regarding emergency planning. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your experiences to the needs of the community.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Emergency Planning Support Officer, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse groups or managed stakeholder relationships in the past. Be ready to discuss how you would engage with Community Emergency Planning Groups and partner agencies.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
This role requires a flexible approach to managing competing priorities. Think of specific instances where you've successfully adapted to changing circumstances or handled multiple tasks simultaneously. Highlighting these experiences will reassure the interviewers of your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Prepare Questions About Community Resilience
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the current community resilience projects or how the councils plan to enhance their emergency planning efforts. This shows your proactive attitude and eagerness to contribute to their mission.