At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with communities and organise creative events to enhance library services.
- Company: Join Barnsley Council, an award-winning employer making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and second chances.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that empowers local creativity and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Level 4 qualification and experience in community engagement preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31537 - 34434 £ per year.
Position reference: 50135259
Directorate: Place | Service: Libraries
Salary: £31,537 - £34,434 (Career Grade)
Working Arrangements: Monday - Friday with occasional evenings/weekends
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Fixed Term until 31 March 2028
We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch.
Closing date: 21/08/2026 at 23:59
The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard. This post requires a Basic Criminal Record Check. Prospective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad. When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be. We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.
There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent Libraries team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities. We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people. Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen. If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it. We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.
About The Post
It’s an exciting time to join Barnsley Libraries as we’re a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funded by Arts Council England (ACE). Our Programme ‘All In’ is about putting local people at the heart of what we do, and it will ensure everyone in Barnsley has an opportunity to access creativity. From our annual Barnsley Book Festival to a programme of Library Lates, artist commissions across the borough, to our travelling Story Shell, we’re looking for a creative and organised addition to our team to deliver our programme. With a passion for communities, this post will organise and take part in community events working with creative partners and audiences. The post will be responsible for liaison with artists and contractors, delivering elements of the programme out in the community as well as the library spaces. The post will develop partnerships, find new audiences and work with our libraries across the borough to bring new ideas to communities in Barnsley.
The successful candidate will have a minimum Level 4 qualification in a relevant area with experience of engagement activity with members of the public and community groups, developing successful partnerships in a community setting and delivering successful outreach and promotional activities. Ideally this experience will have been in public libraries or an arts environment but is not essential. The successful candidate must be imaginative and creative, with practical organisational skills, with the ability to motivate, support and enthuse staff, partners, and members of the public. If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion please contact Emma Ford, Libraries NPO Programme Manager on 07818116045.
Please use the documents below to help support you with your application form.
Help with your application form
Why work for us? Please ensure you view the job profile for this role, as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria. We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities. We’re committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know. CV's are not accepted for this role. At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Libraries NPO Engagement Officer in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Council
Barnsley Council is an excellent employer for those seeking a meaningful career in social work, particularly within the supportive environment of the Hospital Social Work Team. With a strong emphasis on collaboration with health professionals and a commitment to employee growth through flexible working arrangements, staff are empowered to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with complex care needs. The council fosters a culture of inclusivity and professional development, making it an attractive place for qualified social workers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Libraries NPO Engagement Officer in Barnsley
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Barnsley Council.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Barnsley Council.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Barnsley Council.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Barnsley Council. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Libraries NPO Engagement Officer in Barnsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Barnsley Council. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Libraries NPO Engagement Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnsley Council
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Barnsley Council. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
