Community Engagement Officer in Bridgwater

This is a Full-time position - 37 hours per week. Fixed-term contract for 18 months, with the potential to extend for a further 18 months, subject to funding.

Salary Scale SCP: 18-23 (£31,537 - £34,434 per annum), plus NJC annual pay award and Local Government Pension Scheme.

Are you passionate about bringing people together and helping communities have a real say in the decisions that affect them?

We’re looking for a Community Engagement Officer to play a key role in delivering Bridgwater’s Pride in Place programme. Working directly with residents, community groups, partners and local organisations, you’ll help ensure the voices and priorities of people across Bridgwater South are heard and reflected in the programme.

This is a varied, community-based role where you’ll build relationships, encourage participation, organise engagement activities and help turn local ideas into positive action. You’ll be out and about in the community, connecting people and creating opportunities for residents to get involved in shaping the future of their local area.

Purpose of the Role

We're looking for someone who enjoys making things happen. A positive and proactive person who enjoys a chat with a local resident, takes part in community groups and can get organisations involved in their area to make the most of this opportunity for Bridgwater South. You'll be good at spotting opportunities, finding solutions to challenges and helping turn ideas into projects that have a real impact.

While the role will support the work of the Neighbourhood Board and help turn its priorities into action, this is primarily a hands‑on community role. You’ll be out in the community, going to where people are and building trusted relationships. We're looking for someone who can think creatively, build relationships and work with local people to deliver projects and activities that make a visible difference.

Main Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Community Engagement and Relationship Building

• Lead the delivery of community engagement activities across Bridgwater South, ensuring local people have meaningful opportunities to shape the Pride in Place Programme.
• Utilising Bridgwater Town Council’s existing network to build and maintain trusted relationships with residents, community groups, voluntary organisations, local stakeholders and service providers.
• Act as a visible and accessible presence based out in the community, engaging residents and encouraging participation in the programme.
• Develop targeted engagement approaches to reach seldom heard and underrepresented groups ensuring activities are inclusive and responsive to build diversity of thought and remove barriers to participation.
• Support residents to identify priorities, develop ideas and turn them into practical projects and activities.
• Support residents, community groups and volunteers to develop skills, confidence and capacity to participate in local decision-making and community‑led initiatives.
• Develop and deliver creative projects, events and activities that encourage participation and strengthen community pride.
• Identify opportunities to address local issues through community‑led solutions and innovative approaches.

Programme Coordination and Governance Support

• Work with residents and local organisations to overcome barriers and find practical solutions to local challenges.
• Support community groups and volunteers to develop and deliver ideas that make a positive difference in their neighbourhoods.
• Maintain momentum across programme activity by coordinating actions, monitoring progress and supporting the implementation of agreed priorities.
• Support conversations between residents, stakeholders and partners and help manage differing views and expectations.
• Ensure community feedback and priorities are captured, shared and considered within programme planning and decision‑making.

Understanding and Engaging Communities

• Collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to measure community participation, programme outcomes and social impact.
• Working with the Communications Officer for Pride in Place, develop effective methods for collecting community feedback and measuring engagement.
• Record and share project outcomes, learning and community feedback to demonstrate impact.
• Support the development of approaches that demonstrate how community feedback has influenced decisions and outcomes.
• Contribute to programme monitoring, evaluation and learning activities.
• Use local knowledge and community insight to identify opportunities for future projects and activities.
• Develop positive working relationships with community organisations, schools, local groups and residents to create and deliver projects and activities.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration that strengthen community involvement and programme impact.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Officer for Pride in Place and wider programme partners to promote engagement opportunities and programme activity.

General Responsibilities

• Monitor and report engagement activity, outcomes and participant numbers against the programme's five objectives: awareness, participation, trust, inclusion and impact.
• Help establish and maintain the baseline these are measured against and report progress regularly to the Communications Task and Finish Group, the Neighbourhood Board and Corporate Advisory Group.
• Collect, store and report data, consent and impact stories in line with data protection requirements.
• Support budget monitoring and the effective use of programme resources.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the post.
• Ensure engagement activities are delivered in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.

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