At a Glance
- Tasks: Support churches in community engagement and maintenance of historic buildings.
- Company: Diocese of York, a diverse family of nearly 600 churches.
- Benefits: Join a supportive team with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel across Yorkshire and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while supporting church missions.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and understanding of historic buildings.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Diocese of York is a diverse family of nearly 600 churches and 442 parishes, serving communities across North and East Yorkshire. Rooted in prayer and mission, we seek to support parishes so that churches continue to be places of welcome, worship and community life. We are seeking a Church Buildings Support Officer to help parishes and local communities value, use, and care for church buildings. Funded through an external grant, this role focuses on people rather than projects — building confidence, skills and participation to support the long‑term sustainability of our church buildings.
About the Role
Working within the Church Buildings and DAC team, and closely with colleagues across the Operational Support Team, you will help parishes strengthen community engagement, broaden volunteer involvement and meet funder outcomes linked to access, inclusion and participation. You will also support the delivery of practical maintenance training, develop simple guidance resources, and provide introductory advice on small grant opportunities. This role is about equipping parishes to become more confident, outward‑facing and self‑sustaining in the care of their buildings. It does not involve managing capital repair projects or leading major funding bids.
About You
You will bring experience of community engagement and volunteer development, an understanding of historic buildings, and the ability to work sensitively with churches of varied capacity. The successful candidate will have empathy with the Christian faith and a commitment to supporting the mission and ministry of the Church of England. The role requires travel across the Diocese and occasional evening or weekend working.
Why Join Us?
You’ll be part of a small, supportive team committed to serving the Church’s mission through high‑quality property stewardship. Based at our Clifton Moor office in York, this is an opportunity to play a meaningful part in supporting churches at the heart of their communities across Yorkshire. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from disabled people and individuals of UKME heritage, who are currently under‑represented within our workforce. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake safeguarding training, and this role may be subject to a DBS check.
Church Buildings Support Officer – Community Engagement and Maintenance employer: Church of England
The Diocese of York is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on local communities through church engagement. With a commitment to employee growth and development, you will have opportunities to enhance your skills in community engagement and volunteer development while working alongside a dedicated team in the heart of Yorkshire. Our focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion ensures that all voices are valued, making this a rewarding place to contribute to the mission of the Church of England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Church Buildings Support Officer – Community Engagement and Maintenance
✨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 Church of England.
✨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 Church of England.
✨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 Church of England.
✨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 Church of England. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Church Buildings Support Officer – Community Engagement and Maintenance
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 Church of England. 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 Church Buildings Support Officer – Community Engagement and Maintenance, 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 Church of England
✨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 Church of England. 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!
