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 27694 - 31022 Β£ per year.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are looking to recruit an Emergency Planning Support Officer to join our team based in Ipswich. This is a full-time, fixed term or secondment opportunity for 14 months. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of Β£27,694 β Β£31,022 per annum (pro rata for part time).
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
- 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.
Closing date: 5pm, 20 February 2026. You will be required to attend a Warner Interview for this position as part of the recruitment process. If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Emergency Planning Support Officer role, even if you donβt meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
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: Illuminated Interiors
Contact Detail:
Illuminated Interiors Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Emergency Planning Support Officer in Ipswich
β¨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.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the councils and their community initiatives. Show us that youβre not just passionate about emergency planning but also about making a real difference in the communities of Babergh and Mid Suffolk.
β¨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.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us youβre 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 π«‘
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Emergency Planning Support Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for community resilience and emergency planning. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in our communities.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see why you're a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youβre considered for this exciting opportunity with Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils.
How to prepare for a job interview at Illuminated Interiors
β¨Know Your Role
Make sure you understand the specifics of the Emergency Planning Support Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, especially around community resilience and emergency planning. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
β¨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your admin, IT, and project management skills. Think about times when you've successfully managed competing priorities or developed community plans. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
β¨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might be asked how you would engage with community groups, so have a few strategies ready to discuss how you would build those relationships.
β¨Embrace Flexibility
The job requires a flexible approach to changing priorities. Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to unexpected changes in past roles. Highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and your commitment to supporting the community during emergencies.