At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead environmental enforcement projects and improve the city's environmental quality.
- Company: Local government organisation in Southampton focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Temporary contract with potential for extension and dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience in environmental enforcement or project management.
The predicted salary is between 28.23 - 28.23 £ per hour.
Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Project Officer for our client, a local government organisation based in Southampton. The successful post holder will lead and develop the organisation's environmental enforcement function, including the delivery of a 12 month externally commissioned enforcement contract valued at approximately £250,000 per annum. The role will ensure effective enforcement activity in relation to environmental crime, including fly-tipping, waste presentation, and littering, contributing to improved environmental quality across the city. In addition, the postholder will provide programme and project management across a range of Clean Green Service initiatives, ensuring delivery to time, budget, and agreed outcomes, in line with corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities. This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length of 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee the operational delivery of the organisation's environmental enforcement service, ensuring effective and legally compliant enforcement activity.
- Manage and support the environmental enforcement team, monitoring performance, productivity, and compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
- Lead enforcement activity relating to fly-tipping, waste presentation, duty of care offences, littering, and associated environmental crimes.
- Commission, mobilise, and manage a 12-month external enforcement contract, ensuring delivery against agreed service standards, KPIs, and budget requirements.
- Act as the lead client officer for the enforcement contract, maintaining effective relationships with contractors and addressing any performance issues, risks, or service improvements.
- Monitor and control budgets associated with enforcement activities and projects, ensuring value for money and effective use of resources.
- Manage and deliver a range of environmental and service improvement projects, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales, budgets, and outcomes.
- Develop project plans, business cases, performance frameworks, and progress reports aligned to organisational priorities.
- Monitor project and contract performance, identify risks and issues, and implement corrective actions where required.
- Use performance data and intelligence to inform decision-making, target enforcement activity, and support continuous service improvement.
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, contractors, partner organisations, and enforcement agencies to deliver integrated service outcomes.
- Prepare and present reports, briefings, and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders as required.
- Ensure all enforcement, contract, and project activities comply with relevant legislation, governance requirements, and organisational policies.
- Contribute to the development and review of enforcement procedures, policies, and best practice initiatives.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion while maintaining high standards of customer service and public engagement.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.
Personal Requirements:
- Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
- Relevant professional qualification or demonstrable experience in environmental enforcement, contract management, project management, or a related discipline.
- Experience delivering environmental enforcement, regulatory, operational, or public service-focused programmes.
- Proven experience managing external contracts, including supplier performance monitoring, KPI management, and financial oversight.
- Demonstrable experience delivering projects within a complex organisational environment, ensuring successful outcomes within budget and timescales.
- Experience managing teams, contractors, or stakeholders and driving performance improvement.
- Knowledge of environmental protection, waste management, or regulatory legislation and its practical application.
- Strong project planning, organisational, and risk management skills.
- Excellent contract management and supplier relationship management abilities.
Desirable:
- Project Management qualification such as PRINCE2, APM, or equivalent.
- Qualification in Environmental Health, Waste Management, Environmental Services, or a related discipline.
- Experience working within a local authority, public sector, or regulatory environment.
- Experience delivering service transformation, pilot programmes, or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge of income generation through enforcement activity.
Working Hours: 36hrs / Monday - Friday
Pay: £28.23 per hr
Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.
Project Officer in Southampton employer: Positive Employment
As a local government organisation in Southampton, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and community impact. Our Project Officer role offers the unique opportunity to lead vital environmental initiatives while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a commitment to professional growth and a focus on meaningful contributions to the city's environmental quality, we are an excellent employer for those seeking a rewarding career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Officer in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Projects
Dive into community projects or volunteer opportunities related to environmental engineering. Not only will this boost your experience, but it can also put you in touch with local professionals who might know of temporary roles. Plus, it's a great way to show your passion for the field!
✨Use Industry-Specific Platforms
Check out platforms like EnvironmentJobs or Ecotricity for temporary positions. These sites focus specifically on environmental roles and can give you a leg up in finding short-term gigs that match your skills.
✨Network at Environmental Events
Keep an eye out for local environmental tech meetups, conferences, or seminars. Engaging in these spaces can help you meet potential employers face-to-face and tap into the hidden job market, especially for temporary roles!
✨Leverage Our Website for Quick Applications
Don’t forget to check out temporary positions at Positive Employment through our website. Applying directly there can often fast-track your application and get you noticed quicker by hiring managers. It’s a smart move to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Officer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:In the world of environmental engineering tech, it’s all about those technical skills! Make sure your CV highlights relevant software knowledge, such as CAD programs or environmental modelling software. Mention any specific projects where you applied these skills – it's a brilliant way to demonstrate your hands-on experience!
Tailor Your CV to the Job:Don’t just send out a generic CV. Take a little time to tailor it for the temporary role with Positive Employment. Focus on highlighting any experience that relates directly to the specific environmental challenges they might tackle. Relevant coursework or certifications, even if they're from a short course, can give you an edge.
Keep it Short and Sweet:Since this is a temporary position, we recommend keeping your application concise. Highlight the most relevant experience and how quickly you can adapt to the role. Brief statements about your adaptability and eagerness to contribute can make a solid impression!
Brief Motivation in Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should express not just your qualifications but also your enthusiasm for the role at Positive Employment. Explain why you’re drawn to the temporary nature of the job and what you hope to learn. This helps show that you’re not just looking for any position, but that you genuinely care about this opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Positive Employment
✨Get Familiar with Key Engineering Tools
In environmental engineering tech, you’ll likely be quizzed on software tools like AutoCAD or GIS systems. Brush up on how you’ve used these tools in your studies or previous projects, as you might be asked technical questions that require you to explain specific applications in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Temporary positions often require quick thinking and adaptability. Be ready to discuss a project or case where you identified an environmental issue and proposed a solution. This not only highlights your analytical skills but shows you can hit the ground running—exactly what a temporary role needs!
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
Since we’re in the environmental sector, your enthusiasm for sustainable practices can be a game changer. Share any relevant coursework or volunteer activities you've engaged in that reflect your commitment. Employers love to see passion combined with practical experience.
✨Prepare for Short-Term Commitment Questions
For a temporary role, expect questions about your availability and how you manage time effectively on short-term projects. Be candid about your specific time commitment and illustrate how you've successfully completed previous assignments or internships within tight deadlines.
