At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community development and improve local services for residents in Reading.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a vibrant community-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33699 - 39152 £ per year.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Sustainable Communities Officer to join our Community Partnerships Service Team. Our Housing and Communities Team are passionate about the people who live in our town; our vision is for everyone to have the opportunity to live in a good quality sustainable home within a lively and thriving neighbourhood. We have bags of energy and enthusiasm and channel this by seeking to innovate and create opportunities that have a lasting effect on the communities in Reading and keeps them at the heart of all we do.
About the role: The Community Partnerships Service, which sits within Housing & Communities to ensure the service is better placed to support, enable, and protect individuals and communities, is now looking for an enthusiastic Sustainable Communities Officer to join the team. We have a great track record in building strategic partnerships, successfully bidding for Government funding, major project delivery and being the best landlord in the town. Our work is rewarding; we change lives for the better by tackling homelessness, building new homes and strengthening communities.
This is an exciting community focussed role which will require you to support the development of asset-based community development plans through connecting services with residents to jointly shape positive activity and outcomes to achieve sustainable resolutions to improve the lives of local residents. You will have the opportunity to work in partnership with our amazing stakeholders to enable effective connections across the areas to achieve these positive outcomes and support the delivery of local projects as well as supporting the shaping and delivery of services and activities from our 4 housing owned community centres.
Main Duties and responsibilities:- Support the development and monitor/refresh collaborative asset-based community development plans, which will drive locality delivery to improve outcomes for people living in those identified neighbourhoods and ensure those neighbourhoods feel clean, green and safe.
- Act as a broker between neighbourhoods, internal RBC teams and partners to identify and progress activity to support neighbourhood change aimed at delivering improved outcomes and service priorities.
- Work alongside the Community Development Officers to build knowledge of community priorities and ensure feedback from community consultations/conversations help shape neighbourhood plans and inform service development.
- Build relationships with the local Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, including faith based and equalities led organisations, to identify opportunities to work together for the benefit of residents, including offering spaces or organisations to deliver activities more locally.
- Support the promotion of neighbourhood related events and activities across services and partners to ensure maximum participation.
- Work with the Community Centre Co-ordinator to ensure that activities delivered at the centres are shaped by residents.
- Provide updates relating to Asset Based Community Development Plans and activity happening in local areas to improve outcomes for neighbourhoods and resident wellbeing at a range of forums and through written reports.
About you: We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with excellent communication skills and experience in working with communities to shape local services and partnership working. You will have experience of working within culturally diverse and/or disadvantaged communities, experience of building networks and working with partners to deliver new initiatives in local communities. You will need the ability to confidently communicate with a range of audiences and understand the views of others. Multitasking and working both individually and as part of a team are key attributes too!
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.
Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:- Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading.
- Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently, and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively.
- Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential.
- Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity.
Our offer: We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. This post will be a hybrid working post.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey, to & from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
For more information on this position please contact Pennylope Kapere - Sustainable Communities Manager - Pennylope.Kapere@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Monday 3rd August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
Sustainable Communities Officer - Community Partnerships Service in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive community where educators can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development and a supportive work culture, teachers are encouraged to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying a collaborative environment with dedicated colleagues. Located in a welcoming area, this school prioritises the welfare of its staff and students, making it an ideal place for passionate educators to grow and succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainable Communities Officer - Community Partnerships Service in Reading
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Reading Borough Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Reading Borough Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Reading Borough Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Reading Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Sustainable Communities Officer - Community Partnerships Service in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Reading Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reading Borough Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
