At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage communities to promote energy efficiency and support home retrofitting initiatives.
- Company: Join an award-winning cooperative dedicated to a sustainable energy future.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, develop community skills, and contribute to climate action.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and potential extension beyond the initial contract.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while tackling climate change.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Job Description
Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity for a community development professional who cares about tackling energy-related issues and working towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. South East London Community Energy (Selce) is an award-winning energy member-led cooperative. We believe in creating a fair and just energy transition by building distributed and renewable energy systems, reducing local energy demand, and leaving no one behind in the process. We recognise that effective engagement is a key component in delivering a sustainable future and enabling domestic retrofit at scale.
As Community Engagement Officer, you will work to support various programmes that are, in the main focused on enabling decarbonisation of the UK housing stock, enabling warm, healthy homes. These programmes are as follows
· A programme of workshops and outreach events focusing on two neighbourhoods in Southwark and on the whole of the borough of Greenwich. The purpose of the outreach is to raise awareness about the benefits of retrofitting their homes and provide support to households who want to install measures. Your role will be to design and deliver a programme of outreach, engagement and awareness raising about the benefits of retrofit and to support residents on their retrofit journey
· Lewisham Council is planning a major retrofit programme for the council housing in Lewisham. Selce is supporting the local authority. Our role is to enable residents to understand the benefits of retrofit and to support any vulnerable residents to accommodate work in their homes. Your role will be to plan and deliver an engagement programme that engages residents, TRA's, local community groups, local champions to communicate the benefits of retrofit
· In 2026 we expect to be launching a new Community Share Offer and to raise Community Share capital to finance solar PV/ LED Retrofit in local community sites. Your role will be to contribute to a broader effort to raise awareness about the share offer in Southeast London
Ideally you will be locally based in South East London, with a strong links to the community and an interest in and some experience around climate issues and community retrofit. Your role will be to engage residents through in-person or online events. You will use a range of engagement techniques including workshops, community events, eco home tours and ‘retrofit parties’, supporting ‘resident champions’ to promote retrofit and occasionally doorknocking. You will support the wider team’s online communications – through owned channels, social and print media.
You will also work to build peer support networks, enabling residents who have retrofitted their homes to share their learning. Your role is to understand the needs of householders in relation to warmth, wellbeing, energy costs and climate and work to understand how our projects can best respond to those needs.
There is a strong possibility that this role could be extended beyond the initial 8 month fixed term period
Required Skills & Experience:
Essential Skills and Experience
· A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a community engagement, participation or outreach role.
· Experience of working with diverse and hard-to-reach communities.
· Experience of coordinating volunteers or of volunteering yourself.
· Experience of having worked with either community sector or local authorities or other public sector bodies.
· Experience of facilitating a group or of being part of a community group that worked together to achieve a shared goal or bring about a positive community outcome.
· Experience of leading meetings including experience of the preparation and delivery of presentations and reports to varied audiences – good people-facing skills.
· Knowledge of the energy efficiency and retrofit and an understanding of the whole house and fabric first approaches to domestic retrofit.
· Familiarity with community energy and community shares.
· Experience of working in schools or with children/young people
· Ability to work independently and take initiative, demonstrating self-motivation and accountability with minimal supervision.
· To be well organised and self-motivated, but also able to contribute effectively working as a team member. Experience of outcomes-based project monitoring and evaluation.
Desirable
· Competency in Microsoft Office applications
· Competency in Canva or InDesign or other similar design software for creating print or online visual content
· Experience of social media – creating graphics and text for a social media campaign
· Photography skills
· Experience of providing energy advice or retrofit advice.
Community Engagement Officer (Climate & Retrofit) in London employer: South East London Community Energy
South East London Community Energy (Selce) is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a sustainable future through community engagement and renewable energy initiatives. With a strong focus on employee growth, Selce offers opportunities for professional development in a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where your contributions directly impact local communities. Located in South East London, you will be part of a passionate team committed to making a difference, while enjoying the unique advantage of working closely with diverse neighbourhoods and stakeholders.
Contact Details:
South East London Community Energy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Engagement Officer (Climate & Retrofit) in London
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like South East London Community Energy that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like South East London Community Energy that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like South East London Community Energy. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like South East London Community Energy when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Engagement Officer (Climate & Retrofit) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with South East London Community Energy's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Community Engagement Officer (Climate & Retrofit).
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research South East London Community Energy and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that South East London Community Energy is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Community Engagement Officer (Climate & Retrofit).
How to prepare for a job interview at South East London Community Energy
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with South East London Community Energy.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at South East London Community Energy.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of South East London Community Energy. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
