At a Glance
- Tasks: Support councils in preparing for and responding to emergencies, ensuring community safety.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 29 days leave, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Empowering environment that values diversity and supports personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in crisis management and knowledge of local government operations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX, Riverside, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ, or West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU, hybrid and community-based working
- Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus standby allowance of £180 per month
- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent, 2 posts
As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, at Suffolk County Council we want to make a positive difference for the environment, the communities we serve and the people who work with us.
When you join us as an Emergency Planning Officer, you'll be encouraged to bring your own ideas, learn from others and help shape services that support Suffolk when it matters most.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
As an Emergency Planning Officer, you'll help Suffolk's councils prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and major disruption. Working within the Suffolk JEPU (Joint Emergency Planning Unit), you will support emergency planning, training and exercises, and work alongside partners from local government, emergency services, health, utilities and the voluntary sector.
Your work could include reviewing emergency plans, helping to design and deliver training, supporting resilience projects, advising colleagues on preparedness, and contributing to business continuity work that helps councils maintain essential services during disruption. During incidents, you may provide advice and practical support to senior officers and elected members (Councillors) as part of the wider response and recovery effort.
It is a varied role, and no two days are likely to look the same. You'll build specialist knowledge in emergency management while contributing to work that helps keep Suffolk's communities and essential services prepared.
What you will need
- We are looking for someone with experience or knowledge of emergency planning, business continuity, risk management, crisis management or a related area. You will need to communicate clearly, build trust and work well with a wide range of colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
- You'll be organised, able to manage competing priorities and comfortable working both on your own and as part of a team. Experience of supporting projects, training events, exercises or briefings would be helpful, as would an understanding of local government and emergency preparedness arrangements.
- Above all, we are interested in someone who is motivated to learn, willing to get involved and committed to supporting Suffolk's resilience. If you have transferable skills and think you could grow into this role, we encourage you to apply.
The team
The Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit provides emergency planning and business continuity support to all of Suffolk's local authorities. We help councils prepare for emergencies, strengthen local resilience and maintain essential services during disruption.
We are a small, supportive and collaborative team with a shared focus on protecting communities and supporting partners before, during and after emergencies. The role offers the chance to work across Suffolk, build strong relationships with a wide range of organisations and contribute to resilience work that has a clear local impact.
We support flexible and hybrid working, while recognising that some activities are best delivered face to face with colleagues and partners. Working in JEPU gives you the opportunity to be involved in important emergency planning and resilience activity across Suffolk.
Empowering Everyone
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report .
For more information
Please contact Courtney Walsh (he/him) for a casual conversation. You can contact him by calling 07581 035 737 or emailing courtney.walsh@suffolk.gov.uk
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what's acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply?
If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages .
Closing date:
11.30 pm, 13 August 2026.
Interview date:
24 August 2026 at Endeavour House in Ipswich.
Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.
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 (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid #IND1
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Emergency Planning Officer in Ipswich employer: Suffolk County Council
At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Emergency Planning Officer in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the emergency planning field, especially those connected to Suffolk local authorities. A casual chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience with crisis management and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Real-life examples will make your application pop!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from asking questions during interviews. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to making Suffolk safer and more resilient.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing authentic applications that reflect your true self and experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Emergency Planning Officer in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job and Person Profile:Before diving into your application, take a good look at the Job and Person Profile. It’s packed with info on what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and requirements.
Craft Your Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the criteria in the Person Profile. Remember, we want to see your genuine skills and experiences, so be authentic!
Keep It Neat and Tidy:When writing your statement, stick to Arial font size 11 and keep it to a maximum of two sides of A4. A clean, well-structured application makes it easier for us to see your potential!
Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out:If you have any questions or need adjustments during the application process, just drop us a line! We’re here to help, so don’t hesitate to contact our Recruitment Team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Brush up on its key points and how it applies to local government operations. This will show your interviewers that you're not just familiar with the law, but that you can apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work in crisis management or emergency planning. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you clearly demonstrate your professional competence and how you've successfully handled emergencies before.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your interpersonal skills by discussing how you've collaborated with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to share examples of how you built effective partnerships and delivered training or exercises. This will illustrate your ability to work confidently with a range of people.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team you'll be working with. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Consider asking about current challenges the team faces or how they measure success in emergency planning.
