Communications and Engagement Support Officer - 10602

2
South East
Reading
Kings Meadow House
Staff Grade 4
Fixed Term
Full Time
Communications / Marketing
£27,572 (pro-rata)
We are looking for two experienced and enthusiastic people to fill the roles of Communications and Engagement Support Officers in the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and River Thames Scheme Project Teams. You will be instrumental members of the team at a pivotal time for these major projects, as the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme prepares for a Public Inquiry and the River Thames Scheme secures it's funding.

These positions will support the project teams with a wide range of communications, engagement and project tasks. You will build good working relationships with our partners and internal and external customers to help manage our reputation through this critical time. You will support the team to deliver high quality communications material and turn our engagement vision into a reality, by ensuring our work on the project is communicated and supported by a wide range of stakeholders in a timely and professional way. You will be a self-starter who uses your initiative to proactively look for better ways of doing things, to ensure tasks are performed efficiently and effectively and to take action before a negative situation arises.
The roles will be based in Reading and you will work with a number of colleagues from different Environment Agency teams and external suppliers. The project teams sit within the Thames area of the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Department.
You will be a highly organised, flexible person, who can deliver quickly in a fast-paced environment. You will have strong customer service skills and work well in a diverse, dispersed team. You will have experience of engaging and communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

You will have good writing skills and have experience of producing internal and external material, such as minutes to meetings, responses to enquiries, briefings, newsletters, presentations and factsheets. Experience in social and digital media would be beneficial.
If you have any questions about the role please email Helen Cukier at helen.cukier@environment-agency.gov.uk

09/06/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
12 months
Communicates Effectively
• Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
• Uses full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
• Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback
• When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
• Is clear and to the point when speaking.
• Anticipates the main issues and prepares
Works in Teams
• Identifies opportunities to work and build relationships with other team members.
• Builds relationships between own team and other teams.
• Supports the line manager in developing the team and gives constructive feedback to line manager.
• Effectively helps others to resolve conflict or tension.
• Actively involves themselves and participates in team activities
• Identifies personally with the team and speaks positively about it
• Balances personal and local team needs with those of the larger team; acts in the best interests of all wherever possible.
Focuses on Customers and Partners
• Recognises the concept of both internal and external customers and treats both equally well.
• Identifies and addresses the needs of customers, delivering what is promised and ensuring that they are satisfied with the outcomes.
• Takes personal responsibility to meet customer needs; is polite, courteous and professional
• Ensures customers receive consistent and clear messages supported by accurate and timely information.
• Regularly monitors and measures customer satisfaction and looks for ways to improve customer service
• Anticipates and balances the needs of a range of customers with conflicting priorities.
• Keeps customers informed and manages expectations
• Handles complaints effectively, defuses anger and tension and resolves problems
Builds and Sustains Relationships
• Respects different views, cultures, values, opinions and the contributions that all colleagues make
• Makes an active effort to fit in and respect company norms (the “way we do things” in the agency)
• Balances team and personal interests for a win-win outcome
• Displays tact and diplomacy and builds rapport quickly, establishing needs and adapting own approach.
• Communicates honestly, openly and effectively with colleagues and external partners alike
• Openly identifies and challenges inappropriate behaviour or performance constructively and speaks out even when the message is unpopular.
• Handles people situations effectively; defuses anger, tension, focuses on issues and successfully addresses problems.
Uses Initiative
• Takes action over and above what is required (within own level of authority) to ensure that a task is performed efficiently and effectively.
• Proactively looks for better ways of doing things.
• Seeks opportunities to make a greater contribution to the team.
• Reacts positively and quickly to new opportunities,
• Readily responds to situations that require urgent action and/or when referral to others is not a viable option.
• Is willing to take sensible risks when necessary to achieve objectives.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.