Community Engagement Worker

Community Energy Plus is Cornwall’s award winning fuel poverty and sustainable energy advice charity. We are currently seeking individuals to work with us on our Warm & Safe Homes (WASH) project. This is a programme, supported by Cornwall Council, Warm Wales and the Gas Network provider Wales & West that aims to help households that have difficulty keeping their homes warm, dry and safe. The project will see outreach across the whole of Cornwall but will be targeted to specific areas and communities.  

Main purpose of job

The Community Engagement Worker will identify and engage with local residents across Cornwall in order that they might benefit directly from the various services and support available to ensure their homes are warm, dry and safe. Through a programme of targeted outreach, the Community Engagement Worker will use doorstep surveys to find out what support each resident needs for follow up by the charity’s Energy Advisors who will make referrals to relevant support agencies. It is anticipated that two Project Workers will work together on each outreach session.

This role is for a minimum of 15 hours per week, Monday to Friday (flexible); currently the duration of this role is from 1st October through to mid-December, which may be extended dependent on future funding.

Salary: £8.75 per hour, mileage will also be reimbursed

This role is predominately working in the community, although there will be some office-based work required in Truro. Ideally the Engagement Worker will work either in the East or West of the county, but some flexibility may be required. DBS checks will be provided for the successful candidates.

Do you have the skills and experience we are looking for? We want someone who:

• Has a warm, respectful and person centred approach to working with residents and local communities
• The experience and/or skills to be able to deal sensitively and appropriately with vulnerable residents
• Has excellent ‘people skills’ and the ability to communicate effectively to others, both in oral and written form. Can engage easily with new people and not be affected by door-step rejections
• Is able to quickly assess needs and identify opportunities for referrals to relevant agencies
• Has good verbal communication skills and is able to listen sensitively to others
• Has good written communication skills, with an ability to contribute to a record keeping system to an acceptable standard
• Is able to work safely and effectively without direct supervision
• Has a good level of general education, literate and numerate and is competent in general office admin and IT, e.g. Word, Excel, databases, etc.
• Has some basic knowledge of the issues surrounding household energy consumption (bills, meters, fuel types, etc.); also able to show an understanding of the causes and effects of poverty
• Possesses knowledge of current safeguarding requirements and procedures and understands the importance of confidentiality and data protection
• Is willing to work flexible hours
• Has good knowledge of the geography of Cornwall
• Has own transport
• Has bags of initiative, ideas, drive and enthusiasm

If you think you have what we are looking for send your CV (no more than 4 A4 pages) and a personal statement that clearly shows how you meet this role to recruitment@cep.org.uk. Closing date midnight Thursday 4th October.