Community Energy Champion

Warm & Safe Homes project - Community Energy Champion

Job Description

The Warm & Safe Homes (WASH) project is supported by Cornwall Council, Warm Wales and the Gas Network provider Wales & West; the purpose of the programme is 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.  

We need a highly skilled, energetic and self-motivated individual to be responsible for delivering Warm Wales’ community focused ‘Warm and Safe Homes’ project across Cornwall. The role involves working in selected communities to identify and help vulnerable fuel poor households particularly those in poor housing stock with insufficient heating and experiencing fuel poverty.

£21,000 pa, fixed term for six months, working 37.5 hours a week.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Developing and implementing the ‘Warm and Safe Homes’ project in selected communities.
• Building strong relationships within each community to create a presence for the project.
• Arranging publicity, activities and events aimed at advertising and implementing the ‘Warm and Safe Homes’ project.
• Delivering energy advice directly to fuel poor households (energy efficiency, insulation etc., tariff comparisons, advice about smart meters, fuel debt, fire safety).
• Recording survey details electronically and making appropriate referrals.
• Monitoring outcomes and reporting.

Person Specification:

• 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 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.
• Has good knowledge of the geography of Cornwall.
• Self-motivated and ideally some experience of undertaking outreach work.
• Experience of project delivery and reporting of information.
• IT skills (word, excel, outlook, online database systems).
• Full driving licence and access to vehicle for work use.

The post requires a satisfactory DBS check and appropriate references to be obtained by Community Energy Plus.

To apply, please email your CV together with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, quoting the reference CEP/WASH

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 30^th November 2018. Interviews will be held on Thursday 6^th December.