Community Engagement Officer

We are looking for an enthusiastic, well organised communicator to lead a broad activity and engagement plan as part of our Species Survival Fund project at RSPB Dungeness and to lead an environmental youth group based around the Thames. You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to raise awareness of a major wetland restoration project and facilitate access for local communities to the reserve and Dungeness Peninsular. You will also work with local health care providers to facilitate the delivery of RSPB Nature Prescriptions to benefit the wellbeing of people living in the local area. 

What's the role about? 

The RSPB has a unique opportunity through Species Survival Funding to employ a Community Engagement Officer based at RSPB Dungeness. This role will look to engage current and local communities with the habitat changes that will be carried out at Dungeness through #Species Coastal and Wetlands, a programme of infrastructure and habitat restoration work funded by the Species Survival Fund (SSF) . The SSF habitat works on site will provide a focus to engage with communities that do not have ready access to nature as far away as Ashford and Folkestone. 

The Community Engagement Officer will aim to increase people’s engagement with and understanding of the work carried out and communicate why it's beneficial to wildlife through both consultative and learning events.

In addition, the Community Engagement Officer will deliver a programme of Nature Prescriptions to the communities around RSPB Dungeness. This will be done through engagement with local healthcare professionals and community groups.

RSPB Nature Prescriptions have been developed to improve the wellbeing of people through a strengthened connection to nature. The Community Engagement Officer will deliver the program of works to an agreed timetable and budget. 

They will also develop a volunteer’s team to assist with the delivery of the works and ensure that the works have longevity once the funding period is complete.

Additionally, the Community Engagement Officer will support the activity of the Youth Action Panel, a diverse group of 14–22-year-olds living along the River Thames who have an interest in nature and tackling climate change. This includes assisting in recruitment of new members, co-creating a schedule of activities for the group, and facilitating learning for members as the Species Survival Fund progresses.

This project is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Ability to engage with a wide range of audiences, including young people, both face to face and virtually.
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Experience of Community Engagement - working with the public and delivering events to the public
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Excellent prioritisation and workload management

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of delivering community projects
• Knowledge of local area, its unique nature and wildlife, environmental, social and economic issues particularly those relating to land management access, tourism, social inclusion and community development.
• Experience of supporting externally - funded projects
• Skilled in delivering nature connection workshops or training
• Understanding of the health and care sector
• Ability to clearly articulate the importance of nature to wellbeing through presentations and verbal or written methods

This is a Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week. Until the 28th February 2026 

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

For further information please contact isobel.donovan@rspb.org.uk. Interviews will take place W/C 10th June 

As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

This role will require completion of a DBS in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.