Community Engagement Support Officer

(1)   Summary

• We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Community Engagement Support Officer to join our Dorset Team on a 6-month contract. The successful candidate will play a key role supporting the General Manager in establishing new and developing existing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including passengers, representative groups and community organisations to promote our services and initiatives.
  


• This role is a part time fixed term role, working 10 hours per week. We are open to negotiation regarding the structure to those weekly working hours. There may be the occasional requirement for evening and weekend work.
  


• This will be a hybrid position with scope for the candidate to work from home, joining meetings with colleagues and community stakeholders online, as well as working from the Dorset office in Blandford Forum, as and when required. 
  

(2)   About DCT

• Dorset Community Transport (DCT) has been providing safe, accessible and affordable community transport for communities across Dorset since 2011. Our instantly recognisable green minibuses can be spotted throughout Dorset!
  


• DCT provides home-to-school journeys for children across the Dorset and BCP Council areas.
  


• DCT is also dedicated to supporting and enabling independent living, reducing isolation and encouraging social interaction, especially for vulnerable people (such as older or disabled people or those with mobility difficulties who struggle to leave their homes). We also provide group transport to local voluntary, community and social groups.DCT is part of ECT Charity, a nationally-recognised social enterprise that creates social value through its charitable activities.


• DCT is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity.


• DCT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and any vulnerable person using our services. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow safer recruitment practices which are outlined in further detail in our Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Protecting People Policy.


• DCT is a Disability Confident employer and welcomes applications from the disabled community.


• DCT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and any vulnerable person using our services. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow safer recruitment practices which are outlined in further detail in our Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Protecting People Policy.


• Successful applicants may be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)  check (DCT will cover this cost).


• DCT follows government guidelines, the DBS Code of Practice and ECT’s Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy with respect to the above. Further advice and guidance on disclosing criminal records can be obtained from Nacro’s Criminal Record Support Service.

(3)   Role Description

• The Community Engagement Support Officer will play a key role supporting the General Manager in building strong links within the community of Dorset, engaging as many stakeholders as possible to support ECT in maintaining our position in the community as a reputable and reliable community transport provider. This work will contribute to increasing the number of people we positively impact in our communities, thereby also increasing the organisation’s social value. As part of this work, the Community Engagement Support Officer will engage with passengers, representative groups, community organisations (particularly Parish/Town Councils) and local authorities to broaden the reach of our Dorset services, creating a positive impact within the community and ensuring that the organization services are effectively communicated and utilised.

(4)    Key Responsibilities

• The Community Engagement Support Officers’ key responsibilities will be to:
  
  
  
  • Build and maintain key relationships with local organisations, community groups, parish and town council members;
    
  
  
  • Develop and implement a targeted engagement strategy   to increase awareness and usage of our transport services;
    
  
  
  • Conduct tailored outreach activities to help identify and address the transport needs of the communities of Dorset.
    
  
  
  
  

(5)    Person Specification

• The successful applicant must:
  
  
  
  • have excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
    
  
  
  • have an ability to engage audiences, understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds and perspectives;
    
  
  
  • have exceptional organisational skills;
    
  
  
  • have a problem-solving approach to challenges when assessing community needs;
    
  
  
  • be computer literate;
    
  
  
  • be an advocate (or be willing to become an advocate) for accessible community transport;
    
  
  
  • have an ability to represent DCT Charity in the local community, build networks and undertake community and stakeholder engagement and outreach.
    
  
  
  
  


• It is desirable (but not essential) if the candidate has:
  
  
  
  • solid experience in community engagement;
  
  
  • experience working with individuals similar to DCTs client base;
  
  
  • knowledge of the areas that DCT operates;
  
  
  • a background in charity work
  
  
  • regular use of a car is preferred as the role may involve travel to community-based locations.
  
  
  
  

(6)    Employment Particulars

• Employer. You will be employed by Ealing Community Transport (company no. 07211806) (“ECT”). In Dorset, we are known locally as Dorset Community Transport (or DCT)
  


• Start date. As soon as possible, subject to any existing notice period.
  


• Term. Fixed six-month contract.
  
  


• Hours. This is a part time role of 10 hours per week.
  


• Location. 25e Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8ST
  


• Salary: The salary will be £26,894.40 per annum (pro rata based on a 10-hours week). The salary will be paid monthly in arrears by direct credit transfer. The monthly salary is calculated on the basis of 12 equal months (pro rata based on 6 months).


• Probationary period. No probationary period.


• Notice. Employment is subject to one week’s notice by either side during the first three months of the term and one months' notice by either side after the first three months of the term.
  Holiday. Holiday entitlement amounts to a total of 20 days plus Bank Holidays (pro rata). Leave must always be taken in conjunction with colleagues to ensure that adequate cover is available.
  


• Pension. We offer NEST as the workplace pension scheme. Further details will be provided to you upon commencement of your employment. Senior staff are entitled to join the alternative Employer scheme with Scottish Widows subject to the requirements of that scheme. The Employer reserves the right to vary or withdraw this scheme.
  


• Sick pay. ECT operates the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (‘SSP’) during periods of properly certified sickness absence. ECT also operates an Occupational Sick Pay Scheme which provides payment in excess of the SSP rates, all such payments being at the absolute discretion of ECT and will depend on full compliance with obligations in relation to sickness reporting. Any sick pay paid will be deemed to include the SSP entitlement.
  


• Other benefits. ECT’s benefits package includes opportunities for continuous professional learning and wellbeing support. ECT also welcomes requests for flexible working to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual to join a front-line organisation where they can make a difference, whilst enhancing their own skills.

(7)    How to Apply

• We invite you to submit your application as soon as possible with the deadline for the submission of applications being the 31st May 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Dorset depot in Blandford Forum.
  


• All applications should be submitted online via the green "Apply for this Job" button above. The process requires you to attach your CV and covering letter that should demonstrate your skills, experiences and attributes that make you suitable for the role outlined in this job description.
  


• You will also be asked to please include details of two referees, one of which should be your most recent employer. We will not contact your referees without notifying you first.
  


• Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of their application. Those who are successful at this stage of the process will be invited to attend an interview in person. Candidates who are not short-listed will be informed accordingly.
  


• ECT will process the personal data that you have supplied on the Application Form in accordance with the Privacy Notice for job applicants available by clicking here.
  


• It is important to note that ECT will only process your personal data where it has a lawful basis for such processing.
  If desired, applicants are able to have an informal discussion with General Manager (Dorset), Tim Christian, before applying but this is not essential. To arrange this, please email [email protected].