JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title: Dartmoor Headwaters Engagement Officer Directorate: Conservation and Communities
Grade: Grade 4
Main Purposes of the Post:
To design and deliver communications and engagement activites to progress the goals of the Dartmoor Headwaters natural flood management project.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the production and delivery of the project’s communication and engagement plan, working closely with the Project Coordinator, DNPA, the Environment Agency and Devon County Council, to ensure activities align with project goals.
- Deliver community engagement activities to increase local awareness of natural flood management and nature-based solutions in priority catchments and facilitate farmer, landowner and resident engagement with the project.
- Promote and raise the profile of the project to build momentum around natural flood management on Dartmoor and communicate project learnings, successes, and wider benefits.
- Explore opportunities to bring communities together and galvanise interest around their catchment and increase engagement.
- Create content and resources required to deliver community engagement activities.
- Work with the Project Officers to capture photos, videos, and written content to showcase and evidence the creation and impact of natural flood management interventions.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of project engagement and communications, and report on risks and opportunities.
- To work safely, ensuring all safety procedures and other controls identified by risk assessment are complied with and incidents reported promptly and appropriately.
This job description outlines the current duties required for this post to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exclusive list and duties may be varied from time to time which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility.
September 2023
Person Specification
Post title: Dartmoor Headwaters Engagement Officer Directorate: Conservation and Communities
Grade: Grade 4
Requirements & Criteria
| Knowledge/Experience | Essential/ Desirable | Method of Assessment |
| Experience of developing and delivering a project communications and engagement plan. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Experience of successfully working in partnership with a range of organisations and stakeholders. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Experience delivering a variety of community engagement activities. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Experience engaging farmers and/or landowners and/or local communities about a project. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Experience of successfully communicating environmental messages to a wide variety of audiences through a range of media and channels. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Experience creating and commissioning project resources and content. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Experience monitoring and evaluating activities. | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Knowledge of natural flood management | D | Application Form/ Interview |
| Knowledge of Dartmoor; history, geography and wildlife | D | Application Form/ Interview |
| Knowledge and understanding of the Dartmoor National Park Authority and the priorities set out in the Management Plan. | D | Application Form/ Interview |
| Education/Training/Qualifications | ||
| A degree or equivalent level qualification in relevant subject/discipline (e.g. Geography, Environmental Management/Education) | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Evidence of continuous professional development | D | Application Form/ Interview |
| Skills/Abilities | ||
| Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and work to deadlines | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Ability to work confidently and independently and as part of a team | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft Office applications and ability to use social media platforms and blogs, if required, and update website content | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Public speaking and presentation skills (both online and in-person) | E | Application Form/ Interview |
| Project management skills | D | Application Form/ Interview |
| Digital design, photography and videography skills to help communicate project outputs | D | Application Form/ Interview |
| Other Requirements | ||
| Subject to occupational health approval, is able to meet the physical demands of the post | E | Occupational Health check |
| Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends, as required | E | Application form/ Interview |
| Full valid driving license and willingness and ability to travel as required within Dartmoor National Park and surrounding areas to undertake essential elements of the job | E | Application Form/ Interview |
Job Specific Competencies (refer to Competency Framework)
Communication & Interpersonal Skills (Level 2)
- Uses positive communication to give praise and celebrate success
- Presents information in a way that is logical, relevant and meaningful to the recipient(s)/ target audience.
- States own views clearly, concisely and confidently, providing relevant evidence to support their case.
- Uses a range of communication techniques to gain and maintain the attention and interest of others.
- Consciously identifies the best communication channel for their message and to suit the needs and preferences of the intended audience.
- Actively recognises when a message has been misinterpreted and provides clarity.
- Makes information available promptly to those who need it internally or externally.
Development of Self and Others (Level 1)
- Takes responsibility for personal learning and development.
- Responds positively to feedback and applies learning.
- Makes suggestions for improvements to work processes in role / team.
- Demonstrates willingness to work on different tasks and in different areas to gain experience and broaden own skills.
- Demonstrates an awareness of own strengths and weaknesses and identifies development needs and opportunities.
Strategic Awareness (Level 2)
- Is clear on the key priorities for DNPA and strives to achieve them.
- Has a clear understanding of the organisational policies and procedures and works within these.
- Understands the role of the Members in relation to the work of DNPA.
- Sets priorities and demanding but achievable objectives for others.
- Supports others to understand standards expected of them and monitors progress against objectives.
- Responds to changing priorities; re-prioritising own workload and that of others as required.
- Encourages a constructive response to change in others through a positive and collaborative attitude.
Working Effectively (Level 2)
- Identifies ways of reducing inefficiencies and increasing effectiveness within own area of work.
- Ensures that own work and work of the team consistently meets high standards for quality and customer service.
- Communicates well with colleagues to ensure internal processes work efficiently and effectively.
- Suggests new ways to use and adapt internal systems and procedures to streamline work for self and others, without sacrificing quality of work.
- Adopts the principles of Parke House Project Management to plan ahead and liaise with colleagues when planning and delivering projects.
- Manages spending within agreed budget.
Decision Making and Problem Solving (Level 2)
- Makes timely and considered decisions based on analysis of available data, information and evidence.
- Demonstrates fairness and consistency in actions and decisions that impact on others.
- Takes time to review problems, identify and implement solutions.
- Demonstrates accountability for decisions taken.
- Takes into account the feedback of others in order to make effective decisions.
Continuous Improvement (Level 2)
- Constructively challenges the status quo, and seeks better alternatives if needed.
- Shows an awareness of best practice and alternative methods of work; evaluates them and adapts them for DNPA use where appropriate.
- Ensure that the knowledge and understanding of how changes will be made have been fully communicated and understood.
- Acknowledges ideas for improvements and suggestions for change, and provides feedback on why ideas may or may not be adopted.
- Supports the actions identified in the Developing Team Dartmoor ODS, in order to continually find ways of improving.
