Youth and Community Officer

Woughton Community Council is recruiting a Youth and Community Officer to play a key role in supporting and strengthening the local community. Working across a range of service areas, you'll help deliver existing community services while developing new partnerships and opportunities that benefit residents. This rewarding role offers the chance to work closely with local people, community groups, councillors, external agencies, and voluntary and statutory organisations to make a positive difference. As Youth and Community Officer, you'll lead a variety of projects on behalf of Woughton Community Council, contributing to key community priorities. This includes supporting the continued development of the wellbeing centre at No. 99, helping to establish and support a Youth Council, and delivering a wide range of projects, services, and activities that improve outcomes for local residents. This position is 20 hrs per week may include evening work. A fixed work pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate dents.,

• Support existing projects and development of service delivery across the Youth and Community directorate, and other service areas.
• Work with the wider teams to ensure that all services offered are accessible, relevant and of value to all those living, educated, working or visiting the parish.
• Be responsible for the planning, delivery and evaluation of delegated projects.
• Work with community members, building strong relationships and encouraging them to participate, with a view to empowering residents to have ownership within the council's offer.
• Develop strong working relationships with local community groups, community partners, external agencies, professional bodies, statutory and voluntary organisations, representing WCC professionally at all times.
• Work with existing and new partners to develop community cohesion and a sustainable service offer, reducing duplication and building long term approaches.
Collect, collate and report evaluation data for projects to inform future activity.
• Ensure that the Youth & Community services are effectively communicated with the public and external partners, using a variety of approaches including creation and sharing of materials. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the council to support shared priorities and goals.
• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead (training will be provided).
• Carry out any other reasonable duties appropriate to the grade of the post, as required.
  
  Experience working with local communities, groups or community-based projects.
• Relevant qualification in youth work, community development, environmental studies, or a similar field, or willingness to work towards one.
• Understanding of safeguarding and inclusive practice.
• A warm, approachable style with the ability to build positive relationships with people from different backgrounds.
• Good organisation, communication and IT skills, with the ability to record and report information accurately.
• Flexible and motivated, with a willingness to work outdoors and occasionally in the evenings and at weekends.
Desirable
• Experience in a safeguarding role and/or safeguarding qualification.
• Qualifications across more than one area such as youth, community or environmental work.
• Knowledge of the Woughton Parish area.
• Experience delivering presentations.
• Ability to undertake regular outdoor physical activities and manual tasks.
  
  Woughton Community Council is at the heart of the local community, working with residents, community groups and partners to make Woughton a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to supporting local people, strengthening community connections and creating opportunities that improve wellbeing and help neighbourhoods thrive.
Our work focuses on bringing people together, encouraging community involvement and delivering projects that make a positive difference to local lives. We value inclusion, collaboration and respect, and we believe strong communities are built by listening to residents and working alongside them to achieve shared goals. As a small but dedicated organisation, we offer the opportunity to make a real impact at a local level, where your work will directly benefit the communities we serve. Our partnership approach and strong links with local organisations help us deliver meaningful support and lasting community outcomes.

Woughton is the council closest to the people, offering a wide range of support and services. As well as being an essential part of this work, we offer:
• 26 days annual leave, plus public holidays and statutory days.
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Bike2Work, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a range of other benefits
• Annual incremental pay rises, plus pay linked to national pay scales
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Flexible working options
• A supportive working environment