Recycling Engagement Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Recycling Engagement Officer
Salary: £39,027 – £44,463 per annum
Grade: E
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 2 years
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Department

The Community Development Team supports residents to thrive by creating inclusive opportunities to connect, learn and shape their neighbourhoods. Working across the Council and with voluntary, community and health partners, the team ensures resident voices inform decision‑making and support community‑led action.

The Recycling Engagement Officer plays a pivotal role within the service and will work closely with the Communications Team to deliver community‑focused engagement, outreach and communications that drive behaviour change, increase recycling rates and boost participation in local initiatives. Through targeted outreach, the postholder will help to ensure services are accessible, inclusive, responsive and shaped by the needs of Thurrock’s communities.

About the Role

As a Recycling Engagement Officer you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the delivery of recycling and neighbourhood‑based projects and programmes.
• Delivering communications, engagement and outreach activities to encourage recycling and waste reduction.
• Managing and supporting project activity, including planning, monitoring progress, budgets and risks.
• Working closely with internal teams, residents and community partners to support effective delivery.
• Monitoring performance, analysing data where required, and contributing to reporting on project outcomes.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by playing a key part in improving recycling behaviours and outcomes in Thurrock by leading inclusive community engagement, supporting effective project delivery, and ensuring residents’ voices help shape local services.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Ability to engage with stakeholders and establish effective relationships.
• Proven ability to support projects from initiation to completion.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to tailor content and style to a wide variety of audiences including Directors, Heads of Service, suppliers, consultants, contractors and the local community.
• Proven ability to operate project management systems to provide appropriate management information in respect of programme, quality, budget and risk.
• Confident, diplomatic, tactful and persuasive when dealing with a wide range of people, able to engage and build relationships with a range of stakeholders including the local community.

Essential qualifications: None
DBS Check: N/A

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 7th May 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 17th May 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday, 2 June 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Rebecca Lee – Community Development Team Manager

rlee@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council