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As a Public Realm Engagement Officer, you will support the objectives of the Public Realm Directorate and engage with the community on issues relating to recycling, street scene and waste prevention across a range of settings, including door-to-door visits, homes, parks, libraries, schools, community centres and public events, to promote recycling, waste prevention and wider public realm initiatives. Provide clear information on collection schedules, encourage waste minimisation and responsible use of public and open spaces, address local environmental issues, and signpost residents to relevant Council services.

You will work with other Council departments, partner organisations and key stakeholders on the delivery of a communications programme for the Public Realm directorate, including delivery of public engagement and communication activities through a range of channels.

About You

You will have a good understanding of environmental issues, particularly in relation to sustainable management of environmental resources such as recycling, waste reduction, littering and fly tipping. Excellent communication skills are essential, together with the ability to engage confidently with a wide range of audiences through face-to-face interaction, presentations, discussions and online communication.

You will be IT literate and fully familiar with Microsoft Office, with good literacy and numeracy skills. You will have the ability to prioritise your own workload effectively and work flexibly to meet service needs. Experience of creating engagement and awareness materials would be beneficial, with the ability to produce effective content under direction.

A polite, professional and helpful manner is essential, together with a high level of customer focus and a flexible approach to working hours, locations and achieving outcomes. You will be an inclusive and adaptable team player who can also work effectively without supervision and use your own initiative when required. Your friendly and open style will inspire confidence with people at all levels and support positive working relationships.

The role requires a confident and professional approach when dealing with residents, stakeholders and colleagues. You must be able to manage conflict calmly and effectively, while maintaining professionalism, trust and respect at all times.

You will demonstrate a strong commitment to improving public realm services for Newham residents and promoting equal opportunities through service delivery. In addition, you will demonstrate commitment to Newham’s values and culture, acting as a positive ambassador for the Council at all times.

The post requires flexibility in working hours, including evenings and weekends, together with a willingness and ability to travel throughout Newham. You will be required to work outdoors and undertake prolonged periods of standing and walking.

A Disclosure and Barring Service clearance is required prior to appointment.

It’s desirable that applicants hold a UK full car driving license (to drive a Council’s vehicle following successful completion of the Council’s driving assessment).

Supporting Statement Requirements

Please attach a supporting statement of no more than 2 A4 pages, clearly setting out how you meet the criteria for this role.

Please note:

CVs will not be accepted in place of a supporting statement and will result in your application being rejected.
We operate an anonymised recruitment process. You must remove all personal identifying information from your supporting statement.
Applications that are not anonymised will be rejected.

Please view JD here

Closing date: 9th August 2026

IMPORTANT: If you are an LBN member of staff and applying for this role as a secondment you should note that secondments are subject to the agreement of your current employing service. Please ensure that you inform your line manager of your intention to apply for the post in the first instance.

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

About us

The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.

Salary range

£30,288 - £31,611 per year