Communications Assistant

Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual that has communications experience in the flood risk/groundwater management sector to provide support to Project Groundwater.

This role involves producing content and graphics for communications channels (predominantly online), data entry and analysis, report production and helping organise events.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change and Flood Risk Manager) manages flood risk in Buckinghamshire Council’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The Team is comprised of the Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater and the Capital Flood Programme; with officers that are enthusiastic and passionate about managing local flood risk.

The Flood Risk Management Team carries out the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), develops and delivers a number of flood management and research projects, and guides the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.

Project Groundwater is a one of the country’s leading flood risk innovation projects. It is part of the Flood & Coastal Resilience & Innovation Programme, a six-year programme working with communities in nine high-risk flood areas of the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs. Led by Buckinghamshire Council in partnership with five other local authorities and Flood Community Groups, Project Groundwater aims to forever transform how communities prepare and respond to groundwater flooding; and contributes to the achievement of the following objectives in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy:

• to develop and promote better understanding and awareness of flood risk from all sources, now and in the future.
• to improve innovation, skills and resourcing in flood risk management in Buckinghamshire.

The postholder will provide essential support for the Project, undertaking a variety of communications activities and assisting the Climate Change & Flood Risk Management Team.

Alex Beckett, Climate Change & Flood Risk Manager said “Effective communication is required for conveying critical information about Project Groundwater. The postholder will play an important part in helping raise awareness of groundwater and the success achieved by its varied workstreams.”

About the role

Key Accountabilities

The main responsibilities and duties of the Communications Assistant include:

• Producing content for communication channels, such as websites, social media, newsletters and printed materials
• Creating and designing graphics for social media and websites
• Using social media scheduling software to ensure a steady stream of content for social media platforms
• Transcribing and subtitling video content
• Monitoring and evaluating communications delivery effectiveness
• Undertaking data entry and analysis using MS Excel
• Contributing to and/or producing reports regarding flooding and climate change
• Arranging events and meetings, and undertaking other tasks as reasonably required.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will have experience of working in a team that manages flood risk and/or flood management innovation projects; and a good understanding of the role of the council as the Lead Local Flood Authority for Buckinghamshire; and Project Groundwater. You will have good organisation, ICT, written and verbal communication skills and have demonstrated data entry and analysis, report writing and online content production competencies in your career to date. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

For additional details, please see the attached job summary.

Other information

Number of positions available: 1 permanent contract.

Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA.

For additional information or an informal conversation about this role or the team’s work, please contact Alex Beckett ([email protected]; 01296 382 495)

Interview dates to be confirmed but likely to be July 2025.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Communities directorate works across the county to deliver a number of the key customer-facing services that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day. 

This directorate includes a wide range of services, including:

• collecting and disposing of waste and recycling
• maintaining our roads and Rights of Way network and parking
• ensuring the delivery of school transport, and supporting sustainable travel including public bus services and School Crossing Patrollers
• managing Country Parks
• leisure facilities, museums, theatres and libraries, as well as developing our Cultural Strategy
• Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards
• Cemeteries and Crematoria

The customer is central to how we develop and deliver all of these services, which help promote our rich and vibrant culture and special environment. 

We are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and committed individuals to join our team and help us to continue to make Buckinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit. This is an exciting time for us as we bring together the services previously run by five separate councils before Buckinghamshire Council was created. Whilst making major changes to contracts affecting residents across Bucks, we continue to focus on delivering great customer service. You will join us on our journey of continuous improvement - whether that’s through developing strategies and ways of working or delivering services on the ground, every person in Communities is a valued member of the team.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/