Principal Climate Change Officer Location: BUC13952 Contract type: Fixed Term / Secondment Working hours: Full Time Application deadline: 12 Oct 2025 Overview Are you passionate about tackling climate change and improving lives? Join us at Buckinghamshire Council as we deliver ambitious, real-world solutions to reduce emissions, cut energy bills, and support our most vulnerable residents. This is an exciting time to join our Climate Response Team us as we continue our mission to address the challenge of climate change. By working with us, you will be an integral part of delivering our Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy. Local Grant for which we have received over £3m in grant funding from the government. Over the next two and a half years, you will oversee our managing agent as they deliver energy efficiency and low carbon heating upgrades to low income homes across the county. This will help to reduce energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and improve living standards in the treated households. In so doing, you will be playing a key part in our journey to toward a net zero future in Buckinghamshire. for Energy Security & Net Zero to fulfil all reporting requirements for the project, work with the RISE support service to enable successful delivery, carry out project management activities including reporting to the project board, manage the £3m budget with robust financial oversight and ensure that data is handled appropriately. This is an opportunity to make a difference, gain experience of delivering a large scale retrofit project and contribute to our mission to deliver a local response to the global climate change challenge. 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. The Council s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy was adopted in 2021 and includes 60 separate actions to mitigate and adapte to climate change in Buckinghamshire. The Principal Climate Change Officer will lead on projects to enable the planning and delivery of the infrastructure needed to support the transition to a low carbon energy system. They will work with colleagues from planning policy to develop a new Bucks wide local plan with key focus on sustainability and will lead on projects with the GSE Net Zero Hub delivering funding for retrofit of energy inefficient homes. About the role The Council s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy was adopted in 2021 and includes 60 separate actions to mitigate and adapte to climate change in Buckinghamshire. The Principal Climate Change Officer will lead on projects to enable the planning and delivery of the infrastructure needed to support the transition to a low carbon energy system. They will work with colleagues from planning policy to develop a new Bucks wide local plan with key focus on sustainability and will lead on projects with the GSE Net Zero Hub delivering funding for retrofit of energy inefficient homes. 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. Substantial experience (ideally 5 years) in the field of building decarbonisation, particularly domestic property sustainable energy projects; with excellent knowledge of sustainable energy technologies and the role they play in whole house retrofit planning. Able to provide examples of projects worked on.
Experience of contributing to the development of procedures / service policies / strategies.
Experienced project manager with an excellent understanding of project management methodologies and systems. Able to provide and articulate examples of project management best practice from own work.
Excellent planning and organisational skills, to manage a range of complex activities and to achieve given targets and objectives.
Excellent research and analysis skills demonstrating evidence of the ability to identify and diagnose complex problems/issues and develop innovative solutions.
Good ICT skills including use of standard Microsoft applications and specialist systems.
Excellent knowledge of how effective climate change mitigation and adaptation can be delivered through the planning process.
Other information This is a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2028. We typically work two days in the office and the remainder of the week from home. health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
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
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 Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property. Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve. 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 .