Location
Paper Mill Lock, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4BS

Hours
35 hours per week

Salary
£26,500 plus 8% employer pension contribution

About the Role
Help connect people with one of Essex's best-kept treasures. Essex Waterways Navigation Trust (EWNT) is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Community Engagement Officer to develop and deliver an exciting programme of community events, educational activities, volunteer projects, and public engagement initiatives along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. This unique role focuses on education, community outreach, and volunteer coordination. You will work with schools, families, community groups, local authorities, emergency services, and waterway users to increase awareness and enjoyment of the Navigation while promoting safe, respectful, and sustainable use of this important Essex asset.

As part of a small team supported by volunteers, you will design and deliver engagement activities encouraging people to discover, enjoy, and help protect the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. You will build strong links with schools and community organisations, lead educational visits, deliver presentations on water safety, environmental awareness, and wildlife conservation, and organise volunteer and community projects such as litter picks and conservation efforts.

Additionally, you will support visitor services by handling enquiries, processing bookings, and assisting customers using the Navigation. You will also develop partnerships with local authorities, community safety teams, and user groups to promote shared use and coordinate safety campaigns with emergency services and local councils.

This is a permanent role based at Paper Mill Lock with significant outreach responsibilities, offering a rare opportunity to play a leading role in connecting local communities with one of Essex's most important heritage and environmental assets.

Experience
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Strong organisational and planning abilities
- Ability to build productive partnerships and relationships
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and email systems
- Experience delivering educational activities or public engagement programmes (desirable)
- Experience working with communities, schools, visitors, volunteers or customer-facing services (desirable)
- Experience coordinating volunteers (desirable)
- Knowledge of waterways, conservation, outdoor recreation or heritage attractions (desirable)
- Understanding of environmental education and water safety (desirable)

About you
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic and able to work independently
- Excellent customer service skills and a welcoming manner
- Enhanced DBS check
- Full UK driving licence

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are stated as required, but relevant experience and skills as outlined above are essential or desirable.