Community Engagement Officer

Introduction

RSPB Scotland is collaborating with services and communities across Dundee to celebrate the migration of people and species, with a mission to create a nature-rich city that everyone can enjoy. The Community Engagement Officer will be home-based with a focus on the Stobswell West area of Dundee, and opportunities to support related work across the city. The position requires frequent travel within Dundee to visit community-based services and networks, and engage with local communities. 

This is an exciting role for someone passionate about people and nature. You'll play a central part in connecting communities through creative and practical conservation action, supporting improved greenspaces and celebrating shared stories of migration. 

What's the role about?

As Community Engagement Officer, you will explore the next phase of Arrivals and Departures, a city-wide project exploring the movement of both people and wildlife to and around the city. For more information on the project, see the accompanying documentation. You will work with communities to enhance local nature spaces and share stories of belonging, creating welcoming spaces that cross cultures, species, and seasons. 

Your work will lead to improved greenspace in at least one ward area, co-created with local residents and community services as well as permanent installations in three public spaces in the city, celebrating key migratory species and our connection to them. Both of these outputs will be driven by 2-years worth of community engagement in Dundee.  

Main responsibilities include:

• Delivering a hands-on programme of conservation and habitat creation activities including wildlife ponds, pollinator planting, bird/bat box installation, bug hotels, wildlife gardening with community groups. 
• Coordinate creative community engagement activities with artists and facilitators that explore themes of migration and belonging, and encourage pride in our diverse city and ecological awareness. 
• Support a volunteer programme, reaching out to local services to enable accessible, inclusive participation in local nature improvements. 
• Build and maintain relationships with community organisations, forums, and networks to ensure strong local ownership of the work. 
• Contribute to communications and evaluation, capturing successes and learnings, and reporting regularly to the Project Manager.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

We're looking for a motivated and community-minded individual who beings experience and energy to the role. You will lead on all agreed project outcomes and will have: 

• Experience engaging the public and partners through events or activities.
• Basic knowledge of UK urban wildlife and an awareness of wildlife gardening. 
• Ability to motivate and communicate clearly with a wide range of people. 
• Excellent time management and organisational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Experience working collaboratively with community groups to drive project goals. 
• Confidence to work creatively and under own initiative.
• Experience working with and supporting volunteers.
• Competent IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Office). 
• Knowledge of basic Health and Safety procedures including risk assessment for workshops and events.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of and/or experience with Dundee.
• Familiarity with creative community engagement or placemaking approaches. 

More information:

This is a Fixed-Term, full-time role for 37.5 hours per week until April 2026, subject to successful funding announced in August 2025.

We will aim to conduct interviews for this position 21/22 August 2025. For further information please contact [email protected].

Hope will deliver a 30 minute online presentation about the project, and this role, on Wednesday 6 August at 1pm. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the wider work in Dundee. This session will be recorded, and available on request after 6 August. Contact Hope at [email protected] to get the link. 

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

This role will require completion of a PVG in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.