Domestic Energy Efficiency Programme Officer
Fixed Term / Secondment (to March 2028), Full Time
£41,563 to £48,897 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 9th February 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office 2-3 days per month, and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.
Please note this opportunity will be offered as fixed-term contract or secondment to end 31st March 2028.
Essex County Council (ECC) is committed to changing the way we work, produce, consume, and travel to act on climate change and significantly reduce carbon emissions, air pollution and waste in the County.
In Essex, domestic housing is responsible for about 1/3rd of total greenhouse emissions. This sector has significant potential to decarbonise and unlock wider benefits across the economy: energy savings increasing consumer spending power and tackle fuel poverty, warm & healthy homes, reducing impacts on our health system and the creation of new skilled jobs to stimulate sustainable economic growth.
The Domestic Energy Efficiency Programme Officer will help develop, scale up and deliver ECC’s Climate Action ambitions for the existing domestic housing sector, working across ECC to drive this agenda and respond to the opportunities presented by the Government’s Warm Homes Plan.
With experience of the domestic energy efficiency retrofit challenge, and an understanding of funding and green finance opportunities, the role will be responsible for working with our delivery partner to meet the commitments in our existing Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme and develop an action plan to scale up investment in domestic retrofits across Essex and lift families out of fuel poverty.
Accountabilities
The role requires strong leadership and a delivery mindset to support delivery of our existing grant funding agreement for Warm Homes: Local Grant, develop opportunities for all homeowners in Essex to access retrofit and energy efficiency measures and enable delivery of the government’s Warm Homes Plan in Essex.
Profile the market for home decarbonisation and resilience in Essex drawing on our Local Area Energy Plan, our existing and growing community energy network, develop a funding strategy to support the rapid development of demonstration projects, and work with partners to develop retrofit services in Essex through innovation and deployment at scale.
Build strong working partnerships with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors involved in the retrofit challenge to develop an ambitious action plan that takes forward the recommendations from the Essex Climate Action Commission and the Council’s climate action ambitions.
Monitor the Domestic Energy Efficiency sector market trends, regulatory developments, and local government activity to identify opportunities that align with and accelerate the Council’s ambitions for improving energy efficiency in homes in Essex. Draw on the best practice and evidence from across the UK to inform ECC’s action plan.
Prepare business cases, briefings, Cabinet Member Actions and Key Decision papers for members as required.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelors) in a relevant environmental subject or equivalent by experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area e.g., members of IEMA.
Proficient experience in accessing and delivering funding bids, preferably in domestic housing retrofit and fuel poverty initiatives.
A background in a relevant field, with knowledge and experience of delivering domestic energy efficiency retrofit programmes essential, with experience developing strategies and working with multiple stakeholders to deliver those strategies.
Proficient experience of Green Finance and some knowledge of issues of financing energy efficient buildings and financial solutions that incentivise retrofit projects desirable.
Must be highly numerate, highly confident analysing data and information, excellent analytical skills but able to contextualize into simple messaging focused on actions.
Basic understanding and knowledge of public sector business practices ideally with knowledge and/or experience of public procurement processes.
Shows persistence and resilience. Confident team player who is also able to work on own initiative – action orientated. Professional with a high level of commitment and enthusiasm with good ability to prioritise, plan and manage competing demands.
Experience of engaging and presenting to residents at outreach events, community group sessions, third sector organisations and business to business expos to raise awareness of the work and promote schemes and services available. Travel around the county likely.
To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services - Working for Essex
Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
Follow us on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.
Downloads
Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours