Energy Advisor

Unity in Community

Job Title: Energy Advisor

Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 per year

Responsible to: Project Manager

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with some evenings and weekends (time off in lieu)

Contract: Fixed-term until 30 September 2028

Base: 372 Greenwood Avenue, Hull, HU6 8AP; travel across Hull and East Riding

Aim of the Role

To provide clear, impartial energy advice and practical support to households across Hull and the East Riding, helping people stay warm, reduce energy costs and make better use of energy. The role includes community events, workshops, drop-in sessions and home energy surveys, with particular attention to vulnerable households and people experiencing fuel poverty.

The Energy Advisor will work as part of HEAT2 (Humber Energy Action Team), building on Unity in Community's original HEAT project. Working with local partners and volunteers, the postholder will help residents access energy-saving measures, grants and specialist support. Full training will be provided.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Community Outreach & Events

1. Transport, set up and run HEAT2 stands at community events and venues, including gazebos, pop-up banners, tables and other equipment.

2. Approach and engage members of the public to explain the support available and encourage take-up of energy advice.

Workshops & Drop-in Sessions

3. Deliver Energy Awareness Workshops, including practical demonstrations of energy-saving products.

4. Staff weekly community drop-in sessions in partnership with other organisations.

Energy Advice & Household Support

5. Provide clear, impartial advice face to face, by telephone and by email on energy use, bills, tariffs, meters and energy debt.

6. Help residents apply for appropriate grants and other energy-related support.

7. Support and advocate for residents when liaising with energy suppliers and landlords, and refer to specialist services where appropriate.

Home Energy Surveys

8. Visit vulnerable households to carry out home energy surveys and use thermal imaging equipment to demonstrate areas of heat loss.

9. Arrange appropriate free energy-saving measures for eligible households.

Records, Monitoring & Impact

10. Record all contacts and interventions accurately on the same day, with consent and in accordance with GDPR and organisational procedures, including survey results, measures installed and feedback.

11. Collect case studies and contribute information for quarterly reports to the project funder.

Partnership Working & Teamwork

12. Support volunteer Community Energy Champions in their work.

13. Work with the Marketing Officer to promote HEAT2 and develop good working relationships with community partners.

Professional Responsibilities

14. Follow all Unity in Community safeguarding, lone working, health and safety and relevant data protection policies and procedures.

15. Take part in training, team working and the Unity in Community Appraisal scheme.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

1. Experience of working with the public, particularly with people in vulnerable or difficult situations.

2. Customer-facing experience at events, in community settings or in people's homes.

3. Experience of delivering talks, workshops or demonstrations to groups.

4. Able to explain information simply and listen with patience and empathy.

5. Confident approaching and starting conversations with unfamiliar people.

6. Accurate record keeping and competent use of IT, including email, Office, databases and tablets.

7. Able to organise and manage own workload, travel arrangements and equipment.

8. An interest in energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty.

9. City & Guilds Level 3 Energy Awareness (or equivalent), or willingness to achieve it through training.

10. Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle able to transport event equipment, with business insurance.

11. Able to set up and carry event equipment, with reasonable adjustments where required.

12. Able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable Criteria

1. City & Guilds Level 3 Energy Awareness qualification already held.

2. Experience in energy, fuel poverty, housing, debt or welfare advice.

3. Experience of home energy assessments or thermal imaging.

4. Knowledge of support schemes such as Warm Homes, ECO, Warm Home Discount and the Household Support Fund.

5. Understanding of safeguarding and data protection (GDPR).

6. Ability to communicate in a second language used locally or British Sign Language.

Additional Information

Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. Lone working is a part of this role; training and a mobile telephone with GPS support will be provided.

A mobile telephone, tablet and event equipment will be provided. Mileage is paid at the HMRC approved rate. Annual leave: [X days plus bank holidays]. Pension: [details].

Additional Duties

There may be a requirement to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required to support Unity in Community. This may include being the organisation’s Fire Warden or Appointed First Aider. These roles may be based at other Unity in Community locations.

Health and Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations to ensure that the organisation’s Health and Safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for employees and visitors.

Safeguarding

Unity in Community is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and to protecting them from the risks of harm. The organisation recognises its responsibility to ensure that safe working conditions and systems are in place for staff working with children, adults and families. Staff are required to comply with organisation’s policies on Safeguarding.

Sustainability

All staff have a responsibility to deliver a high quality service in a low carbon environment, where energy is used wisely and not wasted. It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the organisation’s environmental impact by recycling where possible, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.

Information, Security and Confidentiality

All employees are required to observe the strictest confidence with regard to any client information they may access or become aware of in the course of their duties. Employees must also keep confidential information about the work of Unity in Community and its employees, both during and after employment, except where lawful and authorised disclosure is required. All personal information must be handled securely and shared only with authorised people in accordance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant information-sharing procedures. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in action under the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

Equality and Diversity

Unity in Community is committed to the implementation of the Equality and Diversity at Workplace policy which ensures equal opportunities for all. Unity in Community is also committed to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in its role as an employer and as a provider of services and delivery of local projects. It aims to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences, promotes dignity, equality and diversity and encourages individuals to develop and maximise their potential. Unity in Community will ensure that it provides equal and fairness for all, and not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, transgender or gender reassignment status, age, marriage or civil partnership/same sex marriage, and because of you being pregnant or being on maternity/paternity leave. All staff are required to observe this policy in their behaviour to employees and patients/service users.

Review of this Job Description

This job description outlines the role and may be amended to reflect changing organisational needs. It will be reviewed with the postholder.

Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person