Community Development Officer

Are you passionate about working with local communities, helping people to have their say and supporting residents, volunteers and partners to make a real difference where they live? 

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Community Development Officer to join the South Area Team on a fixed-term contract until Friday 13th October 2028. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside elected members, communities, council services and partner organisations to strengthen local networks, support community-led action and help deliver priorities that matter to residents. 

About the role 

As a Community Development Officer for the Hoyland Milton and Rockingham wards, you will support Ward Alliance arrangements, help communities to identify priorities, develop local solutions and take forward projects that build pride, confidence, resilience and participation. 

You will play a key role in bringing people together, supporting community groups and volunteers, gathering local intelligence, promoting funding opportunities and helping to ensure that local activity contributes to the wider ambitions for Barnsley. 

What you will be doing 

• Supporting Ward Alliances and local networks to develop and deliver community priorities and action plans. 

• Working with residents, volunteers, community groups, elected members, council services and partners to identify local needs and opportunities. 

• Encouraging and enabling residents to get involved in local decision-making, volunteering and community-led activity. 

• Providing practical support to new and existing community groups, including signposting to funding, governance advice and development opportunities. 

• Helping to promote local activity, community achievements, funding opportunities and local services through clear and engaging communication. 

• Supporting the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of local projects, grants and community initiatives. 

• Gathering community intelligence and feedback to help inform local priorities, service planning and partnership responses. 

• Preparing briefings, updates, reports, case studies and monitoring information to demonstrate impact and learning. 

About you 

We are looking for someone who is confident working with people and communities, able to build positive relationships and skilled at turning ideas into practical action. You will be organised, proactive and able to work flexibly across a varied workload, balancing community engagement, project delivery, partnership working and reporting requirements. 

The successful candidate will have experience of working with communities, partners or voluntary and community sector organisations, and will understand the importance of inclusive engagement, local intelligence, safeguarding, equality and good governance. You will be able to communicate clearly with a range of audiences and be comfortable supporting residents, volunteers, councillors and colleagues to work together on shared priorities. 

This opportunity is available as a secondment or fixed-term contract. Internal applicants interested in applying as a secondment should discuss this with their line manager and seek agreement before submitting an application, in line with the Council’s secondment arrangements.