If you love connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and are passionate about making a meaningful impact on the residents, businesses, and community groups of Worcestershire, this role could be perfect for you.
The Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership has recently celebrated its fifth birthday and is looking to expand its activities in 2025 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of the railway. This voluntary collaboration brings together local government, the rail industry, and community groups with the shared goal of promoting rail travel to, from, and within Worcestershire. The partnership also seeks to bring improvements to rail services and stations, helping communities to have a voice in rail and transport development.
West Midlands Rail Executive (the host organisation for the Partnership) have a brand-new role for a Community Rail Officer to play a key role in ensuring the railway enriches the communities it serves and becomes more responsive to their needs. This involves engaging local people both young and old at grassroots level to promote social inclusion, sustainable and healthy travel, wellbeing, economic development, and tourism. You'll also help inspire and encourage more station adoptions. Whether you’re meeting with stakeholders, connecting with the community or visiting active projects, you will be helping to promote awareness of rail and the difference it can make to local people and their communities.
By joining the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) you’ll become part of the community rail family - a unique and growing national movement comprising 75 community rail partnerships and 1,300 volunteer groups that help communities get the most from their railways. Each year community rail produces £129m in social value from funding of just £7.2m - a social return of £17.89 for every £1 invested.
Please note, this is not an office-based role, but an active, people-focused position centred on community engagement. This role needs someone who has proven experience of community engagement, exceptional people skills and the ability to work independently and take initiative.
This is part-time role, offering 25hrs a week between Monday – Friday and is a 2 year fixed term contract. This role offers flexibility and a good work/life balance, with support and training provided.
What you will be doing.
- Promote rail as a safe environment through work in schools and the community
- Represent the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) at local events and meetings
- Promote and highlight the work of the WCRP in the media and with rail bodies, stakeholders and others
- Prepare regular project updates
- Prepare regular financial updates
- Work in partnership with other organisations to secure funding for projects
What’s essential.
- Hold a DBS or willing to be DBS vetted
- Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal/written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate with people from all walks of life, in both small and large public settings.
- Be customer and results orientated, with ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Self-motivated
- Financially aware with ability to develop funding bids
How to apply.
On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will be prompted to register for an account, which you can do using your name and email address. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV when registering. Uploading your CV will auto-populate the employment and education sections of your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have submitted your application. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to check the information is correct and format your profile so that it really stands out.
You will be asked to provide a supporting statement which should evidence (using examples) how your skills and experience match the essential criteria of the role that you are applying for. You will be asked to type your statement into the portal directly. If you have already prepared a supporting statement, then you can simply copy and paste this directly into the application form. For more information on how to apply, please visit the FAQ page on our career site.
Reasonable adjustments.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Recruitment Team. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Salary and benefits.
We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK), 28 days paid annual leave (plus an option to purchase more!), ethical saving options and healthcare plans, paid volunteering days, free financing for the latest technology, discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.
Hybrid working and location.
We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows.
It is expected that you can split your time between the office, working remotely and being out and about in Worcestershire. This is not an office-based role.
Creating an inclusive workplace.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We believe that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.
WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.
We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.
We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.
Right to Work in the UK
WMCA has a legal responsibility to ensure that all its employees have the legal right to work in the UK. Therefore, if you are made an offer of employment, this will be subject to WMCA verifying that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria set out by UKVI.
Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.
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