Emergency Planning Officer

Salary: Grade 12, £29,542 - £33,119 per annum

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Contract: This is a fixed term contract for two years

Closing date: 28 October 2026

Are you passionate about helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Somerset Council's Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery team, where you'll play a key role in strengthening resilience across the county and helping ensure essential services can continue when they are needed most.

About the Role

As an Emergency Planning and Resilience Officer, you'll help develop, maintain and test emergency planning, business continuity and resilience arrangements across Somerset. Working closely with council services, emergency responders, partner organisations and local communities, you'll provide expert advice, coordinate preparedness activities and support emergency response and recovery operations when incidents occur.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Develop, review and improve emergency planning and business continuity arrangements across Somerset.
• Work with partners, emergency services and communities to strengthen local resilience and preparedness.
• Deliver training, exercises and awareness activities to ensure colleagues and partners are ready to respond to emergencies.
• Provide professional advice, guidance and briefings on emergency planning and resilience matters.
• Support the council's response during major incidents, helping coordinate resources and manage emergency arrangements.
• Contribute to recovery activities following incidents, helping minimise disruption to communities and services.

What You'll Bring

• Knowledge of emergency planning, resilience, business continuity or a related field, including an understanding of relevant legislation and guidance.
• Experience of developing, reviewing or implementing plans, procedures or operational arrangements.
• Experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to produce reports, deliver presentations and provide clear advice.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, organise projects and remain effective under pressure.
• A degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) in emergency planning or a related discipline.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• We offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
• If you are a current employee, please apply via the internal SAP SuccessFactors careers page.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Nicola Dawson (Head of Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery) on nicola.dawson@somerset.gov.uk   

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the full job description here: AG0350 Emergency Planning And Resilience Officer.pdf 

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