Job Summary Table of Community Engagement

Job Description Summary

The University of Exeter is seeking 12 Community Engagement Officers to support their Community Liaison Team throughout 2025/2026. This part-time position (5 hours per week) offers students the opportunity to facilitate integration between the university and local communities while gaining valuable professional experience.

🏠 Community Engagement Student Position – Making a Difference

Are you a University of Exeter student looking for a flexible part-time role that makes a real difference in the local community? The Community Engagement Officer position offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between university life and the wider Exeter community. This role is perfect for students who have experience living in private accommodation off-campus and want to help others navigate that transition successfully.

The University of Exeter recognizes the importance of fostering positive relationships between students and permanent residents. As a Community Engagement Officer, you’ll play a crucial role in supporting this mission while developing valuable professional skills that will enhance your CV. Working an average of just 5 hours per week, this position offers flexibility around your studies while providing meaningful work experience.

📋 Community Engagement Responsibilities

As a Community Engagement Officer, you will:

• Contribute to improving community cohesion within designated residential areas
• Participate in proactive ‘walkabouts’ to identify potential community issues
• Establish and maintain regular contact with both student and permanent residents
• Welcome new students to specific streets within the city
• Coordinate at least one community project each term
• Provide information about local services and refer students to appropriate support
• Participate in information fairs promoting community initiatives
• Raise awareness about specific issues like safety, burglary prevention, and waste management
• Follow up on welfare concerns for individual students (with appropriate training)
• Record anonymous statistical information on activities

🗓️ Term-by-Term Focus

Term 1: Moving In

The first term focuses heavily on helping students settle into their new homes. You’ll educate residents about waste management, ensuring they have the correct bins and understand local recycling systems. As the term progresses, you’ll shift focus to safety initiatives—both personal safety and home security. This term is typically reactive, with teams responding to specific streets and households that need guidance.

Term 2: Community Projects

During the second term, you’ll have the opportunity to develop creative community projects addressing specific neighborhood concerns. You’ll receive support from the university team and community partners to implement initiatives that foster positive relationships between students and permanent residents. You’ll have access to the Community Fund to develop projects that bring different community segments together.

Term 3: Moving Out

The final term revolves around the ‘Students on the Move’ scheme—a university-funded collaboration with the City Council focused on responsible move-out practices. You’ll help promote proper waste disposal and encourage recycling/reuse of household items as students prepare to leave for summer. This initiative is crucial for maintaining positive community relations during the transition period.

🔍 Key Requirements for Community Engagement Officers

• Must be a current University of Exeter student
• Must have experience living in private accommodation off-campus
• Available for in-person training in Exeter on September 9th and 11th, 2025
• Able to work flexibly, with some occasional weekend and evening work
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Understanding of community dynamics and conflict resolution
• Commitment to supporting positive student-community relations

💼 Employment Details

• Contract Period: September 9th, 2025 to July 21st, 2026
• Hours: 5 hours per week (flexible scheduling)
• Pay Rate: £12.60 per hour (£22,776 pro rata per annum)
• Interview Process: In-person interviews week commencing June 9th, 2025
• Required Training: Two mandatory training days on September 9th and 11th, 2025

🏛️ University of Exeter – Institutional Excellence

The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and ranks among the top 200 universities worldwide (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). With a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, Exeter combines world-class teaching with cutting-edge research.

The university’s research impact has grown more significantly than any other Russell Group university in recent years. Over 99% of research is of international quality, with 47% considered world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework). Located in one of the UK’s few UNESCO Creative Cities, Exeter offers a vibrant academic environment in a beautiful part of the country.

🌈 Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Exeter is committed to creating an inclusive culture where all community members can thrive. The institution actively engages with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender equality (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion), and serves as a Disability Confident employer.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries, the university celebrates diversity as a major strength. All applicants will be judged on merit alone, though applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcomed.

📝 Application Process

1. Submit your application through the University of Exeter job portal
2. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for in-person interviews in Exeter during the week commencing June 9th, 2025
3. Successful applicants must be available for mandatory training on September 9th and 11th, 2025

📞 How to Apply

For further information about this position, please contact Rory Cunningham, Community Liaison Officer/Manager at r.j.cunningham@exeter.ac.uk. To apply, visit the University of Exeter job portal.

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