JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Community Services Officer
Team / Department: Community Services Team
Salary: £12.71 per hour
Contract Type: Initial 12-month fixed-term contract, with the opportunity for extension, subject to review.
Hours: Part Time (21 hours per week)
Reports to: Head of Community Services
Background
St Paul’s Centre is a well-established local charity based in the centre of Crewe. Since 1986, it has provided a range of services focused on meeting practical needs within the local community. The Centre is a growing charity, inspired by its Christian beliefs and driven by a passion to support people in times of hardship.
The primary purpose of this role is to support the Furniture Scheme (Welcome Home), one of the Centre’s most significant and longstanding projects. In addition, the postholder will provide support to the St Paul’s Centre Foodbank project and contribute more broadly to the Community Services team.
Occasionally, when capacity allows, the post-holder may assist the transport and maintenance team and support other Community Services activities as directed by the Community Services Manager.
Main Responsibilities
Foodbank & Community Support
• Support the Foodbank team during periods of high demand by preparing, packing and distributing emergency food parcels.
• Assist with food collections, stock management, warehouse organisation and deliveries.
• Support volunteers with day-to-day Foodbank operations.
Maintain accurate records using the Zoho CRM system.
• Assist with stock rotation, food safety checks and maintaining a safe working environment.
Support other Community Services projects where required, ensuring excellent service delivery across the organisation.
Main Van Driver – Community Services (inclusive of activity across the Extra Miles, Foodbank, and Welcome Home Provisions)
Act as the principal driver for St Paul's Centre's furniture provision services, safely operating the organisation's van to collect and deliver furniture, white goods and essential household items across Cheshire East.
Plan and manage daily delivery routes, ensuring collections and deliveries are completed efficiently and safely while responding to changing priorities and urgent referrals.
• Collect donated furniture and household items from members of the public, businesses and partner organisations, ensuring items are handled with care and transported securely.
Deliver furniture and essential household items into clients' homes, providing a professional, compassionate and respectful service that promotes dignity and independence.
• Undertake furniture removals and home moves where appropriate, supporting vulnerable individuals and families to establish safe and sustainable homes.
• Carry out vehicle safety checks, maintain vehicle cleanliness, report defects promptly and ensure compliance with all road traffic legislation and organisational policies.
Load, unload and move furniture safely, following manual handling procedures and health and safety guidance.
• Assist in assessing donated furniture to ensure it meets safety and quality standards before distribution.
Support the organisation of warehouse and storage areas, ensuring stock is stored safely, accurately recorded and easily accessible.
Process referrals and update client records using the Zoho CRM system, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
• Coordinate deliveries and appointments with clients, referral agencies and partner organisations to ensure an efficient and responsive service.
• Work closely with the Extra Miles Leads and Welcome Home & Foodbank Lead to prioritise deliveries based on urgency, safeguarding concerns and operational need.
Build positive relationships with clients, volunteers, housing providers, Cheshire East Community Connectors and other partner organisations.
Represent St Paul's Centre professionally at all times, demonstrating compassion, respect and excellent customer service.
Adaptability & Flexibility
St Paul's Centre operates in a fast-paced environment where community needs can change rapidly. The successful postholder will be expected to:
Demonstrate flexibility by adapting daily workloads, delivery schedules and priorities to meet changing operational demands.
Be willing to pivot between furniture provision, Extra Miles and Foodbank operations and wider Community Services projects as required.
Respond positively to urgent referrals, emergency situations and unforeseen changes to delivery schedules.
Use initiative and sound judgement to resolve practical problems while maintaining excellent customer service.
Support colleagues and volunteers across different projects during periods of increased demand.
Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role, ensuring the organisation continues to meet the needs of the community effectively.
Essential Skills & Attributes
• Full UK driving licence with the ability and confidence to drive a large transit-style van.
• Excellent driving record and commitment to safe driving practices.
Physically fit and able to safely lift, carry and move heavy furniture and appliances in accordance with manual handling guidance.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage changing delivery schedules and competing priorities.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Compassionate, respectful and committed to treating every client with dignity.
Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
Flexible, adaptable and able to respond positively to changing community needs and service demands.
Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a supportive team.
• Good IT skills and willingness to learn the Zoho CRM system.
• Commitment to the values, mission and ethos of St Paul's Centre.
The Values of St Paul’s Centre
As a Christian organisation we will:
Seek to share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Employ best business practice at all times.
Use our people, money, facilities and time to the best use of those who need our help.
Be credible, dependable, caring and trustworthy.
Strive to be environmentally friendly.
To those who work with us we will:
• Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment in which to work.
• Be honest, open and clear in all of our communications.
• Treat each person with fairness, respect and care.
• Have an agreed personal development plan.
Encourage each person to share and promote these values.
To those who need our help we will:
Give the best quality help we can.
Respond as fast as we can.
Treat each person with respect.
• Provide an honest and friendly service.
• Act as advocates for them