Trainee Energy Adviser

We're an independent charity witha mission to reduce carbonemissions while helping residentslive more comfortably at home. Welcome to theEnvironmentCentre (tEC)We’re tackling some of the biggest and mostcomplex environmental challenges, head on.Heating our homes is one of the largestcontributors of carbon emissions in theatmosphere, while poor air quality is the biggestenvironmental risk to human health in the UK. We’re here to facilitate and inspire change. Ourbespoke advice and project delivery servicesprovide our stakeholders and residents with thetrusted, practical and impartial advice they needto make change feel accessible and achievable. We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact ourwork achieves for our planet as well as humanhealth and wellbeing.Our missionHeating our homesDid you know that the way we heat our home can impact our physical health, as well asour comfort, finances and environmental impact?With every household having its unique set of circumstances, we strive to provide thehighest level of personalised advice, guidance and opportunity to all of our clients. Ourhousehold-centred, holistic approach means we could be supporting an application forgrant funding one day, and exploring new heating and cooling technologies the next! Air qualityPoor air quality is an environmentalchallenge that can be linked to homeenergy in topics such as burning woodfor warmth, or dealing with damp andmould. But we don’t stop there. Ourproject delivery extends beyond thehome and into the wider world of airquality’s impact on public health andthe environment. Our workAffordable warmthWe believe everyone has the right to live in a good quality, safe and warm home. Wewant to make sure that every client we speak to, whether that’s in the community as partof our outreach services, at a home visit or over the phone via a referral, has access to thesupport they need to reduce the risk of fuel poverty. Through our specialist affordable warmth advice services, we’re:Improving living conditionsReducing health risks and contributing to successful hospital dischargesImproving energy financesEducating households to maintain comfortable and energy efficient homesReducing domestic carbon emissionsOur current affordable warmth services are Southampton Healthy Homes (funded bySouthampton City Council), Hitting the Cold Spots (funded by Hampshire CountyCouncil), and Switched On Portsmouth’s phone line (funded by Portsmouth City Council).Further informationwww.environmentcentre.com/SHHwww.hantscoldspots.environmentcentre.comwww.switchedonportsmouth.co.ukwww.myhomemadebetter.orgHome retrofitIn April 2025 we launched My Home Made Better, anadvice service for homeowners looking for trusted,impartial advice on self-funding home energy upgrades.My Home Made Better aims to encourage low carbonheating upgrades and energy independence throughpersonalised consultations and step-by-step planning.Air qualityWood burningWe’re actively working with Local Authoritiesto help residents understand the impact thatburning wood has on the environment andhuman health. Rooted in public engagement, this project hasgenerated numerous conversations andhelped to unpick some of the common mythsassociated with this topic. Our leaflets, socialmedia assets and FAQs can all be found onour dedicated wood burning webpage.Working with healthcare professionalsAlongside our public woodburning engagement work, we’ve partnered with healthcareprofessionals across Southampton to offer training, webinars and networkingopportunities. We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of a wide range of expertsincluding Dr Malcolm White, Dr Thomas Daniels, Dr Matt Loxham and Professor StephenHolgate, Air Quality Adviser to the Royal College of Physicians, who we’ve had theprivilege of interviewing. Working at tECWe’re delighted you’re interested in working at the Environment Centre (tEC).To apply for a role, please visit www.environmentcentre.com/jobs to view our vacanciesand download an application form. Completed application forms should be emailed tojobs@environmentcentre.com before the closing date specified on the advert.Whilst we operate a hybrid working pattern, we appreciate seeing colleagues in person atour city centre office, just a short walk from Southampton Central train station. The Environment Centre (tEC)14-15 Brunswick PlaceSouthamptonSO15 2AQJob descriptionTrainee Energy AdviserLocation: Southampton (hybrid working)Salary (per annum): £26,250 rising to £27,000 after successfulcompletion of six month probationary period.Type of opportunity: 18 months (immediate start), 37.5 hours perweekApplication details: Please download and complete the application form atwww.environmentcentre.com/jobs. Completed application forms can beemailed to jobs@environmentcentre.com Deadline for applications: Monday, 27 April 2026 at 5pmthInterview dates: 7, 11, 12 or 13 May 2026ththththOverviewAs an Energy Adviser, you will deliver a range of activities, working with stakeholdersacross Hampshire to raise awareness of affordable warmth and energy efficiency issues.You will assist in delivering a range of our energy and fuel poverty projects. This willinvolve providing telephone, written and face-to-face advice on home energy efficiency,sustainability and affordable warmth, including in-depth casework for some customers.Casework will include supporting customers at risk of fuel poverty to reduce their utilitybills, resolve complex billing issues, respond to heating emergencies, install energyefficient home improvements and reduce their environmental impact.The role will also involve delivery of a range of promotional and engagement activities,working with stakeholders and communities across Hampshire to raise awareness ofaffordable warmth and energy efficiency topics. The post holder will be required toaccurately record customer details and information on a range of activities andoutcomes efficiently and diligently.The successful applicant will be an excellent verbal and written communicator with goodattention to detail. We are looking for someone who is highly organised and customerfocused, with a passion for helping others.What’s in it for you?This is a great opportunity to work for an organisation that is passionate abouthelping people.You will be given support and training on energy efficiency and affordable warmthissues and will gain qualifications such as City & Guilds Energy Awareness, Fuel Debtin the Community and Making Every Contact Count Healthy Conversations.We offer hybrid working (a mix of office and home based), a supportive team cultureand generous holiday leave.There may be an opportunity to extend the role beyond the initial contract period;however, this will depend on funding availability, timing, and the success of the postholder in the role.Personal specificationYou are:Passionate about helping people and giving advice, with a confident telephonemanner and a thorough understanding of the necessary attentiveness andpatience required.Willing to learn quickly through training and shadowing colleagues.An outstanding communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, you are able tocomfortably express yourself, and give information and guidance verbally and inwriting to a variety of different audiences.Sensitive to different communication needs and customer circumstances,including people who may be angry or upset.Interested in tackling fuel poverty and encouraging sustainability.A conscientious organiser, able to plan and work flexibly.Willing to undertake routine tasks methodically, with high levels of accuracy andreliability.Self-motivated, with the ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team.Skilled in use of MS office applications including Word, Excel and Outlook.In an ideal world, you are also:Experienced in giving high quality, customer focused advice in the commercialor charity sector.Familiar with the challenges of providing advice and support to vulnerablehouseholds.Well-informed on energy efficiency and affordable warmth matters.Experienced in home energy efficiency and affordable warmth projects or hold arelevant energy qualification e.g. City & Guilds Energy Awareness.Competent using CRM databases e.g. Microsoft Dynamics and remote workingsoftware e.g. Microsoft Teams.In possession of a clean (car) driving licence, and access to own vehicle for travelto meetings, events and home visits as required.Key responsibilities and expectationsProviding appropriate telephone and written advice on affordable warmth andhome energy efficiency matters.Providing face-to-face advice on home energy efficiency at home visits,appointments and outreach events, such as drop-ins and workshops or talks withcommunity groups and frontline services.Supporting clients with queries, disputes and complaints relating to their utilitybills; gathering and analysing relevant information, communicating withsuppliers and working closely with local consumer, financial and debt adviceorganisations.Accurately recording customer details and information on advice provided andoutcomes achieved.Monitoring and reporting on progress against objectives, using quantitative andqualitative data.Working collaboratively with colleagues to effectively identify and engagestakeholders in Hampshire communities.Contributing to tEC communications including case studies, social media andwebsite content.Supporting other administrative work to contribute to overall tEC objectives asrequired.Suggesting new initiatives and approaches to further enhance our work.Any other duties relevant to the work of the post holder may be assigned asrequested by Senior Management. In addition, the post holder must comply withtEC’s general expectations of all employees.ConditionsThe full-time position will require a commitment of 37.5 hours per week. There willbe a six-month probationary period for this role. You will be required to workoccasional evenings and weekends. tEC operates a time of in lieu (TOIL) system.We offer a generous holiday allowance. For full time employees this is 35 days peryear, which includes statutory holidays and the office closure dates betweenChristmas and New Year.We will pay fees and expenses for attending training courses and any expensesincurred in the course of your work will be reimbursed in accordance with tEC’s staffexpenses policy.The Environment Centre (tEC) operates a personal pension scheme.This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure andBarring Service.This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need tohave a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employmentcontract.