We have very exciting news on its way, involving a new delivery contract for ZCG. This has enabled us to offer two types of paid role that can help to drive emissions reductions across Surrey, cut residents' bills and save energy - and reward you for your time!
About The Energy Surveys Project
Zero Carbon Guildford is part of a Surrey consortium which has successfully secured funding from the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator project (LEAD). The funding comes from the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero, and is distributed via the Greater South East Energy Hub (GSEEH).
We are one of 36 projects in the UK to be awarded funding to deliver innovative in-person energy advice to target audiences, and we have teamed up with Surrey County Council (SCC), the lead partner in the consortium, to create a project that helps to remove obstacles to retrofit and energy efficiency. We will be making a full announcement in the coming days, but we are keen to start recruiting, so read on for more information on the opportunities available.
ZCG will be working with community groups across Surrey to deliver thermal imaging surveys and in-person energy advice, providing a supported first step on the resident's retrofit journey. Surveyors will also signpost residents to the SCC component of the project, which will be the development of a 'One Stop Shop', a retrofit planner which uses a resident's house type and budget to create a high-level retrofit plan which takes into account factors such as when the price of technologies will come down, when installation prices will lower due to wider availability of green skills etc.
We have 2 types of role available within the project:
1 x Project Coordinator: To help coordinate and report on the project
Energy Champions: who will carry out energy surveys across Surrey (multiple positions)
How The Project Works
Trained Energy Champions will visit the homes of Surrey residents who fall into specific target audiences. These target audiences were identified as part of the funding agreement to ensure support goes to homes which will benefit most from the surveys, through either cost or carbon savings, and have the most difficulty in improving home efficiency. The Champions will conduct thermal imaging surveys and deliver in-person advice tailored to the householder's circumstances. The survey is free to the householder, but the Energy Champion is paid £25 per survey. This is made possible by the LEAD funding.
The surveyor provides tailor-made suggestions on how the householder could improve their energy efficiency, save on bills, and signposts them to further support such as funding for retrofit measures. No experience is necessary, as all training is provided. Surveyors are not qualified Retrofit Assessors, and a clear distinction is made on this, as calculations and specific recommendations on measures are out of scope of the role. Any out of scope questions are passed to qualified Retrofit Assessors.
We have a number of groups set up across Surrey, which you can get involved with. Currently there are gaps in Epsom & Ewell, Tandridge, and Surrey Heath, so if you live in those areas and fancy driving a local project with centralised support that can help your community then get in touch! We are on a mission to find those as passionate as we are about making sure that everyone needing it, receives this help.
There are 2 roles available within the project, 1 for a Project Coordinator, and multiple positions for Energy Champions right across the county. Read on to see if one of the roles suits you!
ROLE: Energy Surveys Project Coordinator
Job Title | Energy Surveys Project Coordinator |
Location | Flexible working from home and ZERO, Guildford |
Hours | 2.5 days per week (0.5 contract) |
Contract | Employed / Self-employed, to Nov 3oth 2024 |
Reporting to | Zero Carbon Guildford Trustees |
Training | In-house and NEA Delivering High Quality Energy Advice |
Salary | £35,000 pro rata |
Deadline | Midnight 26th Nov 2023 Application Deadline |
Apply | Email CV & Cover Letter to alice@zerocarbonguildford.org |
ZCG's part of the LEAD project will focus on delivering independent in-person energy advice to Surrey residents, through a network of trained Energy Champions. The Champions will conduct in-person surveys at residents’ homes, providing bespoke high-level advice, signposting residents to grants and support that help reduce energy bills, make their homes modern, comfortable and healthy, and reduce carbon emissions across Surrey.
This role will work in tandem with another part-time Project Coordinator and liaise with a number of community groups across Surrey who are part of the delivery process, to oversee, monitor, and report on the project, tying together the work happening on-the-ground across the county, and providing reporting stats to delivery partners.
The job description
Candidates must be well organised and ideally have experience in project management and/or reporting. You should be passionate about energy reduction and practical solutions to support residents, but no experience in the energy sector is necessary. We can provide training to cover the range of information you will need to know about energy efficiency and retrofit, with technical enquiries signposted to qualified Retrofit Assessors.
The role will be on a 0.5 basis (2.5 days per week) until Nov 30th 2024. Hours and location are flexible to some extent. Your activities will include:
Collating survey information and statistics
Monitoring and reporting of project delivery
Generating survey leads through occasional outreach events
Finalising and approving energy survey reports
Supporting and signposting residents with energy efficiency and retrofit guidance
Liaising between residents and energy champions
Handling incoming enquiries and making survey bookings
Coordinate reporting of marketing metrics
Additionally, you can conduct in-person energy surveys alongside your role, which pay £25 per survey. This is optional, but would help you to build a more diverse skill set if you are looking to retrain into the energy efficiency and retrofit market.
Training and expertise
The Project Coordinator will be required to undergo the same training as Energy Champions, so that they are well equipped to resolve queries. This means attending the in-person training course, and completing a self-learn NEA Delivering High Quality Energy Advice course. (Unless the applicant holds Level 3 Energy Awareness, Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or equivalent qualification.)
You will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate in order to carry out the role, as well as to provide references. Zero Carbon Guildford will fund the basic DBS check.
We’re looking for a project coordinator with great organisational skills and proven ability to adapt with the project as it develops. The project coordinator should have good people skills, and be enthusiastic about driving energy-use reduction and helping fellow residents.
How to apply
E-mail a CV and Cover Letter to alice@zerocarbonguildford.org
ROLE: Energy Champions
Job Title | Energy Champion |
Location | Surrey-wide (surveys allocated by geographical location) |
Hours | 1-2 evenings per week, totally up to Champion. Demand dependent |
Contract | Self-employed, remuneration based on number of surveys completed |
Reporting to | Energy Surveys Project Coordinator |
Training | In house + NEA Delivering High Quality Energy Advice (self-learn, 3 hrs) |
Payment | £25 per survey, including write-up |
Deadline | Ongoing |
The job description
As an Energy Champion you will be required to provide tailored suggestions and support to help residents reduce their energy use, cut fuel bill costs and make their homes easier to keep warm. More information on the project will be posted within the coming days when a wider announcement is made.
Using a thermal imaging camera, up-to-date energy-reduction advice, and our assessment template, you will visit residents who fall into one of the project's target audiences and provide bespoke advice based on their needs. Surveys typically take 45 - 60 mins, and are best done in the evenings.
Energy Champions will undertake the following:
Provide in-person energy advice and thermal imaging surveys
Generate leads for surveys through local marketing and word of mouth
Identify areas of potential improved efficiency or energy saving measures
Provide suggestions and observations for the homeowner
Provide general recommendations to support the resident's needs
Liaise with the project coordinator or your local point person
Answer any follow up questions where appropriate
The report auto-generates, so the bulk of work is during the survey
You can complete 3 or 4 surveys per evening, and there is no upper limit to how many you conduct
Technical queries and anything beyond the scope of your training is referred to a Retrofit Assessor or other appropriately qualified person or body
What are we looking for
Energy Champions' main role will be to offer suggestions and potential solutions to a wide range of people within target audiences.. It is important you understand specific challenges faced by households, have a practical approach to solving problems and are comfortable building a rapport with residents. You will be happy to work flexibly and to use your own initiative and judgement to support residents.
Community groups who are partnering with us are organising events and drop in energy advice cafes, so you may be asked to support your local group with these, though it's not mandatory.
Training and expertise
We are looking for Energy Champions who are passionate both about energy and about helping people, rather than formally qualified people. You should have some practical knowledge of basic energy saving and efficiency approaches, but our free in-person training sessions, and registration on NEA's Delivering High Quality Energy Advice self-learn course will cover everything you need to know, whilst queries that are out-of-scope will be referred to a qualified professional. (Note, training is not mandatory if you already hold Level 3 Energy Awareness, Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or equivalent qualification.)
As you may be dealing with vulnerable people in their own homes, you will also need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate in order to carry out the role. Zero Carbon Guildford will fund the basic DBS check.