CSR Agency UK | Bespoke Educational Social Impact Courses
Community Energy Engagement Officer
A Community Energy Engagement Officer in an offshore wind farm’s storage zone is the link between the wind farm developers and the local community. This officer explains how the wind farm and its storage facilities, like hydrogen and batteries, work and helps people understand the benefits of renewable energy. Day-to-day, they talk with residents, businesses and schools, answer questions, and build support. They run local events and information sessions, visit schools or community groups, and maintain materials about energy projects. They also meet with local councils and energy partners to share updates and gather feedback.
Key Responsibilities
Builds relationships with local communities around offshore wind farms or energy storage facilities.
• Educates the public about the benefits of renewable energy, such as offshore wind, hydrogen storage, and battery systems.
• Organises public consultations and events to ensure communities understand the impact of energy projects on their areas
• Acts as a point of contact for residents and local groups, answering questions and addressing concerns about new energy projects.
• Works closely with developers, local councils, and environmental groups to ensure community interests are considered in planning and project development.
• Helps create and share information on how communities can get involved in sustainability efforts and benefit from renewable energy projects.
What You’ll Most Likely Be Doing:
• Communicating the benefits and impacts of energy projects to local communities through presentations, newsletters, and social media.
• Organising public consultations, town hall meetings, or workshops to engage residents and stakeholders.
• Working with local governments and organisations to gather feedback on energy projects and ensure community concerns are addressed.
• Writing reports and creating content that explains how renewable energy projects, like wind farms and hydrogen storage, support local economies and the environment.
• Assisting with the development of community-focused initiatives that help people understand renewable energy systems and get involved in energy-saving projects.
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Salary Range
Entry-Level
Experienced
Essential Skills
Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills. You’ll explain complex energy topics simply and write reports or newsletters.
• Interpersonal skills: Building trust and relationships with diverse groups. You’ll meet residents, business owners, council officers, etc., and need to work well with all of them.
• Organizational skills: You’ll often plan events or manage projects, so good planning, time management and attention to detail are needed.
• Teamwork: You’ll be part of a wider project team and coordinate volunteers or community groups, so cooperating with others is key.
• Technical awareness: Basic knowledge of energy, renewables and hydrogen topics. You don’t have to be an engineer, but understanding how wind turbines, batteries and hydrogen systems work will help you explain them to others.
• Digital skills: Comfort with Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel) and social media or websites. You may update websites or create presentations and online content.
• Flexibility and initiative: The community often has new questions or concerns. Being adaptable, proactive, and ready to solve problems, like planning a new workshop or survey, is important.
Qualifications and Training
There are a few different paths you can take to become a Community Engagement Officer, depending on whether you want to go to college, university, or start working through an apprenticeship. This role is all about helping people understand how clean energy projects like
wind farms or hydrogen storage can benefit their community. So, you’ll need good communication, planning, and teamwork skills.
At School (GCSEs or National 5s in Scotland) - Aim for at least 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (A*-C) including:
• English Language - important for writing clearly, giving talks, and speaking to the public.
• Maths - useful for organising events, handling budgets, or making reports.
• Geography or Science – helps you understand environmental issues and how wind farms work.
After GCSEs - College or Sixth Form, you can go on to take A-Levels in subjects like:
• Geography, Politics or Sociology – to understand how decisions are made and how to work with different communities.
• Media Studies or English – to learn how to write articles, design posters, or run social media campaigns.
• Environmental Science or Business – if you’re interested in how renewable energy projects are planned and managed.
Or choose a Level 3 BTEC or T Level in:
• Business, Public Services, Environmental Science, or Media – these give you practical skills and can lead to a job, university, or apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships:
If you prefer learning by doing, you can start a Level 3 or 4 apprenticeship. These are paid jobs with training and could include:
• Community and Health Worker.
• Cultural Learning & Participation Officer.
• Business Administrator.
• Associate Project Manager.
University:
Later, if you want to take your learning further, some useful university degrees include:
• Environmental Science or Sustainability.
• Public Policy or Politics.
• Media & Environmental Communication.
• Geography or Community Development.
Having a degree can help you build the communication, environmental, and policy skills needed to work with local communities and support renewable energy storage projects. Many roles also involve understanding energy systems, planning regulations, and how to explain complex topics to the public. Some useful A-level subjects include:
• Geography – Great for understanding land use, community planning, and sustainability.
• Environmental Science or Biology – Helps you learn how ecosystems and climate systems work.
• Politics or Sociology – Useful for learning how government, society, and public policy interact.
• Media or English – Helps you develop writing, presenting, and outreach skills.
After A-levels, one of the best ways to become a Community Engagement Officer in the offshore wind and energy storage sector is to study for a relevant degree. A few of these degrees are:
• Environmental Science or Environmental Management, which teaches you about ecosystems, climate change, and how energy systems work. These degrees also help you develop skills in project management and communication, both of which are crucial when working with local communities and explaining how new energy projects affect
their area. This includes the Environmental Science course at the University of South Wales, which typically asks for BBB at A-level, or the Environmental Management course
at the University of Manchester, which usually asks for ABB.
• Sustainability or Climate Change, such as Sustainability and Environmental Management at the University of Leeds, which requires BBC at A-Level. This degree covers how
renewable energy projects affect both people and the planet. You’ll learn about net-zero targets, environmental justice, and the big-picture transition to cleaner energy, which is
ideal if you want to help communities understand how hydrogen or battery storage fits into a greener future.
After completing your undergraduate degree, doing a master’s can help you move into more senior roles, especially those focused on leadership, policy, or managing large-scale community projects.
• Environmental Management or Sustainability - Such as the course at Lancaster University or the University of Leeds. These degrees are ideal if you want to lead green energy initiatives that involve local people. You’ll learn how to run sustainable development projects, manage stakeholder relationships, and understand the environmental risks linked to large storage and offshore energy sites. Courses typically ask for at least a 2:1 in a relevant subject like Geography, Environmental Science, or Politics.
• Renewable Energy Management or Energy Policy, which focuses more directly on how governments and companies plan clean energy transitions. At Coventry University, for example, their MSc in Renewable Energy Management covers hydrogen, battery storage, and carbon reduction targets. You’ll study how to support these technologies
from a community perspective, helping ensure local voices are heard in national energy strategies. These courses often accept students with a 2:2 or above and are particularly useful for those who want to work with local authorities or regional partnerships.
Level 6 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner – This apprenticeship is designed for those interested in managing sustainability and community engagement strategies. It’s used by some local authorities, such as the LDN Community Engagement Academy in London, to train staff working on climate action and energy projects. You’ll learn how to plan consultations, communicate environmental goals to local communities, and work with councils or companies on clean energy strategies. Entry usually requires A-Levels (around BBB) or a relevant Level 3 qualification. This apprenticeship is ideal if you want to work on the policy and public-facing side of offshore wind and energy storage.
• Level 4 Associate Project Manager – This apprenticeship teaches you how to manage community energy projects and lead local engagement campaigns. You’ll learn how to plan outreach activities, work with stakeholders, and adjust your communication style to different audiences. It’s great for those who want to lead local events, coordinate public consultations, or support planning teams in renewable energy projects. Entry requirements usually include 5 GCSEs and sometimes A-Levels or a Level 3 qualification.
• Level 3 Community Health & Support Worker – This pathway trains you to work directly with people in your area, identifying community needs and offering support. In the context of energy, that could include helping residents understand new hydrogen or battery storage units being built nearby. You’ll gain skills in communication, wellbeing, and local partnership-building, which is important for any Community Engagement Officer. Most providers ask for GCSEs in English and Maths.
• Level 3 Cultural Learning & Participation Officer – This apprenticeship focuses on creating and running public events, workshops, or school sessions. It teaches you how to engage different audiences, share environmental messages, and promote inclusive access to information. This is a strong choice if you want to help local people learn about offshore wind farms or take part in community decisions about clean energy infrastructure.
Training Providers in the UK