Active Communities Assistant

Job Introduction

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This role has a starting salary of £23,757.60 per annum, based on a 28.8-hour working week (pro rata to £29,697 FTE). This is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until September 2026.

Are you passionate about cycling and ensuring every child learns how to ride a bike? If so, we’d LOVE to hear from you! Active Surrey is looking for an ambitious, driven and inspiring Active Communities Assistant to join the dynamic and passionate Active Surrey team.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

We are Active Surrey. We are one of 43 national Active Partnerships, who are funded by Sport England, to tackle inactivity which is driven by inequalities. We believe in the power of physical activity and the benefits it can offer. A mood booster, a confidence lifter, a social enhancer and a life extender. Less than half Surrey’s kids are doing enough physical activity every week, which falls to only 4 out of 10 children amongst lower-income families. In addition, 3 out of 10 Surrey adults aren’t doing enough, rising to over 4 out of 10 amongst those earning less. That’s why we need YOU to join our Movement for Change.

• Help us challenge and change the status quo to get more people moving
• Help us create a fairer, better and healthier future for everyone

You’ll love this job if:

• You’re ambitious, dynamic, a change-agent, passionate about using your energy to make a positive difference to communities who need it most
• You’re friendly, personable, persuasive, supportive, collaborative, great at building relationships, skilled at working independently and as part of a team
• You’re pro-active, flexible, like to try new ideas, and have an interest or passion for cycling
• You believe in the power of sport and physical activity to transform lives

About the Role

In this job you’ll be: 

Part of the Active Communities Team, dedicated to creating a healthier, greener and more sustainable Surrey.

Supporting Schools where Bikeability level 2 uptake is low due to children lacking access to bikes.

Creating the Bike Loan Programme

• Collaborating with the Cycle Training Team to identify schools in need
• Establish a pool of loaned bikes for these schools, enabling more children to complete the Bikeability level 2 course
• Following completion, children will have the chance to take a free recycled bike home

Developing Bike Recycling Partnerships

• Manage relationships with key partners in the sector in Surrey
• Provide capacity building support to third sector and not-for-profit businesses connected to the circular cycling economy
• Coordinate logistics between various recycling partners, unwanted bike supply chain and end destinations (shops/bike libraries/end users)
• Support the development of the cycling circular economy sector in Surrey through networking events and other communications

Collaborating and Building Relationships

• Work with key internal stakeholders i.e. Comms, Finance, Education, Services for Young People, Adult Social Care, Targeted Youth Support to identify routes to get bikes to key target audiences, fund bikes for key target audiences, to promote schemes and to demonstrate impact to internal and external stakeholders. 
• Support the team with wider administrative and event support when business needs require

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Experience of working with and influencing a range of stakeholders
• Knowledge of community development and project management
• Evidence of partnership working, particularly with voluntary sector organisations
• IT skills including email, MS Office and other databases
• An ability and willingness to work flexibly to support different team members when required, including flexible hours, which may include some evenings and weekends and occasional overnight stays
• Enthusiasm and interest in cycling and basic bike maintenance skills

We are open to the background and experience that the right candidate can bring. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with additional needs and disabilities and people from ethnically diverse communities who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas therefore you will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Application Questions

To apply, alongside your CV, you will be asked to answer the following questions:

1. Please describe a time when you successfully influenced a range of stakeholders to support a project or initiative.
2. Can you provide an example of a community development project you have managed or contributed to? What were your responsibilities, and how did you ensure the project met its goals?
3. Tell us about a time you worked in partnership with a voluntary or community organisation.
4. Please outline your experience using IT tools such as Microsoft Office, email, and databases in a work or volunteer setting.
5. What interests you about cycling, and what experience do you have with basic bike maintenance? Please include any relevant volunteering, personal projects, or training.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal conversation or further information about these roles, please email lisa.bywell@surreycc.gov.uk.

The closing date for applications is 10th August 2025 with interviews to follow. As part of our commitment to inclusion interview questions will be provided in advance. 

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils. 

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.