Community Development Practitioner (LERO and Equity focus)

Full Time, Fixed Term until 31st March 2028 funded through the Public Health Substance Use Team.

Are you passionate about empowering communities and tackling inequality? Do you have experience or understanding of recovery from drug or alcohol use, and want to create meaningful change across Bristol, improving representation of diverse communities within substance use services?

We’re looking for a Community Development Practitioner to join us, supporting and strengthening recovery communities through a lived experience and equity-led approach.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside people in recovery, community organisations and partners to improve access, inclusion and representation in drug and alcohol services, particularly from members of diverse communities.

You will:

• Work directly with people with lived experience of substance use to strengthen their voice and influence.
• Build connections across communities using asset-based approaches.
• Facilitate inclusive spaces where people can share experiences, explore challenges and co-design solutions.
• Help reduce barriers to participation and tackle inequality.
• Develop partnerships across the council, NHS, and voluntary and community sector.
• Support communities to take action and build long-term resilience.
  
  

About you

We’re looking for someone who is collaborative, reflective and committed to equity.

You will bring:

• Experience or understanding of drug and/or alcohol recovery and the role of community support.
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Insight into inequality and how it affects individuals and communities.
• Experience of facilitating groups and working with diverse communities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to use data, learning and feedback to improve practice.
  
  

Desirable (but not essential)

• Background in community development, youth work, or public health.
• Experience of asset-based community development approaches.
• Confidence using digital tools for engagement and communication.
  
  

What you’ll get

• The opportunity to shape innovative, community-led work across Bristol
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities
  
  

• The role is based in the South Community Development Team with a city-wide remit

The role is based in the South Community Development Team with a city-wide remit

If you want to help build stronger, more inclusive communities and make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Bristol City Council is committed to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of substance use and recovery, and individuals from under-represented groups.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive.

We warmly welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience and from under-represented communities.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

For an informal chat about the role you can contact sam.parker@bristol.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can attend one of our ‘find out more’ drop in sessions;

Tuesday 23rd June 18:00: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/362664103967664?p=9XiKoRUn9bgVS5FEGR

Wednesday 1st July 13:00: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/332072485849973?p=AYBgX6YXVhCyZZeEgs

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. 

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.