Job Introduction
Portsmouth City Council’s Energy & Sustainability Services Team seeks to employ a Senior Decarbonisation Officer to act in a senior capacity to identify, develop and deliver decarbonisation opportunities across Council assets, and provide oversight on the ongoing reporting of the Council's carbon emissions.
Your new role
In this influential role, you'll lead and support the development and delivery of decarbonisation strategies, carbon reduction projects and sustainability initiatives across the Council's general fund assets. You'll be responsible for carbon budgeting, emissions monitoring, performance reporting and the delivery of the Council's Carbon Action Plan, helping to shape both organisational and city-wide approaches to reducing carbon emissions.
Working collaboratively across directorates and with external partners, you'll identify funding opportunities, manage decarbonisation projects and contracts, analyse complex carbon data, and provide expert advice to senior stakeholders. The role offers the opportunity to influence sustainability programmes across Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth Homes, the Port and other Council-owned entities, while supporting wider corporate priorities including biodiversity, air quality and environmental improvement.
Who is the person summary:
You'll bring a degree or MSc in energy, sustainability, climate science, decarbonisation, environmental disciplines, or a related field, or significant equivalent experience of at least five years. You will have a proven track record of developing and delivering decarbonisation and carbon reduction programmes, with strong knowledge of climate science, carbon management, UK net-zero policy, and sustainability best practice.
You will be experienced in translating strategic objectives into deliverable plans, managing budgets, securing funding opportunities, and providing expert advice to a range of stakeholders. Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills are essential, along with the ability to interpret technical data, produce high-quality reports and presentations, and use relevant energy, carbon reporting, and Microsoft Office systems effectively.
A driving license is essential for this role.
For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
As part of Local Government Reorganisation, current plans will see Portsmouth City Council combine with the district and borough councils of Fareham, Gosport and Havant and parts of East Hampshire and Winchester district councils to form a new, larger unitary authority for south east Hampshire.
We are working towards an implementation date of 1st April 2028, known as vesting day, subject to Parliamentary approval. Until then, we remain focused on maintaining continuity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to deliver excellent services to our residents throughout the transition to the new unitary authority.
This is an exciting time to join us, offering the opportunity to contribute to organisational transformation, develop your career, and help shape future services for our communities.
More information about Local Government Reorganisation can be found on our website: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/your-council/devolution-and-lgr/
Additional Information
Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 3 days a week (pro rata for part time), this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs.
We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Interview date: Interviews will be held in person at the Civic Offices, Portsmouth between 10th September and 11th September 2026, and will last approximately 1.5 hours.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [email protected] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
