Rural Housing and Communities Officer at Dorset Community Action

You will work closely with Parish Councils, local communities, landowners, housing providers and Dorset Council to help rural communities explore and progress solutions to local housing need.

This is a community‑facing, relationship‑based role that combines engagement, analysis and practical problem‑solving. You will manage your own caseload and play a key part in building trust, navigating sensitive issues, and helping partners move ideas towards delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

• Promoting the Rural Housing Enabling service across Dorset
• Supporting communities to understand evidence of local housing need
• Identifying and helping to progress potential affordable housing sites
• Supporting early stages of scheme development through to handover

You will not be expected to come with detailed technical knowledge of rural housing policy. Training, mentoring and technical support will be provided, including support from national and local Rural Housing Enabling networks.

We’re interested in how you work, not just what you’ve done. This role is well suited to someone with strong people skills who is interested in developing a career in housing, community development or place‑based work.

You’ll be able to demonstrate:

• Strong communication and community engagement skills
• The ability to analyse information and present it clearly
• Confidence managing your own workload and priorities
• A collaborative and diplomatic approach to working with different perspectives
• Resilience, pragmatism and a commitment to community‑led solutions

Experience or knowledge of housing, planning or local government is helpful but not essential. We welcome applications from people with transferable skills and will support you to develop the specialist knowledge needed for the role.

You’ll need:

• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings

Why work for Dorset Community Action?

• Meaningful, place‑based work with visible impact in rural communities
• A supportive charity environment with values at its core
• The opportunity to develop specialist skills in rural and affordable housing, with national and local backing