Circular Communities Cymru CIC (CCC), in partnership with Crest Cooperative (CREST)

Job Vacancy

ROLE 1: Polymer Engagement Manager x 2.5 days per week

Circular Communities Cymru CIC (CCC), in partnership with Crest Cooperative (CREST), are seeking a highly motivated and experienced community engagement manager, to take the benefits and opportunities of reprocessing the seven polymers, to local schools, businesses and community organisations. This engagement role will be crucial in building up participation within our new local Polymer Workshop; and as such will work very closely at each key stage of the project, alongside the Polymer Workshop Manager being recruited at the same time (see below).

The Polymer Cymru partnership, supported by the National Lottery, aims to trial and refine new processes for the community separation and collection of different plastic polymers and create saleable products, through molding, pressing and extrusion techniques. This engagement role will be key towards promoting a meaningful circular community that benefits people; one where material and wealth are in the hands of community initiatives and the people they serve.

As the project is designed to involve the community in the collection of material and the creation of products, the success of this innovative ambition relies on community engagement. Reaching out to the community in various ways you will educate and encouraging people young and old to separate different types of plastic polymers and utilise Train the Trainer systems to gain quicker traction. This will enable the full and long-term value of the material to be realised locally at scale. Collection of single streams, which can then be washed, shredded, and sorted, will serve as feedstock for the creative process of manufacturing new plastic products. The ability to design, produce and build a catalogue of training packs and other support materials, as the need arises, will be crucial. Side by side with this, the ability to deliver face-to-face taster sessions and workshops as well as building Polymer Cymru’s cross platform presence, will be core to the role.

Responsibilities:

• Alongside CCC and CREST, engage with the community to promote the separation of plastic polymers and facilitate the collection of single stream; building a portfolio of promotional materials as the evolving needs emerge
• Collaborate with partner organisations to coordinate workshop management and support services
• Utilise the best of the open source ‘Precious Plastic’ offerings whilst working alongside CCC to develop the new source separation vision of the Polymer Cymru partnership
• Attend monthly management meetings chaired by CCC as well as project partnership meetings: CCC, CREST and Welcome to Our Woods (who are hosting the South Wales project)
• Provide regular progress reports and updates to stakeholders

Requirements:

• Proven experience in project management in the field of communications
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and good working practices
• Experience of community engagement across sectors
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for delivering education/training programmes
• The ability to work collaboratively with partner organisations 
• The ability to think creatively and entrepreneurially, as part of a small but collaborative team, helping to give this innovative project a bright and exciting future.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to sustainability and circular community principles

ROLE 2: Polymer Workshop Manager x 2.5 days per week

Circular Communities Cymru CIC (CCC), in partnership with Crest Cooperative (CREST) are seeking a highly motivated Polymer Workshop Manager to guide and assist local clients of our new Polymer workshop. The partnership, supported by the Lottery, aims to trial and refine new processes for the community separation and collection of different ‘plastic’ polymers and create new products, contributing to the vision of a circular community; where material and wealth are in the hands of community initiatives and the people they serve. As Workshop Manager, you will be leading on the hands-on skilling of the community to be able to use the workshop safely and creatively.

The workshop you will manage will house semi-industrial machines allowing community members to separate, clean, flake and mold plastic into products of their choosing. Whilst the machinery is likely to be unfamiliar to most applicants, technical workshop knowledge will certainly be required including health and safety expertise in ensuring the smooth operation of the facility. Additionally, designing and creating goods within a workshop setting whilst having an instinct for market trends will be essential to the role; offering truly attractive products that can be sold to generate revenues. 

Whilst the Workshop Manager will hold responsibility for the coordination and delivery of workshop facilitation, they will be expected to work closely alongside the Community Engagement Manager (see above).

Responsibilities:

• Alongside CCC and CREST, set up and manage the plastic recycling workshop, overseeing the operation of four semi-industrial machines.
• Supervise people of all ages whilst operating any aspect of the workshop or design shop activities.
• Utilise the best of the open source ‘Precious Plastic’ offerings online whilst working alongside all within the Wales partnership to develop a new polymer utilisation vision.
• Collaborate with the voluntary participation of design undergraduates or post graduate students, 3D printer specialists and the like in producing valuable, saleable products.
• Support the community engagement work by providing demonstration back-up, at the workshop (and eventually/potentially mobile) to educate the community about the project’s workshop potential. 
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and implement good working practices.
• Utilise creative, technical, and entrepreneurial flare to optimize the production process and create marketable plastic products that will carry the project forward.
• Attend monthly management meetings chaired by CCC as well as project partnership meetings: CCC, CREST and Welcome to Our Woods (who are hosting the South Wales project)

Requirements:

• Proven experience in project management
• Knowledge and experience of health and safety regulations and good working practices.
• Familiarity with workshop processes and the ability to optimise production.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in facilitating workshop-use by the community with different age groups and abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partner organisations. 
• The ability to think creatively and entrepreneurially, as part of a small but collaborative team, helping give this innovative project a bright and exciting future.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to sustainability and circular community principles.
• Creatively grow the offer of saleable products, for the sustainability and growth of the project