Well there’s no doubt about it, there are definitely fewer government jobs being listed on the Guardian jobsite with only 241 featured today, versus almost 500 back in October 2009, and it’s fair to say that this did look like good news for the taxpayer. That was before we noticed two things. Firstly, so many of the jobs advertised are of a non-vital, backroom variety and secondly, the website jobsgopublic.com has no fewer than 1069 government positions advertised as we speak.
A browse around this new jobs website left us somewhat agog.
From a 'Healthy Workplace Advisor' position at Northamptonshire County Council (£22,221 - £23,708 pa) to a vacancy for a 'Trampoline Coach' at Medway Council (£14,143 - £15,917 pro rata), there are a plethora of non-jobs still alive-and-kicking in the very local authorities threatening that savage cuts could/will compromise frontline services.
And it’s not just local authorities creating questionable posts. A TPA supporter emailed over a Foreign Office vacancy just this week, stating that the British Embassy in Bangkok would like a 'Climate Change Officer' to lead their climate change work in Thailand (£1,350 per month in the local currency). Duties to include:
• Developing a strategy to support a low carbon, high growth economy in Thailand.
• Working with media, civil society, business and Government bodies to promote low carbon economic development in Thailand, and persuading key stakeholders that a stable climate is essential for security and prosperity.
• Collecting information and reporting on climate change and energy policy in Thailand, including vulnerability to climate induced changes and potential for emissions’ reductions.
Yet though we’ve now learned to cast our net a little wider when looking for the latest non-job of the week. This Wednesday’s nomination still comes from the Guardian and is being advertised by the London Borough of Hounslow:
"Sustainable Travel Marketing Officer
£29,601 - £31,761
Environment Department
2 year fixed-term contract
Ref: 100181
The London Borough of Hounslow is seeking an enthusiastic marketing professional, with an interest in promoting sustainable travel, to join our award winning Transport Planning team, committed to improving the quality of life for those living in the Borough and reducing the negative environmental impacts of transport.
You will be responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating marketing campaigns and initiatives designed to promote sustainable travel, with a particular focus on the promotion of ‘active travel’ methods (walking and cycling) to those who live or work in the Borough. As part of your role you will also be leading on the implementation of the high profile EU funded ‘SEGMENT’ project which seeks to develop innovative new techniques to better tailor our promotional campaigns.
This role is ideal for someone dedicated to promoting and implementing social marketing campaigns in a collaborative fashion with multiple partners within a culturally diverse urban area. For an informal discussion please contact Mark Frost, Senior Transport Planner, on 020 8583 5037.
Yet another taxpayer-funded ‘save the world’ salary, in place to cajole, coerce and generally preach to the ignorant masses (who happen to be paying for the privilege). And let’s face it, the salary is just the tip of the iceberg – the campaigns, events, promotional materials this person is tasked with producing won’t come cheap at all.
And what’s it all for? To tell you to walk or cycle.
Perhaps they’re tactic is a lot cleverer than we’ve all realised. It looks as though they plan to bankrupt the taxpayer so we’ve no other choice but to opt for such ‘sustainable travel’.