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- Tasks: Support Council meetings, manage agendas, and ensure transparent decision-making.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire County Council, a key player in local governance and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that champions democracy and good governance in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
- Other info: Disability Confident employer; guaranteed interview for applicants with disabilities meeting criteria.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 41000 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £37,035 opportunity to progress to £40,476 pa (pro-rata for part-time) per annum (pro rata for part time) – pay award pending
Hours: 37.0
Location: Stevenage/hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Resources
About The Team
The Democratic Services Team ensures proper and effective arrangements for all formal Council meetings in accordance with the law and the Council's Constitution, involving 17 different 'types' of meeting and over 130 meetings per year. The team provide agenda and report development and publication, event co-ordination including pre-meeting briefings, liaison with attendees and external participants, press and public, live broadcasting, electronic voting, constitutional and procedural advice, and minute production. The team also manage the Corporate Forward Plan of Key Decisions, the Council's petitions scheme, appointments to Outside Bodies, the Independent Panel on Member Allowances, the Disciplinary Statutory Officers Panel, the Council's programme of meetings and deal with constitutional and democracy issues such as Member Interests and the Member Code of Conduct.
About The Role
We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic individual with a genuine interest in local democracy, good governance, the law as it relates to local authority meetings, decision-making and administration to join our Democratic Services team. As a democratic services officer you will play a key role in supporting the Council’s governance and decision-making processes, helping to ensure that formal decision making is open and transparent, provides clear accountability for the use of resources in delivering the Council’s priorities, and that council meetings are managed effectively and lawfully.
About You
- Essential:
- Educated to degree level
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
- IT Skills, Microsoft Office and Excel
- Forge and maintain relationships with a wide range of professionals.
- Demonstrate the ability to work under pressure and be able to organise and prioritise your workload.
- Be a Team player who enjoys variety and pace in a challenging environment.
- Confidence in advising Members of the Council and senior officers on council meeting and decision-making processes, both in private and in public forum.
- Desirable:
- Be able to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Councils’ Constitution and statutory provisions relating to authority meetings.
- Experience in managing meetings within a political or governance environment.
You will be expected to undertake the Association of Democratic Services Officer’s Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge where this qualification is not already held.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is within the Corporate Services, level CORP10 job profile.
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Elaine Shell or Deborah Jeffery on 01992 555565 / 01992 555563 for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview Date: w/c 28th July 2025
Benefits of working for us
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).
Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries
Government Administration
Democratic Services Officer employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local governance structure and the specific responsibilities of a Democratic Services Officer. Understanding how council meetings are conducted and the legal frameworks involved will give you an edge in discussions during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles, especially within local councils. They can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges, which can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing meetings or events, particularly in a political or governance context. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your organisational skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by being articulate and confident in any informal discussions or interviews. Practice explaining complex concepts related to local democracy in simple terms, as this will demonstrate your ability to advise council members effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic Services Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to the Democratic Services Officer role. Highlight relevant experience, particularly in local governance, meeting management, and communication skills. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks.
Craft a Compelling Covering Paragraph: In your application, include a short covering paragraph that summarises your skills, knowledge, and experiences related to the role. This is your chance to make a strong first impression, so be concise and focus on what makes you a great fit for the team.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications: If you have any qualifications related to democratic services or local governance, be sure to mention them. If you are willing to undertake the Association of Democratic Services Officers’ Certificate, include this in your application to show your commitment to professional development.
Demonstrate Communication Skills: Since excellent oral and written communication skills are essential for this role, ensure that your application is well-written and free of errors. Use clear and professional language, and consider including examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Understand Local Democracy
Make sure you have a solid grasp of local democracy and governance. Familiarise yourself with the Council's Constitution and statutory provisions related to authority meetings. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Communication Skills
As a Democratic Services Officer, excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, especially in high-pressure situations. This will highlight your ability to advise Members and senior officers confidently.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage your workload and prioritise tasks. The role involves coordinating numerous meetings and events, so share specific instances where you've successfully organised complex schedules or managed multiple responsibilities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in a governance context. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, particularly regarding decision-making processes and meeting management.
