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- Tasks: Support Council meetings, manage agendas, and ensure transparency in decision-making.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire County Council, dedicated to effective local governance and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team influencing local democracy and making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree level education, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
- Other info: Opportunity to gain a professional qualification in Democratic Services Knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 37035 - 44442 £ per year.
Salary: Level 10 – £37,035 pa
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 37 per week
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.
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.
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.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Elaine Shell or Deborah Jeffery on 01992 555565 / 01992 555563.
Deadline for applications: Friday 18 July 2025
For full details and to apply, please click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button below.
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Democratic Services Officer, Hertfordshire County Council employer: Association Of Democratic Services Officers
Contact Detail:
Association Of Democratic Services Officers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Officer, Hertfordshire County Council
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local governance structure and the specific responsibilities of the Democratic Services team at Hertfordshire County Council. Understanding how they operate will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in local democracy during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Democratic Services team or similar roles. Engaging in conversations can provide you with insider knowledge about the role and the team dynamics, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current issues and developments in local government and democracy. Being well-informed will allow you to speak confidently about relevant topics and show your commitment to the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your organisational skills and ability to work under pressure. Think of specific examples from your past experiences that highlight these abilities, as they are crucial for managing the various meetings and tasks involved in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic Services Officer, Hertfordshire County Council
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Democratic Services Officer. Familiarise yourself with local democracy, governance, and the specific duties outlined in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job requirements. Emphasise your communication skills, IT proficiency, and any experience in a political or governance environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for local democracy and governance. Mention specific examples of how your background makes you a suitable candidate for this role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Association Of Democratic Services Officers
✨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, as this knowledge will be crucial in demonstrating your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Communication Skills
Since excellent oral and written communication skills are essential for this position, prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you can convey complex information clearly to both Members of the Council and the public.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
The role requires the ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully organised events or managed workloads, highlighting your prioritisation skills and ability to meet deadlines.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
As a Democratic Services Officer, you'll need to forge and maintain relationships with various professionals. Think of ways you've built rapport in past experiences and be prepared to discuss how you would approach relationship-building in this role.
