At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage FOI requests, coordinate complaints, and support financial administration in a dynamic planning service.
- Company: Local authority in South London with a commitment to transparency and community service.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate of £22.14 PAYE and flexible working opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by ensuring public access to information and improving service standards.
- Qualifications: Experience in handling FOI requests and strong administrative skills required.
Our local authority client based in South London are urgently seeking an experienced Freedom of Information Officer.
Main Purpose of the job:
- To work flexibly across the planning service to provide in-depth technical and administrative support, with a primary focus on:
- Handling, monitoring and coordinating planning service complaints (including logging, tracking, performance reporting and quality assurance of responses)
- Coordinating and responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) and related information requests (including collation, redaction support and deadline management)
- Finance support including income monitoring, cost recovery, debt chasing and reconciliations; producing management information and reports
- Maintaining accurate records across relevant planning systems to support effective casework, complaints and information governance processes
Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:
- To manage the end-to-end administration of planning service complaints, including logging/acknowledgement, tracking deadlines, coordinating input from service areas, quality-checking draft responses and ensuring replies are issued within required timescales.
- To coordinate and respond to FOI, EIR and related information requests for the Planning Service, including liaising with officers to gather information, maintaining a clear audit trail, supporting redaction where required, and monitoring performance against statutory deadlines.
- To support financial administration for the Planning Service, including income monitoring, cost recovery, raising purchase orders, receipting invoices, chasing debt where appropriate, and producing regular reconciliations and management information.
- To undertake redaction of complex and sensitive documents to support complaints handling and information requests, ensuring personal data and legally privileged information is removed in line with GDPR, relevant exemptions and Council policies prior to disclosure.
- To provide flexible technical support to the wider Planning Service (including validation and consultation on complex planning and related applications where necessary) to help maintain service standards and performance targets.
- To proactively monitor and report on service performance for complaints, FOI/EIR and key customer enquiries, including maintaining trackers, producing regular management reports and identifying trends and improvement actions.
Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained. At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
Freedom of Information Officer in Catford employer: 4Recruitment Services
4Recruitment Services is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and teamwork in the Buckinghamshire area. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring career growth while working in a vital role that contributes to community well-being. With provided uniforms and PPE, the company fosters a professional environment where every team member is valued and empowered to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Freedom of Information Officer in Catford
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Freedom of Information Officer in Catford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at 4Recruitment Services
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from 4Recruitment Services.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show 4Recruitment Services that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
