At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide secretarial support to elected members and manage casework efficiently.
- Company: Birmingham City Council, a leader in community service and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real difference in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong communication, administration skills, and experience in secretarial work.
- Other info: Acting up/secondment role until May 2026 with excellent career development prospects.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Please note this vacancy is only available to Birmingham City Council employees.
ACTING UP or SECONDMENT until May 2026
Grade B - £28,598 - £34,434
Working 18.25 hours per week
An exciting acting up/secondment opportunity has arisen for an adaptable and self-motivated Senior Secretary/Caseworker with excellent communication, administration and organisational skills. The secondment currently is expected to run until May 2026. You will provide secretarial support to the elected members of the Birmingham Independent Councillors group. Respecting and preserving confidentiality will be key as well as the ability to thrive in a stimulating and fast-moving environment. The role requires excellent literacy skills. You should be self-motivated, solution focused and able to deal with casework enquiries and work competently to high standards.
You will have a wide range of experience of all aspects of secretarial and casework, including:
- Casework management
- Opening/distributing post
- Word processing
- Copy/typing letters
- Mail merges etc to meet priorities, deadlines and standards
Operate effective working practices that are designed to ensure that appropriate action is taken on behalf of the Group Councillors to correspondence, enquiries and issues raised within the Group office. This will involve the origination and drafting of letters and where matters are to be dealt with outside the office, the monitoring of action taken.
Provide administrative support to the Group, this will involve arranging meetings, maintenance of records, filing, processing of stationery and printing requests and photocopying. Sorting incoming post.
Dealing with telephone calls from Councillors, Members of Parliament, local, regional and national, Council Departments, members of the public and outside organisations acting as the first point of contact. The role is currently based at the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB.
If you are interested in this role, please set out your skills in relation to the person specification as all applications are measured against the person specification to select for interview.
For any informal enquiries, please contact Ingrid Whyte.
Closing date is Wednesday 11th February 2026 with interviews taking place shortly after.
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Secretary employer: Birmingham City Council
Contact Detail:
Birmingham City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Secretary
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts within Birmingham City Council or related sectors. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the role and the council's current projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for supporting the elected members and the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Secretary, you'll be the first point of contact. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Secretary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights the skills and experiences that match the job description. We want to see how your background fits with the role of Senior Secretary/Caseworker, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of communication, be sure to demonstrate your excellent literacy skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and don’t forget to proofread for any typos or errors – we’re looking for attention to detail!
Address the Person Specification: When writing your application, directly reference the person specification. We want to see how you meet each requirement, so make it easy for us by clearly linking your skills to what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly, including your CV. Plus, it keeps everything organised on our end, making the process smoother for everyone.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Secretary/Caseworker. Familiarise yourself with casework management, correspondence handling, and administrative support tasks. This will help you confidently discuss how your skills align with the job.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves dealing with various stakeholders, be prepared to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated in a fast-paced environment, whether through phone calls or written correspondence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle confidential information. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully managed sensitive situations or resolved issues efficiently, showcasing your adaptability and solution-focused mindset.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
Since the role requires strong organisational capabilities, come ready to discuss how you manage your time and prioritise tasks. Share specific examples of how you've maintained records, arranged meetings, or handled multiple deadlines to illustrate your competence.