Specialist Support Officer – Basildon Borough Council
About the role
Basildon, Essex
£18.20 PAYE / £23.31 Umbrella
Full-Time, Temporary – until end of December 2026
37 Hours per Week
Closing Date: Monday 20th July 2026
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon Council to recruit Specialist Support Officer on a full-time, temporary basis. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week. Please note that the successful candidate will require a Standard DBS Check.
The Role
This post holder will be based within the Legal and Democracy Support Team, providing specialist high quality administrative and clerical support to legal and democracy. This role ensures the smooth operation of the department and supports the delivery of efficient and effective services. This role has a specialist focus on Civic and member support, ensuring efficient and effective operations. The role involves providing high-quality support, liaising with the Major and Deputy major and member support. Coordinating meetings and facilitating communication within the team and with external stakeholders. There will also be involvement in managing systems which cross over between both legal and democratic services as well as on occasion requirements to support the wider team in busy periods which may relate directly to legal services. There will be a requirement for this post holder to attend Mayoral events which may be outside of normal working hours; however, this will be limited to key annual events throughout the year.
Accountabilities
- Provide specialist support and assistance for the day to day running of the Legal and Democracy service, including legal, democracy, member support, elections, information governance undertaking all activities as required and to be determined from time to time by the Support Supervisor and management team.
- Effective planning and diary management ensuring deadlines and time limits handled appropriately across the service.
- Management of relevant website pages and internal sites, service databases and contracts including mod.gov, and other relevant systems.
- Responsible for the logging, collating information and drafting initial responses for Freedom of Information, Subject Access requests, and complaints/CRMS, ensuring timely responses are available.
- Manage the arrangement and administration of internal meetings including those with relevant stakeholders and members.
- To organise meetings and issue agendas. Take minutes and actions from meetings and work to ensure that all actions are undertaken according to required timescales.
- To provide where necessary efficient and effective administrative support to the Members of the Council which includes arrangements for Members to attend external training as required, and to provide post-election support to Members and the Committee, Member and Executive Services.
- Coordination of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Youth Mayor (when appropriate) attendance at a variety of events as part of their civic and ceremonial roles, corporate events such as Remembrance Day, Armed Forces Day and Commonwealth Day events, including travel arrangements, and draft preparation of speeches as required.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Demonstrable experience of office administration, procedures and practice.
- Experience of responding to enquiries in writing, face to face and on the telephone.
- Experience of administration in one of the following areas, legal, local government, elections, democracy.
- Experiences of communicating with varying audiences and levels within an organisation.
Basildon Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and expects all employees, contractors and volunteers to share its commitment to prevent abuse, harm or exploitation. The Council applies a robust recruitment vetting process. If you are successful you will need to undergo a Pre-employment Vetting Procedure.
Company: Essex County Council
Salary: Up to £18.20 per hour
Location: Basildon, Essex
Sector: Corporate Services
Sector: Administration
Your tasks
Provide high-quality administrative support in a dynamic legal and democracy team.
Your profile
Experience in office administration and strong communication skills required.
What's also included
Competitive pay, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
Tech stack & ways of working
Specialist Support Officer – Basildon Borough Council employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Kirklees Metropolitan Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Childcare Lawyers in Northallerton. With hybrid working options and a strong commitment to employee growth, the council fosters a culture of collaboration and professional development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in children's services.
View Kirklees Metropolitan Council profile
Your perspectives
Make a difference in local governance while gaining valuable experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
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.
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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.
Locations
- Basildon
