At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Suffolk's future by managing meetings and providing governance advice.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, reimagining local government with a supportive team.
- Benefits: Up to 29 days leave, pension scheme, health benefits, and flexible working.
- Other info: Hybrid role with ongoing training and diverse career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a public-facing role at the heart of local governance.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills, clear communication, and ability to handle sensitive situations.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Suffolk County Council, we're reimagining what local government can achieve. Working as a Democratic Services Officer based within the Governance, Legal and Assurance Service, you'll help to support the shaping of Suffolk's future by providing high-quality support and advice to the Council's Committees in a high-profile and public-facing role at the very heart of the Council. Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities:
- Agenda planning, convening and supporting formal meetings, issuing agendas, recording proceedings and producing accurate minutes, decisions, and recommendations.
- Support the implementation of the Council's Constitution, resolve complex procedural issues, maintain committee work programmes and ensure full compliance with statutory and constitutional requirements.
- Contribute to councillor and officer training, and keep abreast of legislative developments and best practice in democratic governance.
You will need:
- Excellent administrative and IT skills and be comfortable working in a high-profile, public-facing role at the heart of the Council.
- The ability to provide clear, confident and impartial governance and constitutional advice, often in politically sensitive environments.
- Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the service and manage competing deadlines.
- Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, and a high level of attention to detail.
The team:
You'll be part of a highly supportive and friendly team and will receive training and ongoing support. The role is hybrid; you will split time between home and office in accordance with the rota and committee days. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented, and encourage everyone to be the best they can be.
Disability Confident: As a Disability Confident employer, we offer an interview to any applicant with a disability who meets the minimum criteria for the job. DBS or police vetting will be required for this post.
Benefits:
- Up to 29 days annual leave (pro-rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits.
- Performance-related annual pay progression, plus an annual cost-of-living pay increase.
- Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge.
- Varied career development opportunities across the organisation.
- Diverse and active staff networks.
- Flexible working, with the right to request from your first day.
Democratic Services Officer in Ipswich employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Officer in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Democratic Services Officers on LinkedIn or at local government events. They can give you insider tips and might even know about unadvertised roles.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local governance and the Council's Constitution. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! During interviews, highlight your administrative and IT skills with specific examples. We want to see how you've tackled complex issues in the past, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic Services Officer in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Democratic Services Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of written communication, ensure your application is clear and concise. Pay attention to grammar and spelling, as these details matter when you're providing governance and constitutional advice.
Highlight Your Flexibility: We value adaptability in our team, so be sure to mention any experiences where you've successfully managed competing deadlines or adapted to changing circumstances. This will show us you're ready for the dynamic nature of local government work.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with Suffolk County Council's Constitution and recent legislative developments. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the complexities of democratic governance.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your administrative and IT skills, especially in a public-facing context. Think about times when you've successfully managed competing deadlines or resolved complex issues, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since the role involves providing impartial advice, being able to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your delivery.
✨Be Adaptable
Demonstrate your flexibility and adaptability during the interview. Discuss how you've adjusted to changing circumstances in previous roles, as this will resonate well with the team's dynamic and the nature of the work.