At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential secretarial support to the Criminal Justice team and manage communications effectively.
- Company: Join the dynamic Surrey and Sussex Police Force, dedicated to community safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with options for remote work and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: 2+ years secretarial experience and advanced Microsoft Office skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28914 - 30897 £ per year.
Division / Department - Criminal Justice
Grade - Grade 8
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £28,914 - £30,897
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Multiple Locations (see advert)
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
Chief Constables' Message
We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe. We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you. We wish you all the very best with your application.
The Role & Key Responsibilities
From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference. It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe. An exciting and sought-after opportunity has arisen, to be an integral part of the dynamic Criminal Justice & Custody team. This role is key to the smooth running of the department. You will provide professional, pro-active secretarial support to your defined stakeholders. You will also have regular interaction with Senior Management Teams, Officers and Staff from all levels across the Force, and external partner agencies.
We seek those with a flexible, practical approach, a 'can do' attitude, and willingness to help. You will work within a team but also have the agency to work with initiative and minimum supervision. You will manage calendars effectively, prioritising competing demands to maintain efficiency. You will monitor inboxes and have high levels of organisation skills. You will attend meetings and be responsible for distributing relevant papers, capturing 'actions', and recording comprehensive minutes. This is a full time, flexi-time position - providing flexibility to the post-holder within core working hours. This role is based at Sussex Police HQ - Lewes (parking is available), with the option to also work from Brighton John Street Police Station (without available parking). This is a 'hybrid' role, meaning that following initial training and probation period, the post-holder may work from home as well as other locations.
Skills & Experience
- GCSE English Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- At least 2 years secretarial experience to include regular Operational support as Loggist and/or Secretary
- Minute taking experience and training
- Accurate typing at a speed of at least 60 words per minute
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills – good general IT literacy
- Outlook inbox and diary management training and experience
- SharePoint training and experience
- Proven organisational skills, using initiative to problem solve and manage competing priorities with minimal supervision
- Ability to identify solutions to improve efficiencies of service
- Excellent verbal, written, communication and problem solving skills
- Proven ability to produce high quality work, formatting documents and written communications in a professional and concise manner
- Experience of coaching and/or mentoring others
- Ability to work under pressure in a demanding team
- Strong interpersonal skills facilitating daily professional interaction with a wide variety of contacts at all levels and ranks, both within the immediate team, Sussex Police and externally
- Ability to accept responsibility and make decisions confidently demonstrating a high degree of integrity
- Willing and able to undertake training to become proficient in using additional IT and multimedia systems that are essential to the role
- Ability to appropriately handle sensitive information within GDPR legal requirements
- Ability to complete CPD activities in order to maintain up to date skills and qualifications for the role
- Willingness to assist supervisors with recruitment of new secretaries for their respective business areas
Why Work With Us?
Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.
We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits; career progression, contributory pension scheme (LGPS), generous annual leave allowance, discounts for everyday spend, on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs, generous and supportive parental leave, financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support, discounted contributory healthcare scheme.
For further information about the vacancy, please contact Project Officer Penny Slater with any questions: We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement. We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@policejobssurreyandsussex.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process. Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are; vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces, vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally, if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment. Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self-employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
Senior Secretary - Criminal Justice in Lewes employer: Sussex Police
Join the Surrey and Sussex Police as a Senior Secretary in the Criminal Justice department, where you will be part of a dedicated team committed to making a real difference in the community. We offer a supportive work culture that values flexibility, career progression, and employee wellbeing, alongside generous benefits such as a contributory pension scheme, annual leave, and access to on-site gyms. With opportunities for hybrid working and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this role is perfect for those looking to contribute meaningfully while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Secretary - Criminal Justice in Lewes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the police force on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to secretarial roles in law enforcement. Think about how your skills can directly support the mission of keeping people safe. We want to see your passion for the role, so show us how you can make a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to research the Criminal Justice department! Understanding their goals and challenges will help you tailor your responses during the interview. It shows that you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll be able to track your application status easily. Let’s get you on board with us!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Secretary - Criminal Justice in Lewes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of Senior Secretary in Criminal Justice. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how you've used them in real situations. For example, if you have advanced Microsoft Office skills, mention specific projects where you utilised these skills effectively.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your sentences are easy to read and your ideas flow logically. This will reflect your ability to produce high-quality work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sussex Police
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Secretary in Criminal Justice. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as managing calendars, minute-taking, and providing pro-active support. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires excellent organisational skills, prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed competing priorities or improved efficiencies. Be ready to discuss how you handle busy inboxes and tight deadlines, as this will highlight your ability to thrive under pressure.
✨Brush Up on Your IT Skills
With advanced Microsoft Office skills being a must, ensure you're comfortable discussing your proficiency in Outlook, SharePoint, and any other relevant software. You might even want to practice typing at 60 words per minute to showcase your speed and accuracy during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Interpersonal Skills
This role involves regular interaction with various stakeholders, so be prepared to talk about your communication style and how you build relationships. Think of specific instances where you've effectively collaborated with others or resolved conflicts, as this will illustrate your strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team.
