Democratic Services Officer - Working for Essex

About the role

Democratic Services Officer

Permanent, Full Time

£28,417 to £33,432 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

The role of Democratic Services is to deliver effective and high-quality Committee Administration, Member Support, and Appeals processes and to promote community engagement and understanding of the democratic processes of the Council.

This role operates in the political environment of the authority and requires an understanding of the need for tact and diplomacy alongside a requirement to be accurate in the work delivered. The Democratic Services Officer is important to the effective delivery of the democratic process across the Council.

The role is part of a team responsible for providing comprehensive administrative support to the Council’s formal decision-making committees and other informal or internal meetings. The postholder will be required to provide advice and guidance to elected members, senior officers and other stakeholders to make sure that the decisions meet the statutory framework. There will also be a requirement to provide support to other parts of the service such as clerking school admission appeals and providing related administrative support.

Whilst training would be provided to the right applicant, we would be particularly interested to hear from candidates with existing experience in supporting committees or other formal meetings or within a Democratic Services team. Providing focussed support to councillors or senior officers would also be advantageous.

Accountabilities

Undertakes a broad range of project work, with responsibility for delivering against set objectives. This includes election work and committee management. Clerks meetings of the Council and any other committees as directed including preparing the agenda, minutes and reports.
Delivers effective administrative support to elected members, various committees and groups. Provides support through a variety of administrative tasks to ensure Essex County Council standards are met and maintained.
Delivers a clerking service to Statutory School Appeals and provides advice and support for the appeals process.
Supports member information and development activities as directed by managers within Democratic Services.
Provides guidance, advice, training and support to Members on corporate policies and procedures such as dealing with expense claims or declaring interests or gifts.
Supports project implementation across a broad and diverse range of media to maximise the opportunity to achieve local community objectives.
Supports the Democratic Services Team to ensure the successful delivery of an annual programme of events including Civic functions, member away days and training working with external organisations and partners to ensure standards are maintained.

Essential:

Educated to an A-level standard including English and Maths at Grade ‘C’ and above or equivalent by experience.
ADSO Certificate in Democratic Services Knowledge, or willingness to work towards it, is desirable.
Evidence of continuing professional development and good knowledge in a political or policy environment and Local Government.
Good organisational skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines, prioritise own work, use own initiative and be self motivating.

Desirable:

Excellent ICT skills including Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Experience of a Committee Management system is desirable.
Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise own workload.
Experience of working in a sensitive political environment with the ability to be tactful and diplomatic.
Good experience of providing administration service for high level meetings including writing minutes.

To read more about us please visit: Corporate Services

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email ami.fosker@essex.gov.uk

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