Democratic Services Officer

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, organised person to join our Democratic and Elections Team. Working as part of a friendly, busy team, this role will involve supporting the Council’s decision making and scrutiny processes. You will have responsibility for your own portfolio of committees and will help ensure we deliver high quality services supporting the Council's democratic processes

What will you be doing?

You will work closely with elected local councillors and senior officers to undertake the full range of committee administration including preparing and publishing agendas and reports and taking accurate minutes of meetings and decisions. You will use your knowledge to provide timely advice to councillors and colleagues when required at both decision making and overview and scrutiny committees.

About you

You will have excellent interpersonal skills and will be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with councillors and senior officers. You will have experience of producing high quality written work and taking minutes at meetings. You will ideally have knowledge and experience of local government procedures, or experience in a similar field. Other skills the ideal candidate will possess include:

• Attention to detail
• Political awareness, tact and diplomacy
• The ability to think logically and plan ahead
• Reliability and calmness under pressure when working to tight deadlines.

We work flexibly, with some time spent in the office and some working remotely. Committee meetings take place in-person and are generally held at our offices in Towcester and Northampton. Most of our meetings take place in the evening and you should be able to travel between locations as required.

For more information on this exciting opportunity please call Paul Hanson on 07912 891994

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme. 
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

About us

We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.  

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. 

Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what it's like to work at West Northants Council https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU 

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.

Should you require the Job Description in another format or language, please contact: Careers@westnorthants.gov.uk