Graduate Programme Trainee

A Role to Challenge and Inspire

Embark on a transformative journey with Hertfordshire County Council, where innovation and diversity thrive. Explore a role that goes beyond conventional boundaries, offering opportunities to challenge norms and inspire positive change. At HCC, we take pride in our diverse and skilled team committed to making a real difference in the lives of Hertfordshire residents. Join us in enabling the community to lead happy and healthy lives within thriving environments. If you're ready to embrace a role that fosters growth and impact, we welcome your application.

This is an exciting opportunity for four individuals to join our Graduate Programme.

The Scheme

Our programme runs for two years and looks to offer graduates exposure to elected Members, Senior Leadership and different directorates within HCC to understand the ways of operating within Local Government.

During your time on the programme, you’ll be offered four different placements across HCC to gain knowledge, skills and experience of the different services we provide to Hertfordshire residents. You’ll be supported throughout the programme to continue your professional development and progression within HCC. This would include opportunities such as mentoring, coaching, eLearning, workshops and taking part in activities such as scrutiny.

By the end of the of two-year programme, you will have gained…

1. Knowledge and experience of working within Local Government.
2. Exposure and guidance from a number of Senior Leaders and elected Members
3. Development and experience in the following areas: Change Management, Commercial Awareness, Commissioning and Procurement, Data Analysis, Frontline Delivery, Influencing and Negotiation, Project Management, working in a political environment and Partnership Working.

Your Graduate Journey with us:

Your journey will start with a weeklong induction programme focused on training, building a strong support network, and contributing to a variety of front-line projects - an approach that was nationally recognised by the Target Jobs Graduate Awards in 2018.

For the remainder of the two-year scheme, you will undertake up to four 6-month placements in different departments across the organisation. Each graduate experience will be unique: placements are based on business priorities but will look to include the most interesting and stretching pieces of work, together with each graduate’s skills, areas for development and personal preferences. At the end of each placement there will be a development day to reflect on learning and development.

Throughout the scheme, you’ll lead and support work that will improve, change or innovate the services we provide. You’ll meet inspiring people and gain a wealth of experience in leading and managing. Our graduate scheme affords excellent career prospects with opportunity to progress into senior leadership and management roles within HCC and the wider public sector.

Additional Information

Requirements:

1. Applicants must have a 2:1 degree or equivalent (Level 6) or a merit in master’s degree (Level 7) and a passion for public service.
2. We look for potential, so welcome applicants from all backgrounds and degree subjects.
3. Placements will be countywide so you will be required to travel to other HCC Sites/Residences. You must be able to travel via car or public transport to meet the needs of the service placement.

Key Skills : What we are looking for:

• Ability to review available data and identify cause and effect and choose the best solution from a range of known alternatives.
• Ability to produce reports and evaluations based on relevant information
• Strong communication skills with the ability to facilitate understanding among others
• Building and maintaining working relationships and demonstrate an ability to influence those around you
• Working as part of a team, demonstrating ability to lead, use diplomacy, delegate, and support
• Ability to work independently within established systems and procedures.
• strong skills using a variety of IT packages and software
• Ability to organise own work, or plan ahead for others, taking account of priorities and the impact on other people.
• An understanding of the organisation’s political environment would be beneficial
• A demonstrable commitment to your professional development would be desirable

Benefits:
Your personal development comes first- Throughout the graduate scheme we will prioritise your personal development and tailor projects and placements to your specific needs and skill set.
Flexible working- Work is a thing you do, not a place you go. This means you are trusted to work flexible hours from any of our sites, from home or out and about in the community using technology to collaborate and ensuring a great work-life balance.
Support network- You’ll join a wide network of HCC graduates who’ll share their invaluable experience to support you through the scheme and beyond. You’ll be allocated a graduate buddy, a mentor from your team, and a senior management mentor.
Rewards package- As an employee of HCC, you are entitled to cashback and savings in hundreds of retailers, supermarkets, technology suppliers, and more! We also offer a range of salary sacrifice schemes and a generous pension.

Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employerand guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.