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Dear Applicant

Communications Apprentice

2 year Apprenticeship

37hours per week

Thank you for your enquiry in regard to the above position.

Enclosed is a recruitment and information pack which includes the following:

  • A job description and person specification
  • Background Information and Terms and Conditions of Employment

Further information including our Corporate Plan is available on the Authority’s web site,

Applications for the first round of apprenticeships have a deadline of 12noon on Friday28April 2017. However, we will continue to accept applications for future rounds of employment.

It is not our practice to acknowledge applications or to inform applicants that they have been unsuccessful. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date of the advertisement, you may assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

I look forward to receiving your application and thank you for the interest you have shown in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Yours faithfully

The HR Team

Enc.

YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:COMMUNICATIONS APPRENTICE

RESPONSIBLE TO:Communications Manager

OBJECTIVES OF THE POST:

  • To play an important role in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Communications Team which is responsible for, develops and implements the Authority’s communications activity. The Communications Team aims to promote understanding and enjoyment of the Park and provide the best possible presentation of the Authority.
  • To support the Web and Social Media Officer (WaSMO) in the continuous improvement of the Authority’s web presence.
  • To work with the WaSMO to develop, implement and maintain social media content to grow the social media audience and drive traffic to the website.
  • To work closely with the WaSMO to learn the technical requirements of the role.
  • To support the Communications Team to ensure a consistent flow of engaging and high quality content is produced and shared with key stakeholders.
  • To provide essential support for the Communications Team, providing admin support, keeping records and producing blogs/content as and when required.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Support the WaSMO in the development and maintenance of the Authority’s websites through content generation, and using the Content Management System, write and edit copy, re-write and update existing content, and source images to increase traffic and drive search engine optimization. This means that you will:

learn and apply the technical skills required to maintain the Authority’s website and staff intranet;

support the WaSMO in the production of video content, as and when required, to use across a range of channels.

support officers from across the Authority in creating web content.

  • Generate engaging and relevant content and post in social media channels to promote the Authority and increase engagement, driving traffic to the Authority’s website.
  • Use the Authority’s main social media accounts to promote team and officer satellite accounts
  • Regularly review the Authority’s digital channels and online information to consistently ensure accuracy and maintain quality standards.
  • Monitor traditional, online and social media to identify and share relevant content and mentions.
  • Monitor, evaluate and report on web and social media analytics.
  • Support the WaSMO in the development and maintenance of an image and video library.
  • Develop and manage an archive of media coverage – online and print.
  • Support the Communications Manager and Team in the delivery of other communications activities in other channels as requested.
  • Provide general admin support for the Communications team including handling calls, online filing / archiving, handling post, booking meetings etc.
  • Comply with the Authority’s Health and Safety Policy and Codes of Safe Working Practice.
  • Such other duties as are commensurate with the objectives and grade of the post, as directed from time to time by the Chief Executive.

By the end of the Apprenticeship you will be able to demonstrate that you can, amongst other things:

  • Support colleagues in the creation of engaging content (written, audio and film) to use across a range of communications channels.
  • Develop and maintain a website, including generating content and using a Content Management System.
  • Contribute to the future development of the digital communications channels.
  • Monitor and professionally respond to comments and queries on social media.
  • Identify good news stories and work in a team to help promote these using the most appropriate channels.
  • Experience of providing admin support, keeping appropriate records and producing blogs/content/reports as and when required.
  • Study for, and achieve, a Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ.

YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

PERSON SPECIFICATION

COMMUNICATIONS APPRENTICE

CRITERIA / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Qualifications
The willingness and motivation to study towards and achieve a relevant NVQ in digital communications or marketing, web development and design, social media or business administration. / 
5 or more GCSEs at A* to C including English and Maths or equivalent. / 
Driving licence – ability to travel between offices / 
Experience
Experience of using social media / 
Experience of creating web content / 
Experience of managing and maintaining web content, using a content management system / 
Knowledge and experience of using of HTML, CSS and Javascript / 
Knowledge and experience of using Adobe Photoshop or equivalent image editing package / 
Using analytical tools such as Google Analytics / 
Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications / 
Skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills. / 
Ability to write search engine optimised web content tailored to different audiences. / 
Understanding of the principles of web design, site structure and navigation / 
Ability to use social media effectively and understand its value when used appropriately / 
Excellent attention to detail and well organised / 
Personal Qualities
Tech savvy / 
An interest in online communications and developing an online audience / 
An interest in promoting the aims and objectives of the National Park Authority / 
An ambition to develop a career in communications / 
A self-starter with the ability to work on their own, also happy to work in a team and ‘muck in’. / 
Positive, enthusiastic approach / 
A willingness to learn and take on new challenges / 

Communications Apprentice

Based at: Bainbridge, Wensleydale

Background

The Yorkshire Dales National Park was designated in 1954 in recognition of its extraordinary natural beauty, the diversity of its wildlife habitats, its rich cultural heritage and its fantastic opportunities for outdoor recreation. It is a dramatic upland dissected by numerous long glaciated valleys or dales with a resident population of 23,637 people. The area is a working landscape, with agriculture, quarrying and tourism, offering the main employment opportunities. Indeed, it is the long history of people settling in and working this harsh environment that has created a cultural landscape recognised today as one of the most distinctive in Western Europe.

The Park is looked after by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and it’s the Authority’s job to care for this very special place and its communities and to help people understand and share in it.

The National Park was extended to the north and west on 1 August 2016, it now covers an area of 2,179 square kilometres (841 square miles).

It is one of a family of 15 National Parks in the UK, protected for future generations to enjoy. Truly Britain’s breathing spaces.

From 1974 the whole of the Yorkshire Dales National Park was administered by a Committee of North Yorkshire County Council but, as a result of the Environment Act 1995, the new National Park Authority was established on 1st April 1997. The Authority remains within the framework of local government but is independent of the counties and districts. The Authority now consists of both county council and district council representatives as well as parish representatives and members appointed by the Secretary of State.

The 1995 Environment Act revised and updated the purposes of national parks which are:-

“conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the areas, and promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of those areas by the public”.

In pursuing these purposes the Authority

“shall seek to foster the economic and social wellbeing of communities within the National Park.”

The National Park Authority is advised by the Chief Executive (National Park Officer), who is supported by approximately 130 staff.

Terms and Conditions of Service

Pay

£7,888 per annum (£4.10 per hour) for first year. Rising to the national minimum wage (for the individual’s age group) in the second year.

Work Base

This post is based at our Yoredale office in Bainbridge, Wensleydale, however, there will be travel within the Park.

Term

This is an apprenticeship position and is offered on a 2 year contract. Whilst the Authority will do what it can to support the post-holder in obtaining a job (or further study) at the end of the apprenticeship, a permanent position is not guaranteed at the end of the apprenticeship.

This is, however, an excellent opportunity to develop work place skills and experience and an academic qualification.

Pension

Apprentices have the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Hours of Work

The hours of work are 37 hours per week.

A flexitime scheme is in operation. This allows you to vary your start and finish times within set parameters to help your work fit in with your social and domestic responsibilities. If you have accrued sufficient time, the scheme allows you to take up to 12 days extra leave during the year.

Holidays

The holiday entitlement is based on length of service within Local Government or related employment.

On commencement of employment: 25 days.

After 1 year continuous service: 26 days.

Plus Bank Holidays.

Special Leave

Working for a public sector employer, you will find that we offer favourable entitlements compared with many other employers in regard to time off for such reasons as maternity, maternity support leave, adoption and special leave for various other reasons.

We also support employment initiatives aimed at achieving work/life balance such as parental leave and time off for family emergencies.

Training and Development

The post-holder will be expected to work towards and gain the Level 3 and Level 4 City and Guilds Diploma qualification in Social Media and Digital Marketing. The training is delivered using a variety of methods, including one-to-one tuition, classroom work, self study and Online Live/virtual classroom.

The National Park Authority is committed to the professional and personal training and development of its staff. To support this, the Authority has achieved the national Investors in People (IIP) Standard. An appraisal scheme is in place for all staff and opportunities to undertake in-house and external training programmes are available.

Recruitment Clearance

The offer of appointment is subject to medical clearance by Occupational Health and receipt of satisfactory references.

Miscellaneous

New entrants to local government are subject to a probationary period of six months.

The notice period applicable to this post is 1 month.

The Authority operates a non-smoking policy in its offices.

Completed application forms to be returned to the HR Office, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 3EL, by 12noon on Friday 28 April 2017.

If you have not been contacted for interview within three weeks of the closing date, you may assume that your application has not been successful.

Recruitment Pack\