1/1a, 1 Riverside House, Heron Way, Newham, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2XN
Tel 01872 272648
email :
ROLE TITLE / LOCAL COUNCIL SUPPORT OFFICER
CONTEXT :
The Cornwall Association of Local Councils (CALC) is the membership body for local councils in Cornwall and is affiliated to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
It offers support, guidance and legal advice to its member councils and their clerks. Based in Truro, the Association is the first point of contact for all local councils on a range of topics including :· Legal Advice
· Procedural Advice
· Financial Advice
· Training
· Information and guidance on issues affecting first tier local councils
Local councils (parish and town councils) are the first tier of local government and have a vital role to play in engaging with local people and helping shapetheir local communities.
ROLE PURPOSEThe overall responsibilities will be to provide assistance to the County Executive Officer who is the line manager for this position. The main duties of this role are listed below, but it is in the nature of the job that each activity will have its own responsibilities and demands, requiring discretion and respect for confidentiality.
As part of a small team of three, the post will support Association’s advisory service to member councils. Duties will include :
· Ensuring that e-mail, correspondence and telephone communication enquiries and requests for advice are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
· Reviewing materials and study reports and data on nominated subjects in order to partake where appropriate in the functions of the CALC office.
· Helping maintain a library of legal advice available from the Association’s website
· Identify additional information for publication for the benefit member councils and complement the services of the Association.
· Attending and/or assisting with training courses and external events as needed by CALC.
· To ensure a working knowledge of the broad aspects of the office activities and cover as required for annual leave for other members of staff.
· In addition any other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
· Practical experience of working with local councils and knowledge of local government law and best practice relevant to parish and town councils.
· Good working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and other information communication technology including desktop publishing, power point and social media.
· Experience of assembling evidence and providing reports with recommendations for consideration by others.
· Experience of planning workloads and establishing priorities within timescales and budgets.
· At least 3 years’ experience of administration in an office environment.
· Liaising with other councils and agencies in Cornwall and elsewhere and seeking/sharing best practice.
· Ability to work as part of a small team and under own initiative.
· Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills.
QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS
· The post holder must have practical local council experience and a sound knowledge of the work of parish and town councils.
· An enthusiasm for the developing role of parish and town councils in their communities.
· Sector relevant qualifications including the Certificate in Local Council Administration or above, or a willingness to undertake training to achieve this qualification.
· Evidence of/willingness to identify and attend training for own personal development including sector specific qualifications.
· Post holder must be able to work from the office in Truro.
· Post holder must be able work outside of normal working hours.
· Post holder must be willing to travel the length and breadth of Cornwall to support local councils.