Opportunities

Salary: SCP 34 (£38,553) – 36 (£40,578) dependent upon skills, experience and qualifications.

Hours: 37 hours per week. Council meetings are held on Thursday evenings. Regular evening and occasional weekend working will be required for which time off in lieu will be granted. It may be necessary for the post holder to work in excess of these hours on occasions to meet deadlines.

Place of work: The role is based at the Town Council offices in Stortford Road, Great Dunmow but will be required to work out of, and visit, other sites in Great Dunmow

The Deputy Town Clerk is employed by the Council (under Section 112(1) of the Local Government Act 1972) to provide administration support for Council’s activities, however, this role will go beyond the basic requirements and a skilled manager is needed to fulfil the role. The Deputy Town Clerk’s primary responsibility is to provide support to the Town Clerk and team of officers in the delivery of the Council’s agreed action plans and corporate strategy. To help with this, the Clerk may be asked to research topics of concern to the Council and provide unbiased information to help the council to make appropriate choices.

The Deputy Town Clerk’s post is concerned with the ownership of committee business, project delivery and taking control of major elements of the Council’s Day to day operations. The Deputy Town Clerk is also responsible for general personnel matters and management of staff as the 2nd principal manager of the office, caretaking and operations teams.

‘Proper Officer’ is a title used in statute. It refers to the appropriate officer for the relevant function. At Great Dunmow Town Council, the Proper Officer is the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk also operates as the Responsible Financial Officer (S151 Officer) & Data Protection Officer (DPO). The Deputy Town Clerk operates as the deputy for these statutory designations.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate reasonable managerial experience and knowledge of accounting procedures set out in the Accounts & Audit Regulations and JPAG guidance. Applicants must also possess knowledge of local government law and procedures, hold a relevant professional qualification, and show that they have obtained a Certificate in Local Council Administration or commit to achieving CilCA qualification within twelve months of appointment, with support from the Town Clerk.

Applicants should read all the Application Pack prior to completing their application and make clear in their application why they are interested in the position, and what relevant skills and experience they have, with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification.

This post suits applicants seeking to broaden their skills and knowledge within a professional and supportive, team-based atmosphere. The Deputy Town Clerk will be afforded significant scope of choice and opportunity to be involved in projects of interest, with the Council committed to the continued professional development of its officers. The Deputy Town Clerk should be prepared to undertake joint decision making with the Town Clerk. Although the Town Clerk is the officer with ultimate accountability, the support and input of the Deputy Town Clerk is considered critical to the progression and development of the Council’s administration.

Click here to download a recruitment pack including a full job description and person specification.

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter to [email protected]