Opportunities

Dorchester Town Council is seeking a full time Town Clerk and RFO.

Dorchester Town Council is one of England’s larger parish authorities, with a budget of £1.7M a year, a precept of £1.5Million and Band D Council Tax at £198. There are 20 councillors representing five wards.

Dorchester is a town rich in heritage, with a warm and inclusive community spirit. It is growing at a fast pace and the Town Council plays a key role in supporting this and its future development in housing, tourism and business. We are looking to recruit someone with the skills, knowledge and creativity to build on what is already in place and take the Council and the town forward during its next phase of growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a strategic lead role in advising the Council on and assisting in the formation of overall policies and plans to be followed in respect of the Authority’s activities.

Details:

• Location – Dorchester
• Permanent position with a 6 month probationary period
• Hours – 37 hours per week, with regular evening work and occasional weekends
• Salary Scale: SCP 50 – 54 (£55.684 – £62,779), starting salary dependent on experience and qualifications

The package includes a contributory pension scheme, salary qualification increments, generous holiday entitlement and flexible working.

What we are looking for:

You will ideally have experience as a Town Clerk or Deputy Town Clerk or other senior manager in a local council or similar organisation in the public sector and, either, already be CiLCA qualified or be prepared to study towards gaining the qualification within twelve months.

You will need to be able to provide strong strategic leadership and build a wide range of positive working relationships with councillors, staff and partner organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

You will need to be energetic, strategic, enthusiastic, committed, innovative, community minded, an excellent people manager and a team player, adapt well to change and be a good communicator at all levels.

You will have excellent oral and written communication skills to give clear advice to the Council and be financially competent in order to oversee the Council’s finances as RFO

You will be thorough and focused in all aspects of your work, keeping on top of legal obligations and legislative changes.

You will be available to attend all meetings of the Full Council and relevant committee meetings, which are held in the evening, and attend civic events.

A job description and detailed person specification are included in our recruitment pack.

An application form and recruitment pack can be accessed here – Town Clerk – South West Jobs

Closing date for applications is 5pm 4 November 2021.

Interviews will be held on 19 November 2021.