Harrogate Borough Council

 
 

Working for the Council

The Council is a diverse and flexible employer that encourages the development of its staff, who in turn deliver quality services to the most demanding of clients, the public. As an employer, the Council is exceptional because it provides its employees with an innovative, flexible, and fair working environment while allowing them the opportunity to have a positive effect on people's lives.

Why Work for the Council?


To make a difference

Employees feel they are contributing to life in the community, not just making money for their employer's bottom line. They want to do something worthwhile and make a difference to people and to the environment. The Council is a caring employer whose responsibility it is to improve people's lives.

To work in a learning environment

Council wide, each department has been awarded Investors in People status. The Council is committed to developing its staff both in a formal structured way and informally on the job. Studying for qualifications is positively encouraged.

For equality of opportunity

The Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes employment applications from people from all walks of life. The Council tries to help its employees manage their time between work and home. Examples of this are flexible working hours, job share, and homeworking.


Who Works in the Council?


It would be impossible to list and describe all of the work and activities undertaken by the Council. We have up to 500 different jobs, albeit that they fall into the broad categories mentioned below. This page aims to give you an idea of the range of work and careers available to you, whatever your age, qualifications, and experience.

There are opportunities for people of all ages. School leavers can begin work and train as they go, perhaps  taking a modern apprenticeship, whilst others enter local government after taking 'A' Levels. Some enter after graduating from university and there are also opportunities for people with experience, skills and training gained from other employment.

 

What Types of Job are there at the Council? 

Jobs at the Council can be grouped into the following four areas:

Administrative and Clerical Staff

All of the occupational areas in the Council require the support of administrators and clerical staff. They are involved in many different tasks, often working closely with professionals, managers, technicians, assistants, specialists and front line staff in service areas. Their role is vital to the smooth day to day running of the Council.

Front Line Staff

The Council employs a broad range of people who provide essential front line services such as receptionists, refuse loaders, gardeners, benefits advisers, parking attendants, and leisure assistants.

Professionals and Managers

These are people who might have professional qualifications relating to their specialist areas, like accountancy, engineering, information technology, legal, human resources, planning, environmental health, and so on. They might also have management responsibility for a team, but managers do not necessarily have to have a professional background and could be generalists with the relevant management skills, experience and qualifications.

Technicians, Assistants, and Specialists

Within most departments there are technically qualified staff, assistants and specialists. These people have particular knowledge, skills, training and qualifications within their area of work and may work with managers but often work independently of them. Typical jobs include elderley services wardens, building control technicians, planning technicians, engineering and surveying technicians, environmental health technicians, and many more.

If you would like to know about careers in local government visit www.LGcareers.com.

 

Harrogate Borough Council, Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 2SG, Tel: (01423) 500600