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Who are We - The Young Employee Group
Members of the Young Employees Group
Jenny
I work at Harrogate International Centre (HIC). I've been part of HIC since 2002 where I was recruited as an Event Team Leader. In 2005 I became an Event Co-ordinator so much of my time is spent monitoring and reviewing standards, managing staff performance and resources, managing Health and Safety and facilitating work across the site. Working at HIC provides a great deal of variety as every day is completely different from the last one, from the events held here to the people you meet.
Before joining HIC I worked for the University of Leeds as a Research Assistant, studying the Cultural Persity of Yorkshire, this was after completing a degree in Performance Management. Like most students, I managed to acquire a lovely overdraft which I'm sure I'll be paying off forever!
So what can I tell you about me? I live in Green Hammerton, a village just off the A59 towards York. Contrary to what most of my friends think I do have running water and electricity! It does, however, make the taxi fare home from a night of beer, clubbing and pizza a staggering £18.
When I'm not at work I play Netball for Boosters, based in Harrogate, which is part of a community scheme, its great fun and a good way of keeping fit. I also play in a ladies cricket team.
Melisa
I'm 24 and live in a small village just outside Ripon, with my husband and beautiful collie cross. I've been working for the council as the Cycling/Transport Policy Officer for just over a year. Prior to this I worked for Leeds University as their Transport Co-ordinator, after 3 years at Hull University, studying BA Geography.
Out of work I enjoy walking, cycling, swimming, camping, tennis and art. I'm really not a sports fanatic, but I do enjoy doing my bit.
Robin
I'm 27 years old and live in Tadcaster and work for the council as the Environmental Technician in the Street Cleansing team.
We manage the running of all manual and mechanical street cleansing works in the district including flytipping, litterbins, graffiti etc.
It's an interesting job with lots of different aspects, plus it gives me the opportunity to get out and about around the district and not just be sat behind a desk all day long.
I'm a graduate of Lancaster University where among many fun times I found a few hours a week to complete a degree in Environmental Management.
When not at work I tend to spend my time watching or playing football among other sports, and as with most graduates tend to still try live the student life by winding down on the weekend with a good night out.
Rachel
I'm 26 and live in Leeds. I have worked for the Council since December 2004, I am currently the Council's Performance Manager, responsible for the Council's Best Value Performance Indicators and the Performance Plan.
Previously, I worked for Cleveland Police as a researcher and then as the Clinical Governance Officer for the Surgical Group at Bradford Teaching Hospitals.
In 2001, I graduated from the University of Durham with a BA in European Studies with Spanish.
When not working, I spend most of my time socialising.
Daniel
I have been working at Harrogate Borough Council as a Procurement Assistant since June 7th 2006. Based in the Department for Corporate Policy and Improvement at Crescent Gardens, my main roles are to carry out spend analysis across a number of areas of the council's expenditure and to maintain the procurement web pages on the council's website. As well as being a member of the young Persons Group I am also a member of the Corporate Procurement Group.
Richard
I am 25 years old and have been a council employee since January 2005. I work at Scottsdale House in the Projects and Systems Management Team as a Systems Management Officer. In this capacity as part of a team I am responsible for the Revenues and Benefits systems and also some council wide systems such as the electronic payments facility.
In my previous job I occupied a Sales position for a company based near Leeds selling housware and garden products to major retailers such as ASDA, B&Q and Homebase.
Prior to this I studied English and History at Leeds and I am currently pursuing a degree with the OU in Computers and Information Technology.
My interests outside of work include football - supporting Leeds United (more work), reading (when I get time), music and relaxing!
Amy
I'm 26 and have worked for the Council since June 2005. I am currently on secondment as Project Manager for the new Payroll and HR System. Prior to this I was Support Services Manager for the Department of Resources, enjoying the challenge of managing a team of people providing secretarial and administrative support services. Previously, I have worked in general management in a manufacturing company, and in the IT department for a large firm of solicitors.
I am a graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where I obtained a degree in Business Management.
Khyati
I work as a Rural Housing Enabler, based at Springfield House. My role is to engage with Parish Councils and local communities to promote affordable housing in rural areas. This includes presenting at public meetings and progressing rural schemes as well as interacting with Councillors and external organisations.
I relocated to Harrogate from London six months ago, which was a bit of culture shock but a good one! I was pleased to discover that Harrogate has quite a good nightlife and that there are quite a lot of young people, even though the reputation is that it's full of people who come here to retire!
Diane
I'm 29 (so almost not a young employee!) and work as part of the Museums and Arts team, based at the Mercer Art Gallery, and started here in November 2004. My job title is Audience Development Officer which translates to mean I'm in charge of all the people-related stuff such as schools sessions, family events, our adult programme of talks and tours and big things like our annual Medieval Day at Knaresborough Castle. I'm also responsible for marketing and our section of the Council website. It's a very varied and busy job, sometimes far too hectic but I tend to remember why I love it on days when I get to play with paint or visit a beautiful church. Before this I was working for Surrey County Council as Assistant Museums Development Officer providing support and advice for all the museums in the county whilst completing a long-distance Masters in Museum Studies via the University of Leicester.
I live in north Leeds, having always wanted to come back to Yorkshire after taking my undergraduate degree in history there. I adore living in Leeds, a fantastic city, and being lucky enough to work somewhere as pretty as Harrogate. Weekends and evenings tend to be spent on attempting exercise before sitting around local cafes, bars and friends' houses and sometime venturing out to theatres, galleries or for walks in the Yorkshire countryside.
Iain
I work as a Scientific Technical Officer in the Environmental Protection Team based at Springfield House. The purpose of my job is management of air quality and prevention/control of industrial pollution within the district. My work involves the inspection of industrial premises, enforcement of permits, consultation with the public, process operators and external organisations, monitoring and sampling.
I took the job at Harrogate last year and relocated from Manchester. When I arrived I was worried that the place would be full of pensioners and teashops. Since then I've discovered that there's a decent nightlife with plenty of stuff to see and do in the local area.
Rachel
I have recently joined the Human Resources Team as a Support Officer, my role is to support the Human Resources Advisors and assist with the Job Evaluation project. Previously I worked on a HR Team for a well-known bank.
When I'm not at work I enjoy cycling, camping and seeing friends. I'm also always saving for my next holiday!
Alison
I am 30 years old and work in the Department of Resources as a Business Support Officer. I finished a degree in Zoology with Marine Zoology aged 21 and immediately left the country to work as a chalet host. I gradually worked up through the company to set up and run their property Pision. The decision to go out to the Alps was mainly due to my other obsession, scuba Ping. I therefore spent my summers out in Turkey teaching Scuba Ping as a PADI instructor and my winters working in the European Alps fitting in some skiing when possible. Why come back to the UK I hear you cry, well the grass is always greener and England is in reality a pretty good place to live! I still spend holidays in Turkey and France visiting friends and Scuba Ping whilst having the bonus of weekends in the beautiful north of England to go walking and jogging and evenings in Harrogate and Leeds to explore the nightlife!
Stephen
I joined the council as a Mechanical Engineer after graduating university in September 2004. In this role I work on the installation and maintenance of building services in the Conference/Leisure Centres and offices buildings. In September 2005 the council sponsored me to undertake a masters degree at the University of Bradford and in the near future I hope to become a Chartered Engineer.
Outside of work I enjoy travel and keeping fit although these pursuits take a back seat to DIY far too often for my liking.
Contacting Us
If you would like to speak to any of us specifically then contact
youngemployees@harrogate.gov.uk
and mark your email FAO + persons name.