Local government officer job profile

As a local government officer, you'll be involved in the practical development and application of council policies and procedures

Local government officers play a vital role in ensuring that the decisions made by elected local councillors are implemented effectively and that essential public services are delivered efficiently and responsibly.

Your work will help ensure that services meet the needs of the community, are delivered within budget and comply with relevant legislation and standards.

Roles are available across a range of service areas, including:

consumer protection
economic development and regeneration
education
emergency planning
environmental health and services
housing
leisure and cultural services
planning
social services
transport and highways
waste management.

There are also roles in corporate services in areas such as finance, human resources (HR), IT and legal services.

In this role, you're likely to have contact with members of the public, elected councillors, council staff, specialist professionals and other local councils or authorities.

Some roles are based within specific departments, but you can still be responsible for a variety of services within that department. Posts at more senior roles may involve committee work, managing projects and contributing to strategic planning.

Responsibilities

Specific activities vary depending on the department and local authority you work for, as well as your level of seniority. Some roles involve direct interaction with the public, while others focus on technical expertise, strategic planning or work with other council staff and departments.

However, you will commonly need to:

help develop, plan and monitor council policies and procedures
support the implementation of council decisions and communicate outcomes to relevant stakeholders
provide support and guidance to elected members, for example to cabinet members or local committees
organise and support meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes and following up on actions
research, write and present reports, briefing papers and policy documents
liaise with internal council departments such as finance, HR and communications
liaise with external organisations, including government bodies, contractors, partners and other councils and local authorities
support the creation and delivery of departmental and corporate plans
monitor performance and quality assurance metrics to ensure services provide value for money
manage and evaluate projects, including timelines, resources and outcomes
prepare and manage contracts and service-level agreements
collect and analyse data to support inspections and demonstrate compliance with legislation and best practice
respond to enquiries and provide information, advice and guidance on policy and performance
work with members of the public, councillors and other stakeholders, presenting information at meetings when required.

In more senior positions you may also manage staff and departmental budgets, contribute to strategic planning and support senior management in decision making.

Salary

Starting salaries typically range from 拢23,500 to 拢25,000, although this varies depending on your location, type of work and seniority.
The starting salary for graduates on Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is usually 拢31,586 (excluding London weighting).
Salaries for experienced and senior local government officers can range from 拢28,000 to in excess of 拢50,000, depending on your role, qualifications and level of seniority. Roles requiring specialist skills or qualifications are likely to attract salaries at the higher end.
Higher earnings are possible with progression to senior management or head of department positions, with salaries well over 拢100,00 for the very top-level jobs in local government.

Salaries vary and depend on the local authority you work for and your specific role, as well as your training, skills, experience and level of seniority.

Benefits include eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll usually work 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. However, many councils offer hybrid and flexible working options, as well as part-time working and job sharing.

Some evening and very occasional weekend working may be required to attend meetings or events, depending on your role.

What to expect

The work is predominately office based, mainly in shared offices and can involve contact with a variety of people. It may also be possible to work from home. Some local government officers will be expected to carry out site or estate visits, which can be conducted in all weathers.
Opportunities exist throughout the UK, in most large towns and cities.
For some senior posts, the role may involve travel within a working day, although absence from home overnight is uncommon. Typically, you won't receive a company car, but mileage for site visits or travelling to meetings is generally offered.
Overseas work or travel is unlikely but may be possible depending on the department or seniority of the role.

Qualifications

Entry qualifications depend on the role, although you will usually need a minimum of four or five GCSEs at 9 to 4 level (A* to C), including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a relevant degree or HND in the following subjects may increase your chances:

business studies and management
economics
legal studies
politics, government or public administration
social administration and social policy.

However, your skills and experience are usually considered more important than your degree discipline.

For roles in specialist areas such as planning or housing you may need a relevant degree in, for example, town planning, urban design or housing.

Graduates with a 2:2 degree or above in any discipline can apply to . This two-year, fast-track graduate development programme available in England and Wales aims to develop the future leaders of local government. The recruitment process has several stages and includes an application, situational judgement test, video interview, virtual assessment centre and final interview.

The Impact programme also has a , which is a four-year programme for those wanting a career in local government or public sector finance. There is a separate scheme for those wanting to become a local government planner.

Some local authorities run their own in-house graduate or management training schemes. Competition can be fierce, so pre-entry experience is recommended.

Entry without a degree, HND or foundation degree is common, and there are many opportunities to join local government at entry level as an administrative assistant, for example. You could then work your way up to more senior roles through training on the job.

Apprenticeships are also available at various levels in a wide range of local government roles such as customer service, business administration, IT and data analysis. You could also take a level 3 public service operational delivery officer apprenticeship. .

Skills

You'll need to have:

excellent written and oral communication skills
active listening, customer service and interpersonal skills
organisation, planning and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing tasks and meet deadlines
negotiation and influencing skills
project management and business planning skills
a logical approach to problem solving
analytical skills and the ability to interpret and use data from a variety of sources
attention to detail
general administration and IT skills, including standard office software and digital tools
a results-driven and outcomes-focused approach to work
the ability to use your initiative and work independently
teamworking and collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse teams
flexibility and the ability to adapt to change and evolving priorities
resilience and the ability to remain professional under pressure
a commitment to local government, public service values, equality, diversity and delivering accessible services.

For a place on a graduate scheme, you will also need to show leadership potential and be able to proactively look for opportunities for personal learning and development. For more information on the requirement key skills and behaviours, see the .

Work experience

Some local authorities offer work experience placements, which can provide a useful insight into how local government operates. You'll gain an understanding of the structure and functions of local authorities and will improve your knowledge of policies, procedures and services, as well as getting valuable practical experience.

You could also take on a part time or temporary role in a local authority, in administration, customer service or support roles, for example, to gain relevant experience and get a foot in the door. Many councils advertise these roles on their websites.

General experience of office work is also useful as it helps develop your organisation, time management and communication skills. Similarly, working in a customer-facing role can help you develop skills in dealing with the public, resolving issues and communicating effectively.

Volunteering for community organisations, local charities or council-led projects, for example, can also be useful. This shows your commitment to public service and working with diverse groups, understanding community needs and supporting local initiatives.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Local government is one of the largest employers in the UK. You'll work for local authorities, which in England includes county councils, district, borough and city councils.

County councils will have responsibility for services across the whole of the county such as:

education
fire and public safety
libraries
planning
social care
trading standards
transport
waste management.

District, borough and city councils cover a smaller area and have responsibility for different services including:

council tax collections
housing
recycling
rubbish collection
planning applications.

There are also unitary authorities, and London and metropolitan boroughs, which provide all the local services.

Corporate services within local governments include functions such as:

administration and secretarial services
communications
facilities management
finance
human resources (HR)
IT
legal services
procurement services.

Many of these services provide central support functions, although there may be a number of direct services to the public.

Local government roles are affected by any downturn in the national economy and job cuts can occur when funding is low and budgets need to be trimmed.

For more information about services and jobs in UK local councils and authorities, .

Look for job vacancies at:

Many local authorities advertise vacancies on their own websites. You can also check the local and regional press.

Recruitment agencies also handle vacancies.

Professional development

Most local authorities provide employee training and development. It's common for all new starters to have a period of induction training prior to starting the job. This is then followed by on-the-job training from experienced staff, supported by any required formal training courses.

Local authorities typically assess employees' individual training needs through regular job appraisals, which enable the line manager and employee to identify current and future training needs. This could involve in-house training sessions or support towards other formal qualifications.

Many local authorities run graduate training schemes, or management trainee schemes, which usually last two or three years. They will typically consist of a series of work placements in a variety of roles and departments and will generally be supported by further academic qualifications.

Graduates on the two-year scheme will rotate between at least three placements getting experience in these areas:

corporate
front-line
support services.

You'll follow a national programme of learning and development that will complement your placements and local training. As part of the training, you will complete a CMI level 7 qualification in leadership and management and will also complete work-based assignments as part of the qualification to put your learning into practice.

If you're on the four-year Impact Finance Stream, you'll complete a Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) level 7 apprenticeship instead, which includes CIPFA's Professional Accountancy Qualification.

Membership of professional bodies will depend on the department in which you are employed. Training in a specific area relevant to the job will often provide the basis for membership of a professional association.

Career prospects

There's no single career path in local government due to the broad range of departments, roles and specialisms available. Your route will often depend on your interests, skills and the specific area you work in, such as housing, planning, education or environmental services.

Most local government roles follow a structured pay grade system. Progression typically involves moving up these grades, based on your experience, performance and qualifications. With the right mix of knowledge, skills and experience, it's possible to progress to senior officer or management positions, either within your department or across the wider organisation.

Movement between departments and between different local authorities is possible and can be a good way of gaining broader experience and advancing your career. There may also be opportunities to transfer to different departments on a secondment. Some councils also offer structured development programmes or leadership schemes aimed at helping staff move into more senior roles.

Opportunities for promotion will depend on the size of the local authority, the availability of roles and your own performance. It may sometimes be necessary to move to another council or authority for promotion to a senior position. It's also possible to move into other parts of the public sector, such as the NHS or civil service, or into roles in the voluntary or private sectors.

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