Business Administration Apprentice (Electoral Services & Local Land Charges Team)

Summary

We are looking for an apprentice to work in the Electoral Services & Local Land Charges team. Working with colleagues who deal with electoral registration, running elections and processing land searches for people moving house, you will gain all-round skills including customer service, understanding legislations & administrative experience.

Annual wage

£22,183 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay is due to increase in November 2024. Please note, during election period the successful candidate would be expected to work extra hours, evenings and weekends and would be paid according to the Election Claims Unit rates.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am-5pm.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 13 January

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

You won’t have to work at a polling station giving out ballot papers, but you will be part of the core team who makes sure that our 75,000 electors can vote by visiting a polling station or by post.

You will be working in the council offices within a small team in an administrative role. You would be dealing with customers, our councillors and others teams around the council.

This role is very varied and you can be talking to a customer about their postal vote or checking ballot papers to make sure the wording is correct. You will also be processing local searches on our Total Land Charges software system, making sure that the work is done within set timelines.

The tasks that you will be dealing with include but won’t be limited to:

Sorting and scanning electoral registration forms, then inputting information onto a data base regarding electoral registration as well as making enquiries of customers.
Dealing with customer and Officer enquiries on the telephone, by email as well as in person regarding registering to vote, voting by post or at a polling station.
Dealing with office-based services which can include, receiving and sending post, copying, scanning and filing of documents.
Using our election management system to update staff, polling stations and many other areas of election planning.
Assisting the Land Charges Officer with processing searches submitted by Solicitors as an essential part of buying a property.

Whilst working mainly within the Electoral Services and Local Land Charges team, team we will ensure you are able to gain knowledge of how the Council works as a whole by spending time in other areas and learning their processes and roles.

Please note, during the election period travel to other locations is neccessary, therfore candidates are required to have a full driving licence and their own transport.

Where you’ll work

The Symington Building

Adam & Eve Street

Market Harborough

Leicestershire

LE16 7AG

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.

Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.

Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.

Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.

Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.

Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.

Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.

Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

Within the first 15 months additional training is delivered from Loughborough College, one morning a week for 12 weeks, dates are subject to enrolment date. (lessons are delivered virtually currently with optional drop in sessions at College if required)
We use an online portfolio that is updated with learning and development completed onsite.
A dedicated Trainer/Assessor from Loughborough College will plan visits to come and see you in the workplace.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 subjects including Maths and English (grade C / 4 or equivalent)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Patience

Other requirements

• Due to the nature of the job and the information you are dealing with, confidentiality is very important. • You will be working in The Symington Building in Market Harborough Town Centre. You must be able to travel to Market Harborough daily. • You will be working in an open plan office environment where people “hot desk” and so move around frequently and are not always working in the office. • You may need to work late sometimes or attend evening meetings with prior notice • You will be expected to wear appropriate business attire and an identification badge. • The job is an administration role and so is mainly sitting down most of the day. • This is only a fixed term contract and there is no guarantee of a job at the end of your apprenticeship although you will be eligible to apply for internal vacancies and will receive support in completing an application for these roles.

About this company

Harborough District Council (HDC) is a small rural based Local Authority the main office is based in Market Harborough. The role of HDC is to support the residents of the district. The Council supports the residents of the whole 240 square miles with waste management, planning, housing, council tax, Leisure services as well as running elections and electoral registration.

http://www.Harborough.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

27 days per year annual leave plus bank holidays, reduced memberships at HDC owned Leisure Centres, full occupational health service including access to counselling & telephone advice services, free eye examinations for computer users.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

The successful candidate will be eligible to apply for internal vacancies that are advertised at the Council.

Ask a question

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