North Somercotes Parish Council is seeking applications from suitable candidates.
PARISH CLERK/RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER – RETIREMENT
The current part-time Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) is aiming to retire at the end of the 26/27 Financial year, or sooner if a suitably qualified and experienced applicant is available. As an alternative, the parish council will consider appointing a part-time Assistant Parish Clerk who would then be able to gain experience and achieve the required qualifications (CiLCA - Certificate in Local Council Administration) to take up the role of Parish Clerk, or Parish Clerk & RFO. The Clerk is a ‘Proper Officer’ of the council, which is a statutory role that is responsible for advising the Parish Council on how it conducts its business, to ensure that it acts within its powers and the required legal framework.
The postholder will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Cemetery, including liaising with bereaved relatives, Memorial Masons and Funeral Directors as well as maintaining the computerised and paper statutory records, and arranging and overseeing the grounds maintenance contract. They will also prepare meeting agendas, taking minutes, dealing with correspondence and enquiries from members of the public, and liaising with contractors and local government staff, so the ability to communicate well at all levels with a good standard of general education is therefore essential.
For this varied position, candidates should have excellent administration skills and must be computer literate. Working from home with equipment provided, they must be able to drive or have access to transport to undertake duties around the parish and attend meetings elsewhere. Hours can be flexible, but the postholder must be able to attend the monthly meetings which are held in the evening. They will ideally have previous experience working as a Parish Clerk or similar post and/or have knowledge of local government, although this is not essential and a programme of induction and training for the role will be provided. Candidates should therefore be prepared to undertake continued development and study to achieve the Certificate in Local Council Administration in order to carry out their duties effectively.
Applicants will be required to submit a CV or complete an application form. A copy of the Job description and Person Specification is available below, or from the Clerk, who is also available to discuss the role with interested candidates.