Democratic & Electoral Services Officer

Package Description

We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes Council, including:-

• Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 19.7%
• 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Health Cashplan
• MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
• SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
• Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles)
• Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs)
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements
• Childcare Subsidy

Job Introduction

Working in a team of three supported by two senior officers along with the Electoral Services Manager and Committee Services Manager, you will support the Council’s governance and electoral processes. This will include day to day electoral registration work as well as supporting the delivery of all elections and referendums in Milton Keynes. You will also be responsible for managing several of the Council’s committees and undertake all associated tasks for these including preparing and publishing agendas, reports and minutes.

Some evening work will be required, but you will have the freedom to manage your workload, supported by our flexible working policy. During election periods, you may be required to work in various locations and undertake additional hours.

Experience of working in elections or governance setting would be an advantage, but we’re looking for someone who is interested in democratic processes, can communicate confidently with a range of different people and has excellent attention to detail.

Successful candidates can expect support to progress through foundation / certificate routes with the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO).

Role Responsibilities

• To plan, organise and manage meetings of the Council’s, committees, supporting bodies and other internal meetings within statutory and organisational timescales.
• Preparing and publishing agendas, reports and minutes, that are accurate and in line with statutory requirements.
• To undertake day-to-day administration and processing work in respect of individual electoral registration, the annual electoral canvass, publication and distribution of the electoral register, absent voting and voter identification, in accordance with legislation, local procedures and statutory guidance.

Ideal Candidate

• You will have an interest in democracy and local governance.
• You will enjoy communicating with members of the public and other stakeholders.
• You will have experience of working with IT systems including Microsoft Office suite and ideally Teams.
• You will be organised and have an eye for detail.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes is a diverse, multi cultural, adrenaline packed expanding city with so much to offer on its door step. From beautiful open spaces, a busy theatre district, large shopping centre to a number of cultural and leisure facilities. Milton Keynes Council has an array of responsibilities, such as: education, housing, highways and social services. Altogether, the council provides over 240 services to the citizens of Milton Keynes, and to meet such an extensive and diverse range of challenges we must be innovative and dynamic to provide services successfully to meet the increasing demands that will accompany the growth of Milton Keynes. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with us.  Here at Milton Keynes Council, we pride ourselves on modelling our values, that were co-created with colleague.  We are dedicated, respectful and collaborative as we strive every day to make a difference to local people and the community we serve.  If you share our values and want to experience a fulfilling job measured on outcomes and results with great work-life balance, make a move to Milton Keynes Council.