Democratic Services Officer (maternity cover - fixed term contract 12 months)

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Please apply online via the link provided.

Please include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.

We have a great opportunity for a Democratic Services Officer on a full time, fixed-term/secondment basis, for 12 months to cover maternity leave.

(Any successful internal candidate will be offered the position as a secondment and, in line with Section 8.1 of the Secondment Policy, must consult with their manager before applying. Search ‘secondment policy’ on the intranet for more information)

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

About you...

Are you ready to be at the heart of local government, helping shape the decisions that matter most?

As a Democratic Services Officer, you will be at the centre of local government, providing vital support to the council’s decision-making processes.

This 12-month opportunity offers an exciting chance to join our Democratic Services team, where you will play an important role in organising, supporting, and administering a diverse range of council and partnership meetings.

Whether you are an experienced Democratic Services Officer or looking to build on limited experience, you will have plenty of scope to develop your skills and expertise within this role. Advice and guidance will always be on hand from a positive and supportive team.

You will be working at the centre of the council within Democratic and Registration Services, collaborating closely with colleagues at all levels across the organisation.

As a Democratic Services Officer, you will be supported by a positive, experienced and approachable team, always ready to offer advice and guidance.

About the team...

The Democratic Services team works closely with councillors, colleagues throughout the council and external partners to ensure that decision making is timely and in accordance with the council’s Constitution as well as being clear and transparent to the residents of Bracknell Forest.

Our team embraces a flexible approach to working, balancing time between our Time Square office in Bracknell Forest and working from home. This arrangement allows individuals to manage their responsibilities effectively. It is important to note that there is a requirement to attend and support evening meetings. Team members must be able to accommodate evening commitments in person at the office as part of their working pattern.

Key responsibilities...

As part of this team, you will work closely with councillors, colleagues across the Council, and external partners to ensure decision-making is timely, transparent, and aligned with the Council’s Constitution - making a real difference to the residents of Bracknell Forest.

Full training and ongoing guidance will be provided to support your success in the role.

Our benefits...

• 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

*(pro rata for part time)

Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.

Our values...

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments...

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.

Interview date

Interviews will be held on Monday 1 December 2025

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Hannah Harding,Head of Democratic & Electoral Services

Tel. : 01344 352308

or

Jamie Beardsmore, Democratic Services Manager

Tel.: 01344 352500

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

No agencies please.