Appeals Officer
Details
- Reference: SCC/TP/288571/2244
- Positions: 1
- Salary: £35,730 - £38,585 per annum
- Category: Democratic Services
- Contract type: Permanent
- Working hours: 36 hours per week
- Posted on: 2 December 2024
- Closing date: 5 January 2025
- Directorate: Finance & Corporate Services
- Location: Dakota, De Havilland Drive, Weybridge, KT22 7AH
Description
We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.
The starting salary for this role is £35,730 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
Do you want to challenge yourself and learn new skills in a varied and fast paced role? We are excited to be hiring a new Appeals Officer to join our fantastic team, based in Weybridge.
The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with a weekly balance of remote and in-person office based working at least 2 days a week. There will be flexibility to work from different Council offices on occasions and the team will provide support.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
This is an opportunity to join a small but busy team, responsible for processing school admission appeals and reviews against permanent exclusion.
As an Appeals Officer, you will be dealing with complex and often legal queries raised frequently by parties to the process. You will be required to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations and statutory guidance to your work. You will be planning and organising appeals and reviews dealing with members of the public, schools and volunteers from many different backgrounds. You will organise hearings and reviews in line with relevant legislation as well as helping appellants feel they have had a fair hearing in line with natural justice.
This is a front line service and you will communicate with a wide range of people including residents, partner organisations, volunteers and other teams within the Council. You will also be required to accurately record, store and process data and have a good understanding of the need for confidentiality and requirements of data protection legislation.
Hearings and reviews will be held in person, remotely or can be hybrid and you will be responsible for your own workload. There will be some flexibility over working hours needed particularly at certain times of the year.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
- Ability to understand, interpret and apply legislation
- Experience of working with the public and excellent customer care skills
- Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to build sound relationships
- Ability to prioritise and plan workload in the context of conflicting priorities and strict deadlines
- Excellent IT skills and use of databases with the ability to accurately record, store and process data
- Good team ethic with a flexible and creative approach to work
- A good understanding of the need for confidentiality and requirements of data protection legislation
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Angela Bridgman via telephone 07790582758 or email at angela.bridgman@surreycc.gov.uk
The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 5th January 2025 with interviews planned for early January.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
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