Applying for a job at the council

Application process

Applicants can view our current vacancies and apply for roles by going to the Current vacancies page.

If you have any difficulties in completing the application or require it to be sent in an alternative format, please contact recruitment@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

The supporting statement is the most important part of the application. Your application should demonstrate how you meet the criteria mentioned in the Person Specification located at the end of the Job Description.

It is important to make sure you:

• Copy and paste the criteria outlined in the person specification into a word processing document and use these points as headings to your answers.
• When addressing the criteria, please do not only repeat what the person specification states, but give clear examples of how your skills, knowledge or experiences are relevant to the criteria.
• If you do not have past job experience, you can mention any experience gained at school, college, home, volunteering or work experience.
• Avoid unspecific statements such as 'I have the skills and abilities mentioned in the person specification'.
• Avoid copying and pasting your CV into this section.

The information you provide on the Recruitment Monitoring section is not seen by those considering your application. This information is held in confidence by Human Resources and is used for recruitment and selection monitoring purposes only.

The closing date for applications will be detailed on the advert and in the Job Pack and we will not consider applications received after this time. We do not acknowledge applications unless asked to do so. We will inform applicants of the outcome of their applications by email as soon as possible.

Interviews

We notify all applicants of the outcome, whether or not they have been invited for interview, as soon after the closing date as we can. We hold interviews for all posts, with at least two people on the interview panel, typically the line manager plus one other.  Depending on the role and level a HR Business Partner may also sit on the panel.  Also depending on the role and level, candidates may be asked to perform a test and/or prepare a presentation.  If applicable, details will be given in the invite to interview email.

At the interview you will be asked questions about your skills and experience, but you will also have the opportunity to find out more about the position and ask any other questions you have for us.

Normally all interviews for a position are carried out on the same day or within a few days of each other. We aim to make a decision as quickly as possible and will advise all candidates regardless of whether or not they have been successful.

Disability Confident Employer

We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to equality of opportunity for applicants. Disability Confident Employers lead the way in showing their commitment to supporting disabled people in the workplace.

If you have a disability and require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, whether that is at application or interview stage, please let is know in advance so that any support, aids or adaptions can be put in place to assist you. You can do this on your application form or by emailing us at recruitment@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

Offers of employment

Any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory references and medical clearance. You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire which is seen by the Medical Adviser only.

Under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 we are required to see documentary evidence of everyone we employ proving they are legally entitled to work in the UK. Therefore, we cannot permit anybody to start work with us until they have provided proof of this entitlement.

We are required to see and take a copy of your original UK passport or if you do not hold a passport your Birth Certificate issued in the UK along with an official document issued by a government agency or previous employer showing your name and National Insurance Number. If you are not a British Citizen, you will need to provide the relevant paper documentation proving that you are entitled to remain and work in the UK, or a share code generated on the GOV website so your entitlement can be checked by our Human Resources team.

Due to the nature of the work some positions will also require us to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure, or Basic Disclosure check.  We cover payment and you will receive full information about the checks and whether this is required for the role that you are applying for.

Equalities

We are committed to ensuring that our activities are free from discrimination. We have in place an Equality Policy that applies to all staff, councillors and partner organisations and that supports our aim of equality of opportunity in recruitment and employment practices.