Local government officers work for the local council. They work in a department such as education, housing, planning or social work and carry out the decisions made by local councillors. They ensure that council policies are put in place and council services are being delivered well.
The Work
You could be:
managing or helping to manage a department efficiently
managing the budget for a department
recruiting, supervising and monitoring staff
managing and evaluating projects
doing research and preparing reports for councillors and senior managers
preparing agendas for council meetings and taking minutes
presenting information at meetings
helping councillors develop and implement council policies
working with other agencies.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the local authority you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting salaries for local government administrators in Scotland might start at around £21,000 to £24,000 depending on the qualifications held. Senior officers can earn up to £40,000 or more. There is usually a good pension scheme.
Conditions
You would work in a local government office.
You may have to visit local people in their homes or attend meetings in the offices of other organisations.
You would work regular hours, but you might sometimes have to work evenings or weekends.
You might be able to work flexitime.
It is possible to work part time or on a job sharing basis.
It may be possible to enter in a junior position, with Highers or an NC or NQ (SCQF Level 4-6), and work your way up.
Entry requirements for an NC or NQ is up to 4 subjects at National 4 or 5.
Increasing numbers of entrants are graduates. The degree subject would depend on the department, but subjects such as business studies, economics, politics and social administration may be especially useful.
Entry to a degree (SCQF Levels 9-10) course usually requires 4-5 Highers, normally including English.
You may be able to enter this job by being promoted from the post of local government administrative assistant, if you have suitable qualifications and the right experience.
What Does it Take?
You should have:
number skills to work with statistics, budgets and invoices
negotiation skills
problem solving skills
tact and diplomacy
IT skills.
You need to be able to:
respect confidential information
communicate effectively, and get on with people from all backgrounds
analyse and interpret data
use your initiative
work to deadlines
work in a team and manage people.
Training
You would train and gain experience on the job under the supervision of senior staff.
You may also be able to study for further qualifications in public administration, business administration or management by part time attendance at college or by distance learning.
There is a wide range of courses available, from SVQs, through HNCs to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) postgraduate course and a variety of professional qualifications.
