How to apply

Our recruitment process is designed to be both fair and effective. To help you get started here are some things you need to know before you apply and what you can expect from our selection process.

You will need to fill in our online application – select the 'Apply' button on the vacancy to get to it. We do not accept CVs instead of the application. If you are interested in casual work you need to fill in a casual application form instead.
The online application form takes around 60 minutes to complete.
If you are sending a supporting statement it is easier to first complete it in Microsoft Word, and then upload it
Your application will be assessed against the criteria in the job description. Read it carefully and make sure you demonstrate how your skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours match all the criteria. Use specific examples to fully explain when, where and what was involved.

Have you taken a look at our values and behaviours to see if we're a good fit for you?

What you need to know before you apply

Convictions and disclosure checks Toggle accordion

All successful applicants for our posts are subject to a check of unspent criminal convictions (called a Basic Disclosure) once a conditional offer has been made. If the job you are applying for involves substantial access to vulnerable people, or personal confidential information about them, you must agree to a Standard/Enhanced Disclosure check.

One of the questions on the application form asks whether you have any convictions for criminal offences.

If you have in the past been convicted of a criminal offence, then under certain circumstances, the Rehabilitation of Offenders act 1974 allows you to regard the conviction as "spent", and to answer the question as though the offence had never happened.

However, if you are applying for a post that needs a Standard/Enhanced Disclose check, then all convictions whether spent or not must be included on the disclosure certificate. The recruitment pack will tell you if this is needed for the post you are applying for. This check would be made if you have been successful for a role, but before a formal offer of employment is made.

More information is available on the Government website about the Disclosure and Barring Service and guidance on which convictions must be declared when applying for jobs.

St Albans District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have a disability Toggle accordion

We positively welcome applications from people with disabilities and appreciate that they can face additional challenges to gaining employment.

Under the Equality Act 2010 a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to-day activities. As part of our responsibilities under the Act we provide the following support.

Guaranteed interview scheme

As part of our ‘Disability Confident’ employer status, if you have declared a disability on the application form we can guarantee you the next stage in the selection process (usually an interview) if you meet the essential criteria for the job.

Support and assistance

We also aim to ensure that our recruitment process is flexible and supportive to meet individual needs. If you need any assistance in completing the application form or if you need information in an alternative format, please ask our Human Resources team on 01727 819251 or recruitment @stalbans.gov.uk

Reasonable adjustments

If you are invited for interview, you should let the recruiting manager know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments. Wherever possible we will make the necessary arrangements. Examples could include:

Providing a car parking space for you while you attend the interview
Ensuring the interview is held in an accessible room or building
Arranging for help with communication in the interview
Allowing a carer, assistant or other person to accompany you

Before any interview we will let you know:

The location, date and time of the selection process
The way we will conduct the selection process e.g. use of tests

This will give you a chance to contact us to discuss any adjustments or assistance.

The right to live and work in the UK Toggle accordion

Under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 we must check all potential employees before they start work to ensure only those able to work legally in the UK are offered employment.

If you’re successful we will ask you to provide original documents (not copies) with you so that we can complete these checks. We will tell you which documents we need at the time. Visit the Government website for more information on the right to work in the UK.

Our selection process

Step 1: Online application Toggle accordion

Complete an online application form. You will receive a confirmation email to let you know we have received your application.

Step 2: Shortlisting Toggle accordion

Once the closing date has passed, all applications are sent to the recruiting manager for shortlisting. They will review your information against the essential and desirable requirements of the role, as set out in the job description and person specification.

If you’re successful at this stage, we will invite you to the selection stage. If not, you can ask for feedback from the recruiting manager.

Step 3: Interview and assessment Toggle accordion

We use a variety of selection methods depending on the role we’re recruiting for. The recruitment team will always let you know what to expect.

Step 4: Decision Toggle accordion

We’ll let you know when you can expect to hear from us at the end of the interview or assessment day.

If you receive and accept a verbal offer you will then receive confirmation details of the offer by email with a draft contract.

Step 5: Employment and safeguarding checks Toggle accordion

Once you have been offered a role we will complete a series employment checks - a basic medical check, written references, and a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, work permit checks, and confirmation of qualifications. It’s important that you don’t resign from your current job until these checks are complete.

Once all your clearance checks have been successfully completed your start date will be confirmed in writing by email.