Admissions, Applications & Awards Officer

Admissions, Applications & Awards Officer Permanent, Part Time £24,970 to £29,377 per annum (full time equivalent) Location: Chelmsford Working Style: Anywhere worker Please note this is a part time position working 3 days per week, for 22.2 hours per week in total.
The pro rata salary will be between £14,982 and £17,626 per annum.
The Opportunity To validate, assess and determine a high volume of applications under legislative criteria, applying detailed knowledge of school admissions and education transport assessment, preparing case papers for appeal hearings to be heard under statutory guidance.
This role will work in a multi-disciplinary team handling applications for admissions to more than 500 mainstream schools in Essex and the full spectrum of primary, secondary, special and alternative provision schools in relation to transport eligibility.
Responsible for the timely assessment and determination of school places and transport assessment for children in response to several thousands of individual applications, the postholder will interact on a daily basis with schools, parents and other internal and external stakeholders to deliver outcomes under the law and Council policies.
Excellent, timely customer service, whilst upholding Council policy decisions in these critical front line services will be essential.
The Experience You Will Bring Educated to A Level standard or equivalent by experience.
A high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills.
Knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy framework on school admissions and transport, including the Statutory School Admission Code and the co-ordinated processes.
Excellent IT skills particularly in Microsoft Excel and the use of databases and email.
Knowledge and experience of the Capita One admissions systems and software would be a distinct advantage.
An understanding of the requirements of data protection and information security.
The ability to work independently with limited supervision to complete essential tasks that are critical to the overall processes.
Experience in working in a customer focused environment with an appreciation of accountability and the consequences of actions and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders .
Adept and multi-tasking and working in a pressurised environment of non-negotiable deadlines, whilst maintaining quality.
What's in it for you?
Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options.
Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
26 days annual leave bank holidays choice to buy extra.
Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group.
Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave.
What will you be doing?
Validating, considering and determining applications for school places under national legislation and the statutory School Admissions Code to fulfil the Council's statutory and published obligations on each individual application.
Apply detailed subject matter knowledge of the law, statutory guidance and the Council's Education Transport Policy to accurately assess each application and inform parents within service timescales.
Ensure all individual school and casework deadlines are met, working in partnership with schools and preparing detailed, accurate documents for the statutory independent admission appeal process.
Monitor and quality assure the accuracy and completion of the work of Customer Service Advisers, providing training and support.
Work collaboratively and correspond with relevant stakeholders, including with parents of children with complex needs, as well as with schools and Headteachers to provide outcomes, whilst maintaining Council policy.
Continuously monitor and review outstanding work, escalating casework and issues as necessary and keep parents and schools informed about any delays.
Be responsible for providing detailed individual casework history and advising more senior officers in order to respond to complaints made through Cllr's, elected members, MPs, the Local Government Ombudsman and other relevant sources.
Challenge any inappropriate advice, robustly and clearly defending Council policy whilst demonstrating empathy for parents, including those with children with special educational needs and disabilities to deliver fair and lawful transport assessment outcomes.
Use in depth knowledge to respond to high volumes of customer enquiries about admission and transport policy, co-ordinating information for complaints and transport appeals and sharing feedback to suggest and implement continuous improvement.
To undertake effective complaint and conflict resolution with parents, schools and other relevant customers, evaluating issues and using effective oral and written communication skills to offer de-escalate concerns.
The Experience You Will Bring Essential: Educated to A Level standard or equivalent by experience.
A high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills.
Knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy framework on school admissions and transport, including the Statutory School Admission Code and the co-ordinated processes.
Excellent IT skills particularly in Microsoft Excel and the use of databases and email.
Knowledge and experience of the Capita One admissions systems and software would be a distinct advantage.
An understanding of the requirements of data protection and information security.
The ability to work independently with limited supervision to complete essential tasks that are critical to the overall processes.
Experience in working in a customer focused environment with an appreciation of accountability and the consequences of actions and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.
Adept and multi-tasking and working in a pressurised environment of non-negotiable deadlines, whilst maintaining quality.
To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services Why Essex?
Essex County Council has a location to be proud of.
Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton.
England's oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here.
Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres.
It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career.
Read more about us.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.
We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service.
The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate.
This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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Further details can be found on our careers page .
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