After reading the overview below, you can find out about:
Overview
You can apply for all Central Bedfordshire Council jobs on our website. For most jobs it will take around 15 minutes to apply after you have completed your candidate profile.
We want to make applying for jobs here as easy as possible and we are committed to delivering a great candidate experience. Fairness and equity are one of our key values and we make sure this is reflected in our application and assessment processes.
During the application process we’ll ask whether you would like to declare a disability under the Disability Confident Scheme. As members we are committed to reducing barriers disabled candidates face when applying for jobs. We will always offer an interview to candidates applying through the scheme if they meet the minimum criteria for the job.
As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to improving the diversity of our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve and welcome applications from everyone.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact us at recruitment@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Please note: If you are applying for a role in a role that requires you to drive our vehicles, you will be required to have a full manual license to operate these.
If you require assistance to apply for our roles, help with writing your CV, interview techniques or careers advice please contact our team of careers advisors at ncs@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. Our service is confidential, impartial and free for all.
The application process
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create a Success Factors account to apply for a job with us. This process is very fast an easy and will mean that you can keep track on the status of your job application and receive email updates on how your application is progressing.
Our organisational competency framework outlines the core behaviours, skills and abilities that are crucial to continue to deliver great services to our residents. It enables us to more effectively develop and manage good performance in a clear and consistent manner as well as enabling us to recruit and retain great people.
Competencies are the behaviours, skills and abilities which you will need to perform effectively in your role. Competencies are not only about the ‘what’ you know, but about ‘how’ you apply what you know to deliver the outcomes of the role.
When you apply for a job with us you will need to align your application to the Role Profile and Family Profile for the role. These are available as a link on all job adverts. We ask that when you answer the screening questions for your application, you give as much detail as possible and refer back to these while doing so.
We strongly advise candidates to read our Competency Framework (PDF) and Family Profile Qualification Guidance (PDF) before applying.
Interviews
If you are selected to attend an interview, for most jobs you will be contacted via email. For some jobs you may receive a call from one of our team to book a mutually convenient time. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made for your interview please inform us as soon as you can.
Your interview will either take place over Microsoft Teams or Face to Face at one of our offices. This will be specified in the job description and on your interview invite.
We use behavioural interviews to assess all candidates. You will be asked to provide specific examples from your current or previous jobs to demonstrate how you would behave in certain situations. This aligns to our Competency Framework (PDF). Please also read our Family Profile Qualification Guidance (PDF).
The decision
If you are successful at interview you will receive a phone call from a member of the interview panel who will talk you through the job offer. If you verbally accept our offer you will receive a written confirmation via email that will also explain the next steps of the process, this will include pre-employment screening checks.
If you are not successful at interview we will provide you with constructive feedback should you request this. We recommend candidates request feedback if they are unsuccessful as it will help to prepare for future interviews or assessments.
Pre-employment checks
Once you have accepted our offer of employment we will start the pre employment checks applicable to the role you have been offered, these will be a minimum of:
- eligibility to live and work in the UK
- proof of National Insurance
- medical check
- references to cover the last 2 years of employment
- completion of e-learning
If the role requires a DBS we will also process this check with you as well as requesting the following:
- references from your last employer
- seeking clarification of any gaps of employment
- if you have lived or worked abroad in the past 10 years we may request an overseas police check
- telephone verifications from your referees
All of our offers of employment are conditional on the basis that satisfactory pre-employment checks have been received. We are also unable to set start dates for new employees until we have completed all checks.
Hire
Once your start date is confirmed, you are good to go! We will send a contract to you before you start for you to sign and return. We wish you the best of luck in your new role and look forward to having you work with us.