Graduate
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Salary: SK10 (£34,605 per annum)
Contract: Fixed Term until 31st August 2028
Our Graduate Scheme is designed to give you a broad, hands-on experience of local government while helping you build the skills, confidence and insight needed for a successful career in public service. The role provides an opportunity to understand how a district council operates, how decisions are made, and how services are designed and delivered to meet the needs of residents, businesses and communities.
During the programme, Graduates complete three placements across different Council departments, giving exposure to a variety of services and professional disciplines. This rotational approach helps you understand how different teams work together to deliver essential services for our communities, while developing practical skills in project support, problem solving, communication, research, data analysis, policy awareness and stakeholder engagement.
Your first placement will be in Human Resources, where you’ll work on real projects that make a difference to our workforce. You’ll support initiatives focused on:
- enhancing learning and development opportunities
- promoting employee wellbeing
- improving overall colleague experience
For your second and third placements, we take a flexible approach. These rotations are shaped around both business priorities and your career interests, allowing you to explore areas that match your strengths and ambitions while gaining valuable organisational insight.
Across all placements, the Graduate will be expected to contribute to meaningful work that supports Council priorities. This may include assisting with service improvement activity, undertaking research, analysing information, preparing reports or briefings, supporting engagement with colleagues and partners, and helping to develop practical solutions to organisational challenges.
The role is intended to provide a balance of structured support and real responsibility. Graduates will be encouraged to ask questions, bring fresh ideas, build relationships across the organisation, and take ownership of tasks and projects appropriate to their placement area and level of experience.
To support throughout the programme, every Graduate receives:
- a line manager for day-to-day guidance
- a mentor for career development and professional advice
- a buddy to help you settle in and navigate the organisation
This strong support network ensures they are encouraged, challenged and empowered to grow from day one.
The purpose of this role is to develop a Graduate into a confident, capable professional ready to make a positive impact in local government.
This role is not politically restricted.
Salary range
- £34,605 per year