• Fixed term until 31 December 2024
• Part-time 22.2 hours per week over 3 days.
• 3 day job share with other team member working 3 days in succession to include either a Monday or a Friday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata
• Primarily based in Taunton there is a requirement to work from time to time at different locations across Somerset to support the Coroner.

Somerset’s Coroner’s Service investigates the circumstances of all deaths where there is reason to suspect that the cause of death is unknown, is violent or unnatural, or occurred whilst the deceased was in lawful custody.  In this key role, you will provide full administrative support to enable the Senior Coroner to fulfil their statutory responsibilities.  You will also provide accurate and timely information together with guidance and support to bereaved people. Your day-to-day work will include:

Main Responsibility

• Administrative functions including answering calls and emails from bereaved family members, stakeholders and press/public in relation to cases referred to the Coroner
• Preparing inquest bundles for use at Pre-Inquest Review Hearing (PIR) or final hearing
• Administrative inquest preparation by:
  • advising people that that are considered as an Interested person
  • requesting and confirming witness attendance
  • sending out remote links to enable remote participation
  • dealing with jury summoning, evidential bundles and any other aspect of preparation for a jury inquest
• Liaising with the webteam to ensure inquest opening and monthly listings are published on time and are up-to-date
• Liaising with the CCSS to ensure sufficient volunteer cover on days where family and/or witnesses will be attending an inquest
• Collating and liaising with the Coroner’s Officers to ensure timely file reviews of their cases, to minimise the risk of any adjournments due to outstanding evidence.
• Treasure inquests

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

• English GCSE Grade C above, or equivalent
• Office administration, including document handling/ records and IT skills to include current standard IT applications including spreadsheets, electronic diaries, case management.
• Demonstrable interpersonal and communication skills with a confident telephone manner.
• The ability to work as a team using initiative and appropriate problem-solving skills, to work flexibly and to adapt to change is required.
• Ability to manage own workload in a demanding and pressured environment or competing priorities whilst maintain the high standards of work, meeting deadlines and remaining compliant with statutory and internal requirements.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Dave Coles Head of Regulatory Services on 01278 435340 or email dave.coles@somerset.gov.uk or Suzanne Keniston, Practice  Manager on  01823 356229 or email suzanne.keniston@somerset.gov.uk.

Interviews will take place in August or early September 2024.

The salary for this role is £13,868 - £14,338 per annum for 22.2 hours per week.

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.