Working at Somerset Council

We will give you every opportunity to develop and achieve your full potential.

The best and the brightest supporting you

Rewards

At Somerset Council, we work hard to attract (and keep) the best and the brightest people.

We want to make sure that once you are on board, you are well supported and rewarded for the work that you do.

Flexibility

From car sharing, to carers support, to flexible working, we do everything that we can to help you achieve the work-life balance that you need.

Need some extra time off? Our salary deduction scheme means that you can apply for up to two weeks additional unpaid leave each year.

Development

We will give you every opportunity to develop and achieve your full potential.

There is a real sense of being valued at the council – and that is why we give you the option to work flexibly, including working from home wherever possible, and help achieve a healthy balance between your work life and your private life.

Reasons to join us

Flexible working

Holiday allowance

Staff discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Work the way that suits you

Because we all have lives outside work, we will help you balance work and home commitments in a way that suits you. If you are looking for some flexibility in where or how you work, we will try to support you with that. Most of our people enjoy the option of flexible working hours, with different start and finish times, depending on their and our needs. Many of our roles give you the option to work from home, at least some of the week.

Depending on your role, you may be able to work part of the day or part of the week. Some of our jobs are also potentially open to job share. It is a great way for working parents to fit work around family responsibilities. Some of our roles are also available for term time working. This means you will be on a permanent full or part-time contract, with the ability to take unpaid leave during the school holidays. We will also help you to support the local community, by offering up to two days’ paid time off each year for voluntary work.

Take time to unplug

You will enjoy a generous holiday allowance. You will also be able to buy extra days through our salary sacrifice scheme.

My Staff Shop

We all love to save money on the things we buy. As well as discounts on everything from bikes and laptops, to cinema tickets, insurance to professional memberships, our My Staff Shop scheme gives you access to thousands of deals, savings and benefits from national and local businesses.

Enjoy your commute

Buy a new bike and safety equipment through salary sacrifice and take off the tax – that’s a big saving!

My New Car salary sacrifice scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Technology

Save on your next vehicle

If you are looking for a new car, this scheme gives you access to a range of over 4,000 brand-new factory order cars which are available on three or four year deals.

Save for retirement

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a secure pension that keeps pace with any cost of living increases.

Your monthly pension contributions are boosted by tax relief and additional employer contributions. You are also able to make Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC). Any payments you make are deducted from your salary with full tax relief.

Find out more about pensions

Work when and where you need to

We will make sure that you have the technology you need to do your job to the best of your abilities.

Importantly, this will be technology that enables you to work smarter and more flexibly, working when and where you need to. We also have a number of smart offices dotted across the county, which you are able to work from.

Your wellbeing

When you are feeling well, you are working well. That is why we make it a priority to look after your health and wellbeing. We have invested in the Working Well programme, which provides information, guidance and support on a range of issues, including stress management.

We also have a team of Working Well Champions and Mental Health Ambassadors who support workplace wellbeing across all our locations.

Your future

Development

Your personal and professional development means everything to us. We are passionate about growing our own talent and giving you the opportunity to take your career in the direction you want it to go.

One of the ways we help you to manage your career is through regular appraisals, supervision and one-to-ones. Check in with your manager, talk about what you have achieved, what you want to achieve and how to get there, plus any areas where improvements are needed.

Learning

The Learning Centre (TLC), our award-winning online training portal, has thousands of e-learning modules, coaching opportunities, and career toolkits available for you. You are able to learn at your own pace, and it is a great way to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date.

We care about helping you to achieve your full potential, love what you do, and do it brilliantly.

Mentors and coaches

We have an impressive, and very active, network of qualified and experienced coaches supporting our people through formal coaching and mentoring sessions.

Many of our people have found coaching incredibly useful when taking on a new role or challenge. For our people managers, we offer a coaching course to help you learn to use coaching as a management tool.

Apprenticeships

We want you to get the most out of your career with us. So you will have access to a range of training programmes designed to help you develop your existing skills and learn new ones.

We recognise the benefits of apprenticeships, and we are now able to support you across all educational apprenticeship stages, from GCSE, to master’s degree equivalent qualifications.

View all Apprenticeships

Technology and Innovation Champions

Our Innovation Champions play a key role in the transformation happening across our complex organisation. They help us to explore and promote new ways of working, and share inventive, creative ideas with fellow Champs and colleagues.

Similarly, our Technology Champions focus on the delivery, testing and support of new technology. Anyone who works here can apply to become a Champion, it is a brilliant way to further develop your skills, and to get involved in projects outside your day-to-day work.

Volunteering

One of the less obvious ways to increase your skills is through volunteering. As well as being great for local communities, it is brilliant for boosting self-confidence, or developing teamworking skills. That is why we encourage everyone here to give it a go. We will give you up-to five days a year paid time off to do your bit. Now that’s got to be worth doing.

Volunteering in Somerset