Summary
Part-time Assistant Clerk Vacancy
We are seeking to appoint a part-time Assistant to the Town Clerk to support the Trustees in the running of The Reef, our Youth & Community Centre, and support the activities of Colehill Town Council.
We are a proactive council, working hard to deliver a range of services for our residents, including a park and recreation ground, a number of woodlands, and The Reef. Applicants must be dynamic, forward thinking and have the ability to turn their hand to anything!
Colehill is a large semi-rural parish situated between the towns of Wimborne Minster and Ferndown. The Council has up to 16 councillors who all work on a voluntary basis to support the needs of our 7,000 residents.
The key skills required for the role include:
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal
- Effective organisational skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision
- Good problem solving and analytical skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, able to build effective relationships with a wide range of people using both tact and diplomacy
- Previous bookkeeping experience would be a key advantage
- Good IT skills, preferably with experience of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Experience of social media, particularly Facebook
- Comfortable to work without close supervision.
An understanding of local government/and or charities would be an advantage but not essential as training will be provided as appropriate. The successful applicant should be willing to undertake the Introduction to Local Council Administration (ILCA) training.
The post is part time, 20 hours per week. Pay will be in accordance with NALC pay scales, LC1 (SCP 13-17), currently £30,023 – £32,048 p.a. full time equivalent, actual salary pro-rata for 20 hours will be £16,228 – £17,323 p.a.
The role requires the postholder to be present at the Reef Community Centre, Colehill Lane, Colehill BH21 7AB, typically 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday, subject to reasonable adjustments where required under the Equality Act 2010.
A regular on-site presence is an essential requirement of the role, enabling the postholder to undertake daily checks of the building, meet hirers and contractors, respond to operational issues and provide a point of contact for centre users.
Some occasional evening/weekend working will be required.
Ideally you should be able to drive and have access to a vehicle.
The postholder will receive an annual leave entitlement of 92 hours per annum, together with a pro-rata entitlement in respect of bank holidays and statutory days, in accordance with the Council’s terms and conditions, which works out as
32 hours of bank holidays and 8 hours of statutory days.
Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme is available. The first 6 months of your employment will be probationary with regular reviews, the Council may end your employment by giving one month’s notice during or on expiry of your probationary period.
If this position interests you, and you would like to understand more about the role, then please contact Zoe Caddy, the Town Clerk by email at clerk@colehill.gov.uk or call 01202 880049 for an informal chat or to request an application form (also downloadable at the bottom). Between 7-17th September please contact the Council Chair Cllr Leslie Gibson on lgibson@colehill.gov.uk due to the Clerks annual leave.
Closing date for applications is 24th September 2026. Interviews will be held shortly afterwards and it is expected a job offer will be made to the successful applicant by mid-October.
Responsibilities for The Reef
To ensure the smooth running of The Reef, Colehill and Wimborne Youth & Community Centre. Specific responsibilities are likely to include (not limited to):
- Taking and overseeing bookings using the Hallmaster & FreeAgent systems, issuing invoices & processing payments (appropriate training will be given).
- Showing prospective bookers around, answering queries re facilities.
- Undertake promotional activity to drive an increase in bookings, and support community events, including use of social media, posters etc.
- Establish ongoing relationship with key hirers and encourage feedback from all users.
- Overseeing day to day maintenance and longer term improvements, both inside and outside.
- Overseeing and inspecting the cleaning work, with emergency cleaning as & when required.
- Ensuring the Reef’s equipment is maintained and inspected regularly, including formal inspections such as fire safety.
- Maintaining a risk assessment for The Reef.
- Identifying grant opportunities for The Reef charity.
Responsibilities for the Council
To provide occasional support the Parish Clerk as required in delivering the Council’s work. Specific responsibilities may include:
- Working on projects and community events.
- Managing parish noticeboards.
- Undertaking appropriate training as required including first aid training.
- Weekly routine tasks such as visual checks of playground and woods.
- Updating the Council’s website and social media pages when required.