Local government officers are responsible for the practical development of council policies and procedures, and need to ensure that local services are delivered. As an officer, you would need to figure out how to implement public policy in a cost effective way.
Local government offers a broad professional environment with good prospects for progression and promotion. It covers a range of officer roles, with many specialist areas including:
- education
- finance
- health
- housing
- human resources
- IT
- leisure and recreation
- libraries
- planning
- regeneration
- social work
- tourism
- transport.
This work is likely to involve contact with members of the public, councillors, administrators and specialists in other departments or other local councils or authorities. Some posts, particularly more senior roles, also involve committee work. Some less senior roles will work more exclusively within specific departments, but can still be responsible for a variety of services.