Thank you for your interest in applying for a job at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.
All jobs are advertised on our website and can be applied for online only. If you need help to complete your online application form, please visit one of our Community Hubs where Officers are available to support you. Our Community Hub officers will be able to help you submit your online application form.
To apply for a job online, you will need to register and create an online account by entering an email address and a password, once registered, the system will retain your details for future applications. If you have previously registered, please log in using your username and password.
If you are a Blaenau Gwent Council employee please access jobs online via the My Info portal.
The email address you provide on your application will be used to communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
You should pay particular attention to the date that the advert closes, as on-line applications cannot be submitted once the closing date has passed. Completed applications and corresponding job descriptions will be available in your account to retrieve during the process.
Useful tips on how to apply
Your application is the gateway to the next stages of the recruitment process so it is crucial that you complete it thoroughly, drawing on the job details we have provided. Make sure to read all accompanying materials and reflect on why you're interested in the job and what skills and experiences you can bring to the role. A curriculum vitae (CV) will not be accepted as an alternative to completion of the application form.
The job description and person specification outline what is required for the role and your application should clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria, highlighting your knowledge, skills and experience with specific examples from your past experience. If you lack paid work experience, don't worry; we are interested in all kinds of experience including work experience, voluntary work, or leisure interests, etc.
Simply stating on your application that you have a skill isn't enough; you need to explain how you've used it. You may find it helpful to adopt the STAR format which is a structured way of demonstrating experience by providing specific examples. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result and allows you to showcase your skills and experiences in a clear and organised way, making it easier for the Recruiting Manager to assess your suitability for the role.
Here’s how you can use this format:
Situation:
Start by describing the situation or context in which the example took place. This should be a brief overview of the scenario you were in.
Task:
Next, explain the task or challenge you were facing. This should be a specific goal or objective you were trying to achieve.
Action:
Describe the actions you took to address the task or challenge. This should be a detailed account of the steps you took and the decisions you made.
Result:
Finally, explain the results or outcomes of your actions. This should include any positive outcomes or achievements, as well as any lessons learned or areas for improvement.
Only applicants who are deemed to have provided sufficient evidence that they meet the required criteria may progress beyond the initial first stage.
Applications in Welsh
The Council welcomes applications in Welsh and English and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. Communications sent in relation to your recruitment will be bilingual.
Disability Confident Employer
We are an accredited disability confident employer and actively promote a commitment to good disability employment practice. As part of this commitment, applicants with a disability defined under the Equalities Act 2010 and who meet the essential criteria for the role, will be offered an interview.
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Under this scheme, the Council guarantees an interview to the Armed Forces Community (those currently serving, have previously served, reservists and their partner/spouse) if they meet the essential requirements of the job.
Corporate Parenting Charter
Under this scheme the Council has a duty to support its care leavers when they are looking for work so they have the same support as their peers and can go on to gain employment and training. Where care experienced applicants* meet the essential criteria for the job, the Council guarantees an interview.
*someone who has been formally looked after by a local authority, in the family home (with support from social services or a social worker), in kinship care with family, friends or relatives (including informal kinship care), foster care, residential or secure care or legally adopted.
Re-Employment of Staff
Staff who have left the employment of the Council by means of a voluntary redundancy or a voluntary severance which included a financial package, will not usually be re-employed or re-engaged in any way (i.e. by way of agency or consultancy).
Next Steps
Following submission of your application you will receive an email confirmation that we have received your application successfully.
If you are shortlisted, the next stages of the recruitment and selection process will be confirmed with you, this will include details of what will be required of you and information about the date, time and location. We will also tell you if your application was not short-listed.
Pre-employment checks
If you are offered employment there are a number of pre-employment checks which may be required, depending on the post you are being recruited to and whether you are currently employed by the Council. Pre-employment checks are as follows:
- References
- Qualifications
- Work Health Assessment
- Right to Work
- Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate
- Professional Registration e.g. Education Workforce Council/Social Care Wales
Further information relating to the pre-employment checks applicable to your offer of employment will be included in your conditional offer pack.
Probationary Period
This is the opportunity for new employees to establish themselves in the position and for the manager to assess how well they are settling in, monitor the employees’ performance, and identify any development needs. Regular supervision is provided for all employees and notes from these sessions will be used to inform the successful completion of the probationary period.
Induction
Newly appointed employees will receive Directorate and Corporate Inductions. The format of these will vary according to the nature of the role you have been appointed to. Employees will be provided with login details to enable them to complete our online Corporate Induction, which should be completed within one month of starting. Employees without IT access will be supported by their manager to complete the online induction.
Thinqi
We have an e-learning platform called Thinqi which has lots of training and development resources for staff. It is available from any internet-enabled device and automatically adapts to laptops, tablets and smartphones so can be accessed at your convenience on a device of your choosing.
My Info (Employee Self Service)
We have an employee portal called My Info where you will be able to view and update your personal data. You are also able to view and download your payslips, submit expenses claims and see certain absence information. My Info can be accessed from any internet enabled device or through the intranet if you are using the Council’s IT network.
Contact Information
If you would like to contact a member of the Recruitment Team, please email: recruit.bgcbc@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
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