Apprentice Business Support Officer (on behalf of Southwater Parish Council)
Salary: See below
Hours per week: See below
Contract type: See below
Closing date: 23 Feb 2026 08:30
Ref: PAR
About the role:
(Advertised by HDC on behalf of Southwater Parish Council)
Position: Apprentice Business Support Officer Apprenticeship
Standard: Level 3 Business Administrator
Salary: Starting from £21,500 per annum (Full Time Equivalent)
Pension: NEST Pension Scheme
Hours: 37 hours per week (Full Time), including paid apprenticeship training time
Location: Beeson House, 26 Lintot Square, Southwater, W. Sussex RH13 9LA
Responsible to: Executive Officer and Responsible Finance Officer
Annual Leave: Starts from 24 days per annum (pro rata) plus bank holidays
Closing Date for Applications: 8:30am, Monday 23rd February 2026
About Us
Southwater Parish Council is Gold Award Council dedicated to serving our vibrant and growing community. We are committed to delivering high quality services and projects that enhance the lives of our residents. To support this, we are looking to expand our office team with the addition of an Apprentice Business Support Officer, providing valuable administrative support while developing their own skills and experience in local government.
Role Overview
We are recruiting for a new Apprentice Business Support Officer based at Beeson House. This is a full-time apprenticeship role that combines practical work experience with study towards the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship standard. The apprenticeship is expected to run for approximately 18 months, including time for final assessment, with training delivered during paid working hours. The role is ideal for someone who is organised, willing to learn and interested in how a Parish Council operates. You will support the Executive Officer and the wider office team with a range of day-to-day tasks, including customer service, bookings administration, basic finance support, website updates and general office work. In return, you will gain a recognised qualification, structured training during paid working hours and a solid foundation for a future career in business administration and or local government. The Council’s intention is to retain and develop the successful apprentice where possible. Subject to satisfactory performance, funding and business need, the post is expected to convert to a permanent Business Support Officer role following successful completion of the apprenticeship and end point assessment. Final decisions would be confirmed nearer the completion date.
Key Responsibilities
- Working under supervision and with training provided, the Apprentice Business Support Officer will:
- Provide a professional and welcoming first point of contact at Beeson House for visitors, phone and email enquiries.
- Support the Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer and wider office team with general administration.
- Assist with Beeson House bookings, including responding to booking enquiries, maintaining the bookings diary and issuing standard hire agreements.
- Provide basic finance administration support to the Senior Accounts Administrator in relation to hires and other routine records, appropriate to the level of the apprenticeship.
- Provide administrative support to the Community Engagement Officer and Senior Operations Officer, for example event admin, website updates and maintaining simple asset or inspection records.
Full details of duties and responsibilities are set out in the Job Description.
Qualifications and Skills
Essential:
- GCSEs or equivalent at grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Confident using IT, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Organised, with the ability to follow instructions and manage simple tasks to deadlines.
- Positive attitude, reliability and a genuine willingness to learn.
Desirable:
- English and Mathematics GCSEs or equivalent at grade 5 or above.
- Interest in local government, administration, community and public service.
- Experience of dealing with people in a customer service, school, voluntary or work environment.
- Experience of using Canva, website content management systems, and social media platforms.
Full details are set out in the Person Specification.
General Information
The post holders will be contracted to work 37 hours per week, in accordance with office hours of Monday to Thursday (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and Friday (8:30 am to 4:00 pm), including a minimum of 6 hours per week of off the job apprenticeship training during paid working time. Occasional evening meetings may be required to support Council or committee meetings and events, by prior agreement.
This is a fixed term apprenticeship position for the duration of the apprenticeship. The Council’s working assumption is that, subject to satisfactory performance, funding and business need, the role will convert to a permanent Business Support Officer position on completion of the apprenticeship. Any such confirmation would be made nearer the end of the apprenticeship and cannot be absolutely guaranteed.
Southwater Parish Council supports its employees by encouraging their professional development and offering 24 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. Apprentices will receive structured training from an approved training provider and on the job support from the Council’s officers.
Southwater Parish Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
How to Apply
For further details including a job description , job specification and to apply, visit Southwater Parish Council's website.
(Advertised by HDC on behalf of Southwater Parish Council)