Registrars Team Leader - REQ003813

Job title: Registrars Team Leader

Salary: SO2 £37,280 - £39,152

Hours: 37 full time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Based in Merrion House, central Leeds

As one of our 3 Registrar Team Leaders you will enjoy playing a key role in managing and leading a team of registrars to deliver a variety of statutory front-line services including:

registering births, deaths and still births
attesting notices of marriage and civil partnership
arranging and performing marriage, civil partnership and Citizenship ceremonies
creating copy certificates of historic registrations

With a variety of roles to perform, you should therefore be flexible and be able to adapt to regularly changing demands.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

We are seeking candidates who have wide experience of working within the registration service and can interpret and explain legislation, policies and procedures to customers.

As a Team Leader, you will:

Line manage and appraise a team of registrars
Provide technical support and advice covering all statutory regulations to staff and customers.
Be able to undertake the work of registrars, as required
Ensure that all manual and electronic registration records are completed to high levels of accuracy.
Have excellent customer care skills.
Be able to confidently perform ceremonies that meet customer expectations and positively promote Leeds City Council.
Be a good team player but able to work independently with minimum supervision to make decisions and meet deadlines.

Although your main base will be in Merrion House, you will also be required to attend at marriage and civil partnership ceremonies at various locations in Leeds.

Working hours are 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday although the services does operate a limited flexi-time scheme. The role also involves working on one in four Saturdays and occasional out of hours (including Sunday) working for which additional out of hours payments are made.

About the role

The registration service dates back to 1837. Recruitment opportunities occur infrequently, reflecting the dedication of those delivering the service.

As a Team Leader, alongside your line management responsibilities you will be assisting our staff to deal with customers at key stages of their lives; helping them to deal with bereavement, sharing in the joy of new births, taking part in marriage celebrations or welcoming new British Citizens. If you enjoy working closely with members of the public there can be few more satisfying roles.

In delivering our services you will also be representing Leeds City Council so have the opportunity of demonstrating what a great service the council can provide to members of the local community.

And in making permanent registration record of these events, you will also be contributing to the written history of Leeds.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Steve Coupe, Superintendent Registrar. Call 0113 3789595 or email Stephen.coupe@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose To support staff and supervise the day to day delivery of the registration service, The postholder is personally responsible under statute to the Registrar General when registering births, deaths, still-births and marriages.

Responsibilities

Lead, manage and motivate a team of registration officers in delivering a front-line service which meets National performance standards.
Carry out all duties attached to the post of Superintendent Registrar, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and providing appropriate guidance and technical support to staff.
Maintain knowledge of relevant law and procedures and communicate any issues and changes affecting the service.
Monitor staff performance.
Undertake any Senior Registrar duty.
Manage, coach, develop and appraise staff, helping them to achieve their potential and maximise their contribution.
Ensure that a responsive, professional and caring service is provided to all customer at all times.
Assist staff members with difficult situations, and to be polite and professional if difficult or abusive situations arise or where customers ask to speak to a supervisor/manager.
Use extensive knowledge of the delivery of registration services, policies and procedures to advise staff, customers and other stakeholders.
Co-ordinate completion of administrative activities in an efficient and timely manner.
Undertake Risk assessments and Display Screen assessments ensuring that the Council’s Health and Safety policy is fully implemented.
Take on the responsibilities of the Registration Service Managers, as and when required, in their absence commensurate to grade.
Be aware of other Council Services and related community services and to advise or direct customer or staff enquiries appropriately.
Contribute actively to the development and promotion of the registration
Fully understand the legal requirements of GDPR, Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation, and to ensure that staff comply with this legislation.
Support the implementation of new legislation and process change to ensure that the service is delivered efficiently and effectively.
The postholder will be required to work from a variety of locations including Leeds City Council Hubs and any building registered for marriages /civil partnerships as well as any other place where a ceremony has been arranged e.g. hospitals, hospices, prisons and private addresses.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, colleagues and customers including:
Working Monday to Friday plus one Saturday in four on a rota basis,
Provide a Sunday service (9.00-10.00 a.m.) for emergency death registrations.
attending ceremonies on Sundays and Bank Holidays if required.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications Four GSCEs (Grade A-C) or equivalent including Maths and English or equivalent/ appropriate qualifications are essential. Customer Services NVQ Level 2 is desirable.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Able to deal effectively and sensitively with enquiries covering all aspects of the registration service.
Able to inspire and provide leadership which supports, enables and develops staff to achieve their potential.
Able to monitor and manage team and individual
Able to manage, prioritise and organise own workload.
Ability to interpret policies, procedures and complex information and provide appropriate registration advice and guidance to staff and customers.
Able to work effectively as part of the management team and to work collaboratively with other colleagues and services.
Able to act professionally to deal with challenging or emotional customers in a sensitive, tactful and polite manner.
Well-developed communication skills and the ability to use them to inform, develop and motivate staff and work positively with all colleagues.
Able to lead team meetings and briefings.
Able to apply sound judgement and analytical skills to resolve complex or difficult problems or situations.
Able to use IT systems with the highest levels of accuracy.
Confident in applying new IT solutions in response to process change or to improve service efficiency.
Commitment to delivering high quality customer care and meeting the needs of customers.
Good command of written English with the ability to prepare written documents in a clear and legible manner.
Wide knowledge of the Registration Service legislation and regulations
Competent in the use of IT applications and systems and an understanding of the migration of customers to digital forms of service provision
Experience of working with customers in a demanding operational role
Experience of working in the registration service
Experience of providing support and developing staff through coaching
Experience of employing excellent customer care skills to deal sensitively with a wide range of customer enquiries.
Experience of working to tight deadlines, and with competing priorities
Experience of applying judgement and analytical skills to resolve complex problems.
Experience of using a range of IT systems achieving high standards of accuracy
Experience of undertaking DSE assessments or a willingness to undertake such training.
Experience of successfully introducing or implementing change

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Mature judgment, articulate and confident disposition.
A professional approach and presentation
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Knowledge of the latest developments and good practice in the Local Registration Service
Experience of managing or supervising staff
Experience of monitoring, managing and improving individual performance

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