Salary: £29,777 to £32,076 per annum
Grade: H
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
Location: Central/Harrogate
Our service
Our Licensing service covers all of the North Yorkshire area with numerous and diverse licensing functions such as Pubs, clubs including large events such as festivals, betting shops, scrap metal dealers, taxis and street trading to name but a few.
Our function is imperative to ensuring safe communities where residents’ lives are not being adversely impacted. The service has a key focus on crime prevention e.g. money laundering, violence, protection of children and vulnerable adults. The Licensing function is not limited to final licensing outcomes and includes ongoing investigations, onitoring, complaint handling, suspension and revocation of licence, prosecution, attendance at tribunals. Members of the team will come across sensitive and often distressing scenarios which need to be dealt with professionally and with empathy for those involved.
The Technical Licensing Officer will deal with requests from customers for advice regarding law and procedure on Licensing matters. They will receive and process Licensing applications, which includes dealing with criminal record checks, right to work checks, sensitive medical checks and liaison with the Police and Children’s Services as well as other statutory bodies. The role deals with consultation with public and statutory bodies and elected members. They will make decisions on whether Licences can be issued to establishments and referring more complex matters to the Licensing Enforcement Officer.
The Technical Licensing Officer will also take and manage financial payments; including issuing invoices and collecting debt, referring non-payment to legal services. The role is also responsible for maintenance and development of the Licensing database. This role is a fundamental element of the Licensing service, involving interpreting complex and diverse range of laws governing all the different Licence types and ensuring that all statutory requirements are complied with. It is also imperative to have an understanding of the consequences of non-compliance with the law e.g. impact on communities, successful challenge, appeal to court, financial or reputational loss for the Council or the Licence holder.
The role
With your team colleagues in a defined geographical area, your duties will include processing and issuing licences and giving technical and legal advice to customers. You will decide when licences are to be issued after confirming that all checks have been made in accordance with Law and Policy. You will report to the Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer. You will also:
- Calculate and raise invoices, deal with debt management, take payments and resolve customer queries regarding fees and charges.
- Assist with the production of guidance notes and application forms.
- Maintain and update web forms, pages and payments.
- Liaise with external bodies and partners where required throughout the Licensing process e.g. Police, Children’s Services, GPs, Border Force.
- Ensure that complaints are dealt with efficiently and sensitively, in line with agreed timescales.
- Maintain knowledge and awareness of over 100 subject specific pieces of law in relation to Licensing, knowing where to seek guidance and further information when required.
- Prepare and carry out analysis of statistical reports e.g. Home Office returns, Gambling Commission returns.
- Keep appraised of all current legislative or technical changes in licensing and ensure that the Council’s core visions and policies with regard to such matters are efficiently and effectively implemented.
Where are the areas and how do they work?
The three areas are based on Parliamentary constituency boundaries and are as follows:
Western – Ripon, Skipton and Richmondshire
Central – Selby, Ainsty, Harrogate and Knaresborough
Eastern – Scarborough, Whitby, Malton and Thirsk
We are looking for a Technical Licensing Officer to be based in Central/Harrogate. Although predominately based in Harrogate you may need to travel between the offices within the area to give demand led support. You will need a full Driving Licence.
What you will bring:
To be successful you must have knowledge of Licensing law, policy and guidance, experience of data management and be confident in using IT systems and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. You will have excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate with a variety of audiences using a variety of skills, be able to keep clear and accurate records, be able to undertake work of a highly complex nature across the broad spectrum of licensing functions and to own and manage issues, enquiries and cases for customers who need support with any relevant enquiries.
What you will get in return:
When you join us, you are entitled to our outstanding benefits and wellbeing plan as part of your position. Our holiday entitlement starts at 28 days rising to 34 days (pro-rata) per year with continued service, plus public holidays. Pension: save for your retirement with our generous local government pension scheme with a 18.5% contribution. Fitness & Rewards: Fitness discounts with various gyms across the county. Stay on top of your game and save £££. Lifestyle Savings: explore a huge range of discounts to help you save money across hundreds of the UK’s favourite high-street and online retailers, plus lots more. Please click on our total rewards link below to find out more.
Contact and Apply:
For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Wan Malachi, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer (Central) on 07525 988 064 or Sharon Cousins, Area Licensing Manager (Central) on 01757 292 033.
Applying is easy, simply register your details and upload your up-to-date CV and please let us know your motivation for applying for this position and what you feel you could bring to the role in the supporting evidence section of the application form.
Key Dates:
Closing Date: 26th May 2024
Interview Date: 3rd June 2024
Supporting Information:
North Yorkshire Council are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.