Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. All vacancies at the council are placed on the Hoople website where you can read full details of the role and complete an online application. We ask all applicants to complete an application form, which should refer to your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience in line with the job description and person specification or role profile.

We shortlist against the person specification criteria. In the application form, describe how your skills and experience meet the criteria. This can help you move to the next stage of the recruitment process. To avoid the risk of bias, shortlisting is completed by at least two people and is based on scores relating directly to the person specification.

If you don't see a role that matches what you're looking for right now, please sign up for job alerts. Tell us about the type of roles you are interested in, and we'll notify you if they become available. Do keep an eye on our website as we frequently post new opportunities that you might find interesting.

We have a dedicated recruitment website - Spirit of Herefordshire where you can find out more about what we have to offer and read stories from our amazing staff about what it's like to work here, don't just take our word for it!

Safeguarding

Herefordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Some roles are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the pre-employment checks process. This will be stated on the advert and by the recruitment team if you are sent a conditional offer for a role.

Equal opportunities

Herefordshire Council is an equal opportunities employer. Our recruitment and selection process and practices are based on the principles of providing everyone with the same opportunity. We will give the same information and the same recruitment and selection process to all.

We make reasonable adjustments for candidates that require them. Please let us know when you confirm your attendance so that we can accommodate your needs.

Examples of reasonable adjustments may include hearing loops, accessible software for computer based activities and papers in large print.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.
• Those who indicate that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate that they are a Herefordshire Care Leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

International recruitment

Herefordshire Council holds a Home Office Sponsor Licence, enabling us to support international recruitment where appropriate.

Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are issued in accordance with the specific circumstances of each role and in line with the relevant salary and eligibility threshold requirements set by UK immigration rules.

If you require a certificate of sponsorship, Hoople Resourcing will support you through this process once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) software such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini are powerful tools that can create and review text in ways that mimic what people can do, and we recognise their increasing use in recruitment processes.

These tools can help you enhance your application and prepare for the application process, but it is essential you use them appropriately. They must not be used to provide misleading or false information at any stage of the application journey.

When completing responses related to the skills and abilities, experience and qualifications sections of the application form the council seek an authentic, personal approach as we want to find out about you and how you align with the council and role.

You can use AI in the application process to:

• Help you refine and clarify your ideas and thoughts
• Research public information about the council
• Find out information about trends in industries or professions that you can relate to personal experiences
• Check the spelling, grammar and clarity of what you have written

Do not use AI to:

• Inflate or invent your skills and experiences
• Create generic responses and copy these into your application
• Complete assessments that evaluate personality and abilities such as situational judgement and numerical tests
• Provide an AI tool with sensitive information, figures or personal details about yourself or the council.