Silver Winner - Early Careers Initiative

Working for Working for Essex County Council

At Essex County Council, challenging work happens every day – on the frontline and behind the scenes. In return for your dedication and talent, you deserve to feel a sense of belonging, involvement and recognition.

We understand that people are at the heart of everything we do, and our employees make our ambitions possible. That is why we invest in our people.

To get real insight into what it is like working at Essex County Council, visit working here.

Benefits – we’ve developed what we hope is a package that resonates with you including but not limited to:

Generous holiday and special leave allowances (including the option to purchase extra holiday).
Local Government Pension Scheme
Life Assurance
Volunteering Leave
Employee wellbeing and counselling
Travel discounts and season ticket loans
Learning and Development opportunities / coaching and mentoring

Visit our Pay and Reward page for more information.

And mostly importantly employee wellbeing is at the head of everything. Our Wellbeing Strategy 2020 – 2025 sets out our vision and aims for employee wellbeing. We focus on four integrated pillars of wellbeing: physical, mental, social, and financial wellbeing. We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our people.

We strive to enable the right environment, conditions, and behaviours so individual and organisational wellbeing is embedded in everything we do.

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Living here

Essex is a unique and remarkable part of the country. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of our newest – Basildon and Harlow. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the right place for your career.

North Essex - From Thaxted and Takeley to Felsted and Finchingfield, the North of Essex is home to many picturesque heritage villages. Less than 50 miles from London, you'll find excellent transport links to Liverpool street, and Stansted airport is on your doorstep.

Central Essex - Right in the heart of Essex, Chelmsford is home to Essex County Council’s main County Hall location, along with a whole host of restaurants, bars and shopping centres, not to mention two of the most reputable grammar schools. With only an hour’s drive to Essex’s seaside towns, and regular trains to London Liverpool Street.

West Essex - West Essex boasts the winning combination of beautiful countryside and excellent transport links into the city. Bordering London and surrounded by Epping Forest, you'll find plenty of leafy walks and traditional pubs to enjoy here. Should you want to escape for a well-earned break, you'll find three airports less than an hour away.

East Essex - The East of Essex is home to towns and villages with fascinating history. From Tillingham to Tollesbury, you'll never be short of traditional pubs to choose from. Walking along the river Blackwater is also a great way to see part of Essex’s hidden coast.

South Essex - With superfast Crossrail links to London, South Essex is the perfect place to work and play. Basildon is home to some conveniently located bars and restaurants, whilst Hadleigh Castle and Lake Meadows are famous examples of the great parks and landmarks that these towns have to offer.

Places to visit

Essex has some seriously popular spots! Here are the top three places that folks just can't get enough of:

Colchester Zoo: This place is like a magnet for animal lovers! With its amazing conservation work and tons of different animals, Colchester Zoo brings in loads of visitors every year. Families and wildlife fans alike can have a blast here.

Southend-on-Sea: Picture this: long, sandy beaches, fun arcades, a lively pier, and Adventure Island waiting for you. That's Southend-on-Sea! It's the go-to spot for day trips or holidays, drawing big crowds with its awesome seaside vibe.

Chelmsford: This town's a hub for all things cool! From awesome shops to places like Hylands House and Estate, there's so much to see. Plus, it's a hotspot for events, like the famous V Festival. Being close to London makes it even more of a hit for locals and tourists alike.

Schools

Essex County Council is dedicated to ensuring that every young person in Essex gets the best education possible, tailored to their needs.

We're responsible for using resources wisely to improve outcomes and value for everyone involved, working closely with schools, families, and partners. We collaborate extensively with over 500 schools and 2,000 settings across the county, aiming to create a sustainable improvement model by encouraging schools to work together.

Our Essex Educational Psychologists offer specialized support to children and young people, especially in areas like autism and mental health.

The Essex Youth Service provides various opportunities and support for young people aged 13-25, including activities, awards, work experience, and assistance for young carers. We're actively working on a program to enhance outcomes and experiences for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aspiring for an earlier, more effective support system.

Over three quarters of Essex’s schools are good or outstanding. But our ambitions go beyond that. We want to make sure every child has the chance for a prosperous future. We’re determined to eradicate the gap in outcomes for disadvantaged children, giving every child the knowledge, support and security they need to seize every chance at success and happiness.

Transport

Transport in Essex is quite diverse, catering to various needs across the county. The road network is extensive, with major routes like the A12 and M25 connecting Essex to London and other parts of the country. Public transport includes a network of buses serving different towns and villages, providing essential connectivity.

Train services are vital, connecting Essex to London, with Greater Anglia operating most of the services. Additionally, there are smaller railway lines and stations linking various towns within the county. Cycling routes and pedestrian pathways have been developed to encourage alternative means of transportation, promoting a eco-friendlier and healthier lifestyle.

We've been actively supporting e-scooter trials, encouraging quicker travel and aiming to decrease the use of cars for short trips.

Ports like Harwich and Tilbury contribute to Essex's transport infrastructure, facilitating trade and travel via ferries and cargo ships.