If you want to work for the government and do good for the community, the Portsmouth City Council has jobs in areas like community development, planning, social care, transportation, and environmental services. The council is known in Hampshire for its strong dedication to providing high-quality public services. They often hire people in the city center (around the Civic Offices PO1 area) and in other parts of Portsmouth. If you look into Portsmouth City Council jobs, you’ll find ones that have an effect on people’s daily lives, like making sure the streets are clean and safe and helping locals who need help get it.

Portsmouth City Council jobs range from entry-level to specialized positions. They include administrative, civil enforcement (parking), policy planning, mental health, social work, and top leadership positions. The council hires new graduates, apprentices, workers with a lot of experience, and people with certain credentials or licenses. There is a focus on training, development, and inclusion, and many roles offer help and chances to learn on the job. “Grow with the city and serve with a reason.”

Job Details:

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A brief overview of Portsmouth City Council:

Portsmouth City Council is the local authority responsible for the management of a variety of public services for the city of Portsmouth, which is situated on the south coast of England. It is involved in a variety of sectors, including housing, adult and children’s social care, planning and transportation, environment, leisure, and civic administration. Throughout its history, the council has undergone significant changes in response to the evolving needs of urban areas, such as population growth, environmental challenges, and infrastructure requirements.

Its reputation is founded on its dedication to public welfare, inclusion, and responsive governance, as well as its status as a significant employer in the region. Strengths include the Local Government Pension Scheme for staff, a structured pay/grading system (utilizing the Job Evaluation Support System—JESS), and policies that are designed to ensure impartiality and transparency in the way staff are rewarded and advanced. Additionally, the council enforces a genuine living wage policy for a significant number of its lowest-paid employees.

Qualifications and Abilities:

Having well-qualified, motivated staff is crucial for Portsmouth City Council so that it can deliver effective, fair, and safe services to all residents. Whether the role involves children’s services, enforcement, planning, or support services, meeting professional and ethical standards is essential.

Typical Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Relevant educational qualification or certification – e.g. degree or diploma for professional roles (social work, planning), GCSEs or equivalent for administrative or entry-level roles.
• Professional registration or specialist credentials where needed – for example, Approved Mental Health
• Professional status for certain mental health roles, or planning or social work registration.
• Experience equivalent to role level – Entry-level roles may require minimal experience, but many jobs prefer candidates who have prior work in local government, health or social services, or similar public-facing environments.
• Good communication skills – both written and spoken; dealing with public, colleagues, external agencies.
• Teamwork and adaptability – ability to work flexibly, sometimes across shifts (for instance in social care or enforcement roles), and to respond to changing needs.
• IT skills and familiarity with digital tools – for forms, reporting, correspondence, case management systems.
• Other checks – Depending on the role, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) checks, right to work in the UK, driving licence, or ability to work flexible hours might be required.

Good Salary and Benefits:

Portsmouth City Council aims to offer salaries that are competitive within the local authority/public sector in Hampshire, structured through pay bands and with job evaluation (JESS) to ensure fairness. Their pay policy includes paying the living wage for lower pay bands and matching contributions to the local government pension scheme.

Salary Ranges (Examples in £ GBP/year):

• Entry-level / support roles (Band 5) ~ £25,652 to ~£27,363 Part-time or flexible hours roles often pro rata.
• Mid-level / professional roles (Social Worker, Band 9-10) ~ £37,937 to ~£45,718 Experienced Social Worker higher grades toward top of band.
• Senior roles (Band 12 / 13) ~ £50,787-£68,200+ For leadership / specialist oversight roles.

Benefits Include:

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Living Wage policy for lowest paid roles; aims to ensure fair minimum pay.
• Transparent grading and pay-bands linked to responsibilities via job evaluation (JESS).
• Flexible working arrangements where possible (part-time, flexible hours) especially in support/admin/clerical roles.
• Training and progression paths, including routes into social work via apprenticeships or degree courses.
• Employee benefits such as travel / expenses where applicable; paid leave aligned with public sector norms.

What Is the Process for Applying for Portsmouth City Council Jobs?

Here’s how you can apply for Portsmouth City Council jobs in a smooth, effective way:

• Visit the Portsmouth City Council jobs portal (Search Jobs section on the council website).
• Browse and filter current vacancies by department, band, full-time/part-time, or role type so you find ones matching your skills and interests.
• Create an account or log in to the online application system if required. This lets you upload your CV, cover letter, qualifications, and track your applications.
• Read each job description carefully; note down required qualifications, experience, working hours, and essential skills. Tailor your CV/cover letter to match what the job asks for.
• Submit your completed application form before the deadline, ensuring all sections are filled, documents uploaded, and references included where asked.
• If selected, be ready for potential interviews or assessments. Some roles may require practical tasks, scenario-based questions, or background checks (DBS etc.).
• After applying, monitor your email (and the portal account) for acknowledgments, interview invitations, or any follow-up requests.

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Available Job Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What kinds of jobs are available at Portsmouth City Council?
A1: Positions range widely—from civil enforcement, planning policy, social work, financial assessment, administration, procurement, to senior leadership roles. There are both full-time and part-time roles, permanent and fixed-term.

Q2: Do I need previous experience to work for Portsmouth City Council?
A2: It depends on the role. Some roles require significant experience (e.g. social work, senior officer), while others are entry-level or traineeship/apprenticeship routes. Demonstrating relevant skills or transferable experience helps.

Q3: What qualifications are expected for professional roles (e.g. social work or planning)?
A3: Usually a relevant degree or professional qualification, sometimes registration with a relevant professional body (e.g. Social Work England), and sometimes supervised experience. For planning roles, knowledge of planning law/policy may be essential.

Q4: How much can I expect to be paid?
A4: Salary depends on the band of the job. Entry/support/admin roles might start ~£25,000-£28,000; mid-level professionals £35,000-£45,000; senior / specialist roles £50,000-£68,000+. Exact amount depends on experience, responsibilities, and sometimes market supplements.

Q5: Are there routes for people without full qualifications yet?
A5: Yes. For example, in social care there are roles like Social Care Associate Practitioner, apprenticeships, or “earn while you learn” programmes. If you don’t yet have full qualifications, entry-level roles or apprentice schemes are good routes.

Q6: What is the interview or selection process like?
A6: After application review, you may be invited to interview, which could include competency-based questions or scenario tasks relevant to the role. Background checks (DBS etc.) are likely for roles working with vulnerable individuals. Also, assessment of essential skills listed in the job description.