Coroners Coordinator

Coroners Coordinator

Fixed Term, Part Time

£25,081 to £25,731 per annum (full-time equivalent)

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Essex Coroners Service is looking for a highly motivated individual to join the team as a Coroners Court Coordinator. This is your chance to play a key role within the Essex Coroner's Service - you will be responsible for supporting the operation of the Coroner’s Courts for Inquest hearings.

This role is offered as a 1 year Fixed Term Contract or Secondment, working 22.2 hours per week (Monday to Wednesday). The pro rata salary for this role is £15,049 per annum.

As an ‘Fixed Base Worker’ position, the role will be based at Seax House, Chelmsford. Remote or hybrid working arrangements are not available for this role.

Benefits:

• Healthy work life balance.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra.
• Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks.
• Up to 4 days per year Volunteering leave.

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found here pay and reward.

The Role:

Essex Coroners Service supports 4 full time Coroners in statutory duties as independent judiciary investigating the unnatural deaths across greater Essex. The service has 5,500 referrals per year and holds over 1,000 inquests a year. It runs up to 3 courts a day hearing inquest with remote and in person attendance, including jury inquests.

You will be responsible for supporting the operation of the Coroner’s Courts for all aspects of inquest hearings whilst they are being held, , supporting all attendees to ensure that the courts run smoothly, as well as providing support to the Coroner and Coroner’s Officers. This Role requires a high degree of literacy and understanding of digital communications to support remote attendees and to troubleshoot issues with court infrastructure.

The role holder will need good communication and engagement skills to support both Coroners and bereaved family members, as well as a high level of resilience as often cases will be disturbing and distressing in nature.

About You:

• Be educated to GCSE Level.
• You will have excellent organisational skills.
• You will be methodical and accurate.
• Be proactive and have the ability to prioritise your workload.
• Be able to work to strict deadlines.
• Be able to work in confidential and sensitive situations.
• Have a high degree of IT skills and understanding of digital communications.
• You will have a confident and clear public speaking voice.

What will you be doing?

• Responsible for attending and supporting the operation of the Coroner’s Court for all aspects of inquest hearings whilst they are being held, as well as providing support to the Coroner and Coroner’s Officers.
• Troubleshooting Court equipment failures and raising issues to support desks in a timely manner if unable to resolve.
• Set up the court iPads, court laptops and arrange the virtual meetings for courts using the video conferencing equipment.
• Ensure management of the digital display of evidence in court including witness evidence by video link when required.
• Ensure the courtroom is prepared ready for use and all inquests are recorded and filed to statutory requirements. Responsible for weekly downloading of court handheld recording equipment.
• Liaise with bereaved families, juries, witnesses, lawyers, press and other interested parties whilst at court to ensure they are fully aware of the processes, keep all parties informed throughout the inquest, and liaise with court volunteers as required.
• Assist the Coroner with Inquest openings when required.
• Provide cover for Jury Bailiff duties and the coroner’s receptionist when required.
• Support the smooth running of the office by undertaking basic/simple administrative duties.
• Updating and uploading basic information onto the coroner case management system (WPC).
• Ensure the courts remain a safe environment for attendees, report any incidents / near misses on the ‘My Safety’ portal. Report building related issues and faults in a timely manner. 
• Call witnesses as directed by the coroner, assist with swearing in with oath / affirmations etc.
• Responsible for court supplies and replenishment, ordering of office equipment and maintaining spreadsheets.
• Identify ways to continuously improve the smooth running of the courts.
• Undertake First aid and Fire marshal training.
• Ensure the smooth running of iPad allocation to coroners officers and maintain allocation spreadsheet.

Why Essex? 

To read more about us please visit:

People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Working for Essex

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

How to apply:

Start your journey within Essex Coroners Service by clicking the APPLY button now!

If you are interested in finding out more about this role or require further information, we would love to hear from you. Please email: work.placements@essex.gov.uk.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.

Additional Information:

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email work.placements@essex.gov.uk

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