Careers Portal

How to apply

The essentials

  • Include all the information requested – use the checklist
  • Read the job profile closely – make sure it’s right for you
  • Send your application to recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or post it to Recruitment, Portsmouth City Council, Floor 1, Core 5, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2EP

Make sure you include

  • The job reference number and post title – you’ll find this information on the job advert
  • Your contact details including email and phone number
  • Full employment history including:
    – Employer
    – Employment dates
    – Reason for leaving
    – A short explanation of any gaps in your employment history
  • References, including current or most recent employer. Let us know when we’re able to contact your references – for example, if you want us to wait until after the interview.
  • If you’re applying for a secondment, you’ll need permission from your current line manager releasing you. Include this in your application.

Checklist

  • Job reference number
  • Contact details
  • Employment history
  • References
  • Secondment permissions
  • Why we should consider you for this role
  • Disclosure of relationships statement
  • Criminal convictions
  • Agency worker statement

Additional information

Disclosure of relationships statement

Please include one of the following statements in your application:

  • I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, I am not related to, or in a relationship with, any councillor, or employee of Portsmouth City Council.
  • I declare that I am related to, or in a relationship with, the following councillor or employee of Portsmouth City Council.

Please include the person’s name, role and the nature of your relationship.

Criminal convictions

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 requires applicants to give details of any convictions that are not spent. Failure to disclose such convictions could result in disciplinary action, dismissal, or your application for the applied post being removed. More information can be found on the government website. We may ask you to complete a basic check to verify the information provided on unspent criminal convictions.

If you are shortlisted and invited to interview, you will be asked to complete a form to provide this information.

Agency workers

In line with the agency worker regulations, if you are assigned within Portsmouth City Council as an agency worker, you are able to apply for posts that are open to council employees.

When applying, please include the following information in the subject line of your email or the first page of your application: the agency you work for, the area you are on assignment in and the post reference number

Top tips

✅ Don’t just submit a CV – make sure you include a personal statement to show you’re right for the role too.

✅ All offers of employment are conditional, subject to relevant reference, identify and other checks being carried out.

Why should we consider you?

Make sure you read the ‘Who is the person’ section of the job profile. Use this information to demonstrate why you’re the right person for the job, using specific and relevant examples for each of the points listed.

We receive lots of applications, so well chosen and suitable examples will help your statement stand out.

Submitting your application

Send your application:

  • online (where applicable)
  • by email to recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, making sure to include the job reference number and post title in the subject line. If you don’t receive an automatic reply to your email, your application hasn’t been received.
  • by post to:
    Recruitment,
    Portsmouth City Council,
    Floor 1, Core 5, Civic Offices,
    Guildhall Square,
    Portsmouth,
    PO1 2EP
    Make sure you include the job reference number and post title on the first page of your application.

If you have any questions, contact us at recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

You should also know

Data protection and fraud

Portsmouth City Council will process your personal information appropriately and legally in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the National Fraud Initiative (visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi or information) and other relevant legislation. The details you provide will be held in a secure system or database and will only be shared with other organisations where the law allows.

The Portsmouth Information Sharing Framework – which sets out the conditions under which we will share information with other organisations – is available on our website. The council may share your information with relevant departments to help develop new services or improve existing services. You should be aware that we may be required to disclose your personal information without your consent for the purposes of preventing or detecting crime/fraud or apprehending and prosecuting offenders (for example to the Police, Audit Commission or Department for Work and Pension or as part of the National Fraud Initiatives) or where we have a statutory duty to do so.

Providing false information is an offence and could result in your application being rejected or summary dismissal if you are appointed to the post. In the case of all safeguarding posts, it may also be referred to the police or the DBS.

Job seekers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Please visit UK Visas and Immigration for full details of the requirements of the appropriate Visa.