Overview
Court Usher | 9011 | Permanent Part Time Contract | Variable hours per week | £13.26 - £13.47 per hour | Scale D | Norwich
The County Council is responsible for ensuring that the Senior Coroner has the resources and support to deliver an excellent Coroner’s service for the people of Norfolk. The Senior Coroner and Area Coroners are supported by Coroner’s Officers, who undertake the investigation of cases, administrative staff, and a small team of court ushers. To further support the smooth operation of the service we are recruiting an additional variable hours Court Usher.
Reporting to the Coroner’s Business Manager, you will be supporting the day to day running of the Inquest Court working with the Coroner’s Officers to ensure that the court is prepared and assisting the running of the court during Inquests. You will liaise with all parties at court, bereaved families, witnesses, lawyers, juries, and the press providing information and offering support and guidance.
You will need to be able to deal with the public, during a difficult time for them, sensitively and professionally and be able to use your own initiative to work under minimal supervision. Whilst not in court you will support the running of the Coroner’s Office undertaking a range of administrative tasks, prioritising your workload to complete tasks to strict deadlines. Working confidentially is essential in the sensitive environment of the Coroner’s Service. An ability to deal with distressed members of the public in a compassionate manner along with the resilience to cope with distressing information is required.
Based at the Coroner’s Office in Norwich you will need to attend the Coroner’s Court as required, when there are 2 courts running and also to cover holidays and sickness. This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy team in a key role supporting the operations of the Senior Coroner for Norfolk. Court is booked in advance so notice for the days required will be given however short notice cover may be required in the event of unexpected staff absence.
We are looking for someone to work flexibly on an occasional basis, for either whole or part days as required to cover the court schedule.
Responsibilities
* Support the day to day running of the Inquest Court with Coroner’s Officers to ensure court is prepared and operations run smoothly during Inquests.
* Liaise with all court parties including bereaved families, witnesses, lawyers, juries and the press; provide information and guidance as needed.
* Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism when dealing with the public; work with initiative under minimal supervision.
* Carry out administrative tasks in the Coroner’s Office and prioritise workload to meet deadlines; maintain confidentiality in a sensitive environment.
* Attend Coroner’s Court as required and provide cover for holidays and sickness; support flexible court scheduling.
Benefits
* Competitive salary
* Generous holiday entitlement
* Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
* Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need
* Financial benefits such as:
o Norfolk Rewards discounts program for groceries, clothes, holidays, technology, gym membership, and days out
o A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
o Relocation expenses (where applicable)
o Advance of expenses for work travel
o Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, life assurance, death in service and dependants’ pensions
o Tax-efficient options for extra pension and bikes
o Access to tax-efficient car lease scheme for greener travel (subject to eligibility)
o Referral bonus for hard-to-fill roles
Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here. In your application, please demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.
Redeployment closing date: 2nd October 2025 at 23:59
All other applicants closing date: 9th October 2025 at 23:59
About Us
We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county is a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.
We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.
We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation. We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.
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