Another week, another dubious government position, and this Wednesday we’ve found another recruitment website where these things appear to be lurking – namely pubsectorjobs.net, a site that has thrown up all sorts of non-jobbery.
It certainly seems to be en vogue at the moment for local councils to spend our money promoting/preaching to us about what we put in our bins with a Community Recycling Promoter position being advertised by North East Derbyshire District Council and Waste Management Promotions Officer vacancy in Witney, and though rubbish collection is certainly one of the services that residents value the most, many would resent paying for a ‘door knocking’ campaign designed to ‘raise awareness of recycling’...
In addition, Medway Council are currently hiring for a Kayak/Sailing Instructor but our non-job of the week comes from a company who boast that they ‘work for 28 local councils’:
"Newspaper Designers – Public Sector
£23-25 per hour
We have a number of opportunities for Newspaper Designers across London and the South East. We work for 28 local councils, therefore it is essential that your experience is within a public sector environment.
Initial contracts are 3 months with the potential of being extended after this time.
You will be responsible for:
- the layout and design of their newspaper which maybe weekly or fortnightly
- you will ensure that the publication is produced accurately, to a high production standard and printed on time!
Key accountabilities will be:
- to work with the editor, reporter and advertising manager to ensure the newspaper is designed and sub-edited to tight deadlines meeting the publication's brand values and style guide.
- to work to a page plan ensuring the right stories and adverts appear correctly.
- to source imagery from online libraries etc.
- to liaise with printers to ensure proofs are passed to industry standards.
It would be desirable if you hold a relevant journalistic or PR qualification.
Previous experience of using a range of design software, including QuarkXPress, Illustrator and Photoshop is required.
CANDIDATES WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES EXPERIENCE WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENCE".
Ahh the local council newsletter – a publication we all look forward to and enjoy... But did we know that so many local authorities were contracting in designers from outside firms so that these things look good as they wing their way in to our bins?
Just how many times will residents have to protest that these things are too expensive and surplus to demand? The self-congratulatory articles and glossy appraisals of their many successes are a PR exercise most of us are rather numb to these days. Much better to axe this needless spending and impress us with efficiency savings instead.