Pay and enhancements

We offer competitive salary scales which have been developed so everyone is recognised and rewarded for the contribution they make with the majority of our roles (Green Book) evaluated using our job evaluation scheme which links to our pay and grading structure. 

Our pay scales allow for progression within the grade which is based on either service or competency and nationally agreed cost of living pay awards that are applied annually. 

For some of our roles you will need to work unsocial hours (e.g. waking night duty or bank holiday working). If this is the case you will receive additional enhanced payments of time and a third for designated night duty and time and a half for working on a bank holiday.

Pension scheme 

Local Government Pension Scheme 

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is one of the most generous pensions schemes in the UK. It’s a salary-related, defined benefit scheme and will not be affected by stock market changes or performance of investments. Membership is automatic, unless you choose to opt out of the scheme, and contributions are made by both you and Dorset Council.

Although the majority of Dorset Council employees are eligible to become members of the LGPS, this is dependant on role and terms and conditions group and some may be members of other workplace pension schemes, such as:

Sickness provisions

We support our employees during periods of sickness absence with a generous sick pay provision of full and half pay depending on your length of continuous service (N.B. separate provisions apply to teachers). 

All our employees are fully supported in returning to work following longer term absences, with a period of paid phased return and any reasonable adjustments as advised by our occupational health service.

Key skills recruitment and retention schemes 

For some of our roles, where there is an on-going difficulty in attracting suitable candidates, we offer a one-off generous recruitment and retention payment to new appointments. If this applies details will be included in the advert.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

If your role requires a DBS check, the cost of this and any re-checks is covered in full by us.