Temporary Graduate Community Focused Schools and Welsh Language Officer

This document is also available in Welsh.

RCT Council's Graduate Programme 2026

A Graduate Placement with Award-Winning RCT Council is a step towards an excellent career Making A Difference with RCT Council

This is an exciting and challenging time for RCT Council as we continue to provide high-quality services while delivering value for money. The role of local government in shaping the future of local communities is more important than ever. Working in Local Government offers some of the most intellectually stimulating challenges, as we provide services that affect thousands of lives in many different ways.

Maximise Your Potential

RCT Council is preparing to recruit to its Graduate Programme, offering fantastic opportunities to work in a vibrant environment, learn new and transferable skills, meet people from a range of backgrounds and develop a professional career in Rhondda Cynon Taf. All Graduate Officers will be supported to complete either a Level 4 Project Management qualification or job-related technical training (all fully funded) as part of the programme.

Education and Inclusion Services

The Community Focused Schools (CFS) team sits within Education & Inclusion Services and works across schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf to strengthen and enhance collaboration between schools and their local communities. The role sits within the Community Focused School team who form part of the wider Attendance and Wellbeing Service. The team supports schools to develop sustainable partnerships with families, community organisations and services, helping to extend provision beyond the school day and enhance community access to school-based facilities.

Key areas of work include the delivery of capital funded community projects, including the development and refurbishment of community rooms and shared spaces in schools; the coordination and submission of funding bids to support community focused activity; and the implementation of the Community Focused Schools approaches. The team also leads on family and community engagement initiatives, partnership development, and the embedding of Welsh language priorities across community activity, aligned to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and Cymraeg 2050.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a fluent Welsh speaker who is a motivated, enthusiastic and forward thinking Graduate Officer. The candidate should be passionate about making a positive difference to schools, families and communities. This is an exciting opportunity for a graduate at the start of their career to gain valuable experience within local government, working on the Community Focused Schools agenda and Welsh language development.

The successful candidate will have strong communication and organisational skills, a proactive approach to learning, and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, families, community organisations and partner services. Applicants should have a genuine interest in education, community engagement and public service, with the ability to contribute positively to projects that support family engagement, community partnerships and the promotion of the Welsh language. An understanding of, or willingness to develop knowledge of, Welsh education priorities and Welsh language promotion is essential. This role is ideal for a graduate who is keen to develop professional skills in project management, data analysis, communication and partnership working, while contributing to meaningful work that has a real impact on local communities across Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Essential Criteria

A minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area such as Education, Welsh Language, Community Development, Youth & Community Work, Social Sciences or a related discipline aligned to Community Focused Schools.

Fluent Welsh speaker (level 4)

Use of AI Tools

If you decide to use AI tools to assist with drafting, reviewing, or refining your application, make sure that:

• The content accurately represents your own experiences and qualifications
• You can clearly and confidently explain all aspects of your submission
• Your unique perspective comes through clearly

Please visit our website for further information on the use of AI tools: RCT Graduate Platform

Application Form/Competencies

Each competency response must be limited to a maximum of 200 words and your first 200 words for each response will only be considered. Any response exceeding this limit may result in the application not being reviewed or shortlisted.

Staff Benefits Package

• Tailored induction programme
• Ongoing support from a dedicated Graduate Co-ordinator
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Pension Scheme
• 26 days annual leave (Plus bank holidays)
• Financial management scheme
• Subsidised membership fees for Leisure Centres within RCT
• Vivup discount card for businesses

For further information regarding this position, please contact the Employment, Education & Training Team at eett@rctcbc.gov.uk

Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council. In addition to this safeguarding responsibility, the successful applicant for this role will also be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

The Council values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non-binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity. We offer a number of staff networks for employees including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network.

An application submitted for this post in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

In view of the large number of Application Forms which are currently being submitted individual applications are not acknowledged. Consequently if you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application is unsuccessful on this occasion. In which case you are thanked for the interest you have shown in applying for a position within the Council.

In support of the Council’s voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces, the recruiter must always be prepared to ensure that applicants who have identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces including Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists and who meet the essential criteria of the person specification, are offered an interview.