Job Title: Development Officer Starting Salary: £41,511 with the opportunity to progress to £45,718 per annum Hours: 37.0 Location: Hybrid working Contract Type: Fixed Term contract to 31 st March 2026 Directorate: Childrens Services About the team This post supports the county council statutory requirement to deliver the new free childcare entitlements to parents across Hertfordshire. The postholder will support the existing childcare network in Hertfordshire and to build on these networks to ensure that there is sufficient childcare capacity to meet parental demand. This is an exciting time to become involved in Early Years and be part of the roll out of the governments biggest ever childcare expansion of free childcare which will be available to working parents (eligibility criteria apply) of children aged 9 months and over. The postholder will be part of a team who have responsibility for the implementation of the Hertfordshire childcare expansion strategy. About the role Main areas of responsibility: Identify potential childcare providers to expand provision and support their expansion by accessing the capital grants available. Identifying trends in parental take up of childcare and sharing this information with childcare providers. Set up network briefing sessions throughout the county to support childcare providers overcome challenges and sustainability issues - signposting to Business Support and Workforce Development activity. Ensure childcare providers are delivering the new entitlements within the statutory guidance. Working with childcare providers to expand their provision. Communicating what the new entitlements are with parents and encouraging take up. Engaging with stakeholders and seeking their commitment to the childcare expansion programme. About you Essential : Essential that successful candidate have a minimum of 2 years experience of working within the childcare / early years sector. Knowledge of the early years and childcare marketplace. Knowledge of relevant legislation related to the childcare sector. Experience of analysing data. Be able to demonstrate that they have knowledge and experience of partnership working. Be an excellent communicator. Be confident in developing and maintaining relationships with a range of professionals and agencies. Have excellent report writing skills. This role will require travel throughout the county. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with early years / childcare experience and knowledge to support the sector in delivering these new entitlements. This job role is within the Corporate Services, level CORP11 job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles - Corporate services To hear more about this opportunity please contact David Shevlane (Development Manager) on 01992 556199 or via email david.shevlanehertfordshire.gov.uk. Interview Date: TBC Benefits of working for us How to apply As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences. Secondment This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only. Disability Confident We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.