Working for us

A view of the North Yorkshire countryside next to a picture of two men talking in an office.

Why work for us?

As England's largest county, North Yorkshire's natural beauty is captured in its stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages and market towns, as well as two spectacular national parks. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture.

We are the region's largest employer with a workforce exceeding 15,000 people. Our employees cover a diverse mixture of roles such as legal, teaching, planning, social work and engineering, and we can offer you the opportunity to develop your career. From social care to highways, environment to arts and leisure, our services are regarded as among the best nationally. We are a loyal and committed workforce who are resilient, innovative and stay ahead of the curve.

Our vision

We want to build on North Yorkshire’s natural capital, strong local economy and resilient communities to improve the way local services are delivered and support a good quality of life for all. The council plan 2023-27 sets out our vision, ambitions and priorities for the next four years, as well as the approach we will take to achieve them.

What we look for

We look for innovative individuals who will help us realise our ambition of ensuring that all residents of North Yorkshire have access to live happier, healthier and more independent lives and live in communities that thrive.

Our people strategy 2023-25 outlines our values, behaviours and shared commitment with our staff.

Values, behaviours and ambitions

Find out about our values, behaviours and ambitions.

Further information

Living and Working in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is a thriving county which adapts to a changing world and remains a special place to live and work.

North Yorkshire's natural beauty is captured in its three areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Nature Reserves, stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages, vibrant cities and market towns. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful, thriving and special place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture. North Yorkshire features significantly in the ten best places to live in the UK.

In addition, the county benefits from excellent road and rail links, with easy access to the east coast mainline, the A1(M) and A19. Leeds, York, Newcastle, Durham and Teesside are all easily commutable, and London just two hours away by train.

North Yorkshire offers great employment opportunities for your family members along with great schools, providing the best start in life for our children.

If you are considering relocating to North Yorkshire we provide a comprehensive relocation benefits package, subject to eligibility.

A view of a North Yorkshire town next to an image of two men walking outside wearing high visibility clothing.

Benefits of working for us

You can find out more about the benefits of working for us on our total rewards page.

Benefits include:

flexible working practices including working from other locations and from home
a market-leading pension scheme
generous leave entitlement
retail, travel and leisure discounts and salary sacrifice discount schemes through our Everybody Benefits offer
commitment to staff development and continuous learning
progression and career-enhancement opportunities
access to modern technologies to aid flexible working practices
relocation package and support
as a Mindful Employer, we are committed to promoting and protecting your mental health and wellbeing at work, find out more on the Mindful Employer website
green travel loan scheme which offers interest-free loan towards an annual season ticket to get you from home to work
in addition to in-house occupational health services, preferential rates on a private health scheme are available through payroll deductions
staff who use a computer as a regular part of their job are entitled to a free eye test and potentially computer-specific glasses

We believe in the importance of inclusion, which is why we are always working towards being a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive employer. Find out more about our equality, diversity and inclusion work below.

Three men talking and working in a large kitchen.

Salary sacrifice schemes

We offer salary sacrifice schemes to help you buy important items and help your salary go further by realising tax savings too. This includes:

adding value to your career by studying a professional qualification and benefiting from staff reductions
saving up to 32% against the cost of a bicycle
taking a private lease on a new low-emission car of your choice, fully maintained and insured by the provider
taking a private lease on the latest PCs, laptops, tablets and smart TVs

Staff will enter into a two or three year agreement for monthly salary deductions, which means a saving in national insurance and pension where applicable. Eligibility criteria exist for these schemes.

A man and a woman talking to a girl in a wheelchair.

Diversity and inclusion

At North Yorkshire Council, we believe in the importance and intrinsic value of a diverse and inclusive workplace, and of centring the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in the work we do in the community. Find out more about North Yorkshire Council and equality, diversity and inclusion on the following pages:

A view of a North Yorkshire town next to a picture of five people standing together wearing high visibility vests and smiling.

Our employee networks

North Yorkshire Council has a number of employee networks and as a council, we recognise the value that employee networks bring for both the council, and some of our 13,000+ employees - excluding schools. Our staff networks provide supportive spaces for our employees and are incredibly valuable consultation networks for reviewing and improving the council’s culture, policies and services.

At North Yorkshire Council we are committed to creating inclusive workplace for all of our employees and service users, that values the diversity of North Yorkshire and its residents. We encourage our council employees to join the staff networks, and partake in Network activities, in acknowledgement of the value the Networks can bring, not only to staff wellbeing, but to furthering our progress to becoming a truly inclusive workplace.

Watch this video to find out more about our employee networks.

Value in racial diversity network

The Value in Racial Diversity Network is a space for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority employees working across the council to connect and network, sharing their personal and professional experiences. It also provides a safe space of support for members who may be experiencing difficulties at work, with a focus on improving and promoting positive change and the increased recruitment, retention and advancement of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority employees.

“Being a part of the Value in Racial Diversity Network has been amazing with people from so many different backgrounds and so many similar lived experiences being able to come together to discuss concerns and work together to help shape a better experience for all working for the council.”- Zaheer Ishtiaq, Value in Racial Diversity Network member

“The Value in Racial Diversity Group is a very friendly, safe and open group of colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds which seek to support each other and raise the profile of valuing racial diversity across the council. We consist of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds that are united in seeking to tackle racism in the work place and provide network support across the council to individuals from an ethnic minority background. As an individual from a Pakistani background, the issues that are discussed at this Group are very close to my heart and I am passionate in ensuring that staff from different backgrounds have a safe environment to discuss issues they are facing and providing mutual support to each other. We are actively looking for new members and please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to join this network.” – Barry Khan, Chair of the Value in Racial Diversity Network

"The network provides a great arena for all of us to share experiences and feedback in a safe environment what needs to improve across the organisation in relation to challenges faced by members of ethnic minorities.” – Haroon Rashid, Value in Racial Diversity Network

Disabled employee network

The Disabled Employee Network is a space for those who identify as disabled or have a long-term health condition to connect and network, sharing their personal and professional experiences.

In the Disabled Employee Network, disability is considered in its widest context and includes, but is not limited to, physical disabilities, neurodiversity /specific learning difficulties / learning differences (for example, dyslexia), autism, mental health conditions, chronic health conditions and sensory impairments. The Network also recognise that not all disabilities are visible or permanent.

The Disabled Employee Network also provides a safe space of support for members who may be experiencing difficulties at work, with a focus on improving and promoting positive change, advising on making the council more inclusive of disabled employees and service users, and increasing awareness of issues affecting disabled employees at the council.

"Having a disabled employee network makes me feel that the council recognises that it has disabled employees. We are part of the staff, and we do exist. Having the network allows us to share common experiences (both positive and negative) and, I hope, going forwards, will make the council a better place to work for those with disabilities and health conditions.” – Abi Bubb, Disabled Employee Network member

“Being a member of the Disabled Employee Network enables us to have a voice and change things for the better, not just for ourselves but also for our colleagues with additional needs and disabilities” – Disabled Employee Network member

"All autistic people are different but we are often passionate and curious people who love attention to detail. We are also accepting and less judgmental of others with a strong sense of justice and fairness - often due to previous experiences of being 'other'. Contrary to common beliefs, we often have a great sense of humour and hyper empathy. Diagnosis brings validation and I am becoming more confident in understanding my challenges but also my worth and what I have to offer. My hope is that we see an increasingly accepting world where we all learn to adapt to each other's needs." - Isla Monks, Graduate Trainee Practice Care and Support

Pride employee network

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) Employee Network is a space for North Yorkshire Council who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or queer or questioning to connect and network, sharing their personal and professional experiences. It also provides a safe space of support for members who may be experiencing difficulties at work, with a focus on improving and promoting positive change, advising on making the council more LGBT-inclusive to LGBTQ+ employees and service users, and increasing awareness of LGBTQ+ issues at the council.

"The Pride Employee Network is a space for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or queer or questioning to connect and network, sharing their personal and professional experiences. It also provides a safe space of support for members who may be experiencing difficulties at work, with a focus on improving and promoting positive change, advising on making the Council more LGBT-inclusive to LGBTQ+ employees and service users, and increasing awareness of LGBTQ+ issues at the council.

"We are all on a person journey self-discovery, each and every day… I would encourage people to join the Pride network as a safe space to be, to explore and to learn, about self and others. To encourage more people to embrace our beautiful uniqueness and connect with people who help us to thrive on that sometimes very lonely road…” - Samantha Eblet, Pride Employee Network Member

"As a local authority, the council has a broad diversity not only in the services it provides for the public, but equally in the staff that it employs. The Pride network gives staff an easy pathway for anyone who might want advice, support or just a like-minded group of people to touch base with!” – Tim Townsend Pride Employee Network Member

Gender equality staff forum

The Gender Equality Staff Forum is a space for our employees with an interest in improving gender equality at the council to connect. It also provides a space of support for members who may be experiencing difficulties relating to gender equality at work, with a focus on improving and promoting positive change, advising on making the council more inclusive and equitable, and increasing awareness of issues on gender equality at the council.