Investigating Officer - HR & OD

Bridgend County Borough Council; Bridgend; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridgend County Borough Council is seeking an experienced Investigating Officer to manage complex employee relations investigations from planning to conclusion. You will gather evidence, conduct sensitive interviews, and produce structured reports that clearly present findings.

You will present at hearings and ensure decisions are evidence-based and fair. You will work across council services, applying policies and legislation while maintaining confidentiality and neutrality.

Qualifications

• Experience undertaking complex workplace investigations within employee relations.
• Strong interviewing, analytical and report-writing skills.
• Understanding of employment legislation, council policies and good practice.
• Ability to attend in-person investigation meetings and hearings across Bridgend.
• Welsh language ability is a requirement for this post.

Responsibilities

• Lead workplace investigations from planning through to conclusion.
• Gather and critically assess documentary and other evidence.
• Conduct sensitive interviews and maintain confidential records.
• Produce clear, well-structured reports outlining evidence, analysis and findings.
• Present findings at formal hearings to help managers make informed decisions.

Skills

Investigations

Interviewing

Analytical thinking

Report writing

Confidentiality

Data protection

Job description

Bridgend County Borough Council is committed to the highest standards of conduct, integrity and professionalism. We are looking for an experienced Investigating Officer who can bring independence, sound judgement and a fair approach to complex employee relations matters.

Working across a diverse range of Council services, you will take ownership of workplace investigations from initial planning through to conclusion. You will gather and critically assess documentary and other evidence, conduct sensitive interviews, maintain accurate and confidential records, and produce well-structured reports that set out the evidence, analysis and findings clearly. You will also present your findings at formal hearings, enabling managers to make informed and evidence-based decisions.

You will manage investigations objectively and within agreed timescales, applying Council policies, employment legislation and recognised good practice. Throughout each case, you will treat employees, witnesses, managers and representatives with dignity and respect and remain impartial when handling sensitive, complex or highly emotive information.

You will have demonstrable experience of undertaking complex workplace or employee relations investigations, together with strong interviewing, analytical and report-writing skills. You will understand the importance of confidentiality, data protection, procedural fairness and consistency. Calm, resilient and highly organised, you will be able to work independently, manage competing priorities and build professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries and neutrality.

Although elements of the role may be undertaken flexibly, you must be able to attend in-person investigation meetings and hearings at locations across Bridgend County Borough when required.

The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.

Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.

A valid driving licence is requirement for this post.