How to apply

How to apply

We want to make it easy to apply for a job with Belfast City Council.

We recognise the recruitment process can be confusing and does vary depending on the employer. To help you, we have summarised our recruitment process below.

To apply for a job with us, you must complete an application form. We do not accept CVs. This is to ensure that all information is presented in the same way, so all applicants are treated fairly. 

Where we advertise

All our jobs are advertised on our website.

Publicly advertised jobs (excluding Chief Officer posts) also appear in the Belfast Telegraph (including NI Jobfinder), Irish News and Newsletter on a fortnightly basis, or, in the Department for the Economy, Jobs and Benefits Office.

Chief Officer posts are advertised on online job boards.

We also post information on externally advertised jobs on our LinkedIn, Facebook and X,com.

You can also sign up to receive emails about new job vacancies.

Complete your job application

We are currently introducing a new online recruitment process.  During this time, candidates will either complete an online application form or download an application form in either Word or PDF format, depending on the post they are applying for.

Applications made through our online recruitment portal

The first time you apply for a job through our online recruitment portal, you will need to register your details

This short video takes you through how to register, complete an online application and submit your application.

You will receive email confirmation that your application has been submitted.

You can keep up to date with your application within your profile section of the online recruitment portal.

Applications made a downloaded Word or PDF form

Application forms can be downloaded from our website in both Word and PDF format. Or, you can request a copy by emailing [email protected].

Completed application forms should be emailed to [email protected].

We can only accept your application as an attachment to your email. Applications submitted as a link to a storage service (such as WeTransfer) will not be accepted.

You will receive an automatic reply when your application has been received. However, while some applications sent by email may be received by the council’s server, some may be filtered for a variety of reasons and may not be sent on to the council’s HR jobs email address. If you do not receive a deliverable message or an automatic acknowledgement within 30 minutes, you must call us on 028 9027 0640 to confirm receipt or your application may not be accepted.

You must confirm receipt before the closing date and time as we will not be able to accept applications which were sent but not received before the closing date and time (not even by one minute.)

Ensure that you retain the original format of the application form at all times. We accept no responsibility for checking forms upon receipt and, or notifying candidates if forms are unreadable or incomplete for technical reasons, or otherwise.

Privacy details

Any personal details that you provide to us will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, as set out within our Privacy Statement. As such, we will only use your data for the purposes that you have given this information for and it will only be shared where necessary.