Coroners Coordinator

About the role

Essex County Council is seeking a committed Coroners Court Coordinator to join the Essex Coroners Service on a permanent, full-time basis. The position is based in Chelmsford at Seax House and works as a fixed-base role, so remote or hybrid arrangements are not available. Part-time and job-share applications may still be considered.

The salary for this post is £25,959 to £26,632 per year. This is an important support role within the Coroner’s Courts, helping ensure inquest hearings run efficiently while also assisting the Coroner and Coroner’s Officers. The role requires strong digital confidence, a good understanding of software tools, and familiarity with digital communication systems.

Benefits

• Support for a healthy balance between work and personal life.
• Access to a broad range of learning and development opportunities.
• IT and home-working equipment provided.
• 26 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• A generous local government pension scheme linked to salary.
• Discounts and offers through Essex Rewards.
• Access to wellbeing support through LifeWorks.
• Up to 4 volunteering days each year.

The role

You will help run the Coroner’s Court during inquest hearings and provide practical support to the Coroner and their officers. The work involves dealing with sensitive and sometimes distressing cases, so resilience, professionalism, and clear communication are essential. You will also act as a point of contact for bereaved families and other parties involved in court proceedings.

Essex Coroners Service performs a vital public function, investigating unnatural or violent deaths, deaths with unknown causes, and deaths occurring in custody or other forms of state detention. The service explains the inquest process to families and other relevant parties. It consists of Coroners, judicial officers, and Coroners Officers, who act as a link between the Coroner and bereaved people while also coordinating with NHS trusts, GPs, funeral directors, pathologists, and other stakeholders.

About you

To succeed in this role, you should be educated to GCSE level and bring strong organisational ability, accuracy, and a methodical approach. You must be comfortable prioritising your workload, meeting tight deadlines, and working sensitively in confidential situations. Confident public speaking and strong IT capability are also important.

Responsibilities

• Support the Coroner’s Court throughout inquest hearings and assist the Coroner and Coroner’s Officers as needed.
• Make sure any court equipment issues are reported promptly to the technology team if they cannot be fixed immediately.
• Manage digital evidence presentation in court, including video-link witness evidence where required.
• Prepare the courtroom for use, ensure recordings are completed and stored correctly, and download handheld recording equipment each week.
• Work with bereaved families, jurors, witnesses, legal representatives, media contacts, and other interested parties to keep them informed and help proceedings run smoothly.
• Support inquest openings when requested by the Coroner.
• Provide cover for jury bailiff duties and reception support when required.
• Carry out simple administrative tasks to help the office operate efficiently.
• Enter and update basic information in the coroner case management system.
• Help maintain a safe court environment, report incidents and near misses, and log building faults or issues with the appropriate contractors.
• Call witnesses as instructed and assist with oaths and affirmations.
• Manage court supplies, order equipment, and keep spreadsheets updated.
• Look for ways to improve court operations and workflow.
• Complete first aid and fire marshal training.
• Manage iPad allocation for Coroners’ Officers and keep allocation records up to date.

Interview process

The selection process has two stages. Eligible candidates will first complete a short one-way video interview. Those who progress will then be invited to a face-to-face interview in August 2026.

Additional information

Essex County Council describes itself as one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic local authorities, serving 1.8 million residents across more than 1,420 square miles. The council is focused on transformation, productivity, innovation, and delivering better outcomes at lower cost.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils across Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. Greater Essex has also been accepted onto the devolution priority programme, with work underway toward a Mayoral Combined County Authority.

The council is a Disability Confident Leader and will interview disabled applicants under its Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments can be discussed during recruitment. Veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements are also guaranteed an interview.

Employees may receive additional support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements, subject to the needs of the role.

All staff are expected to act with integrity and follow the council’s code of conduct and the Nolan principles throughout recruitment and employment.

If the role requires a DBS check, you must register with the DBS update service and keep the subscription active at your own expense. The service helps keep certificates current and allows authorised checks of certificate status.

The council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this responsibility.

For updates on opportunities, blogs, news, and events, candidates may join the Essex Talent Community. For queries about the role, candidates can contact the resourcing team by email.

Social media channels and careers-page resources are also referenced in the source information.

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