At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage appointments, payments, and customer inquiries in a busy register office.
- Company: Join the Darlington Borough Council team at the Town Hall.
- Benefits: 32 days annual leave, pension scheme, flexible working options, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Fixed hours with opportunities for additional shifts during holidays and sickness.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for the council while helping the community in meaningful ways.
- Qualifications: Experience in public service, strong communication skills, and good IT knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
The Register Office is looking to recruit a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant to join the team. Duties will include making appointments, taking payments, managing wedding bookings, dealing with certificate applications and giving advice to customers on a range of our services including births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, citizenship and copy certificate applications.
The Register Office is a very busy frontline service based at the Town Hall, Darlington and this post is not suitable for home working. You will help customers on the telephone, in person and through our online systems. The Receptionist/Administrative Assistant post is covered by two posts with one post covering Monday and Tuesday and the other post covering Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This vacancy is for 15 hours per week working Mondays and Tuesdays from 08.30 am to 5.00 pm. The hours are fixed with an hours' lunch break. Flexitime does not apply to this post. Additional hours will be available to cover holidays and sickness.
The successful candidate will be a valued member of the team and be an ambassador for the council and the registration service. Experience of working in the register office is required and the successful candidate must have experience of working with the public in challenging situations, applying rules and regulations, taking payments and keeping accurate records. The successful candidate also requires good communication skills and to be able to work both as part of a team and independently in helping the public in some sensitive and challenging situations.
Good IT skills are essential including a good understanding of MS Office particularly MS Excel and experience of using Web Pay, QMatic, Verint and Netcall and Registration systems including RON (Registration Online) and DRS (Digital Registration Service) is also essential.
The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:
- 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
- Flexi-time scheme
- Flexible working
- Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
- Staff equality forums
- Green Car Leasing Scheme
- Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
- Physiotherapy service
- Confidential counselling service
- Great wellbeing offer
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
- Local and National retailer discounts
- Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
- Arriva Employee Travel Club
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant employer: Darlington Borough Council
Darlington Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values its employees and promotes their growth through extensive training and development opportunities. With generous benefits such as 32 days of annual leave, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and various wellbeing initiatives, working as a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant at the Town Hall in Darlington provides a meaningful and rewarding experience while serving the community.
Contact Details:
Darlington Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like Darlington Borough Council and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at Darlington Borough Council and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and Darlington Borough Council.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Darlington Borough Council and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress Darlington Borough Council.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which Darlington Borough Council will surely appreciate.
