At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the friendly face of our community, helping customers with their enquiries.
- Company: Join Surf Coast Shire Council, where we care for our people and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, career growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diverse workplace culture with social activities and wellbeing programs.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
Permanent Part Time – 4 days a week
$77,056 – $82,206 pa/pro rata (plus 12% super and annual pay increases)
Flexible working arrangements available
Who we are
At Surf Coast Shire Council, we care about our people and our community, and we exist to support both to thrive. Spanning the Traditional Lands of the Wadawurrung People and the Gulidjan and Gadabanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar Nation, our community experiences a sought-after quality of life. When you work with Council, you are helping our community and environment to thrive. We empower our people to do their best and be proud of their achievements. We have a commitment to growth and development and our employees enjoy a contemporary working environment. Our people play vital roles in creating an innovative, safe, respectful, and supportive workplace, living our values, and delivering exceptional services to our community.
Your new career
Be part of the team that creates great first impressions and lasting connections with our community. As a Customer Service Officer, you'll be the first point of contact for our community, assisting customers over the phone and face to face in our busy Torquay Civic Office to access the services and information they need. Every day brings something different as you respond to enquiries across phone and face-to-face channels, solve problems and connect customers with the right people. Working collaboratively across Council, you'll play an important role in delivering responsive, professional service that makes a real difference to our community.
What you will bring to the role
You are someone who enjoys helping people and thrives on delivering exceptional customer experiences. You're approachable, positive and solutions-focused, with the ability to build rapport quickly and confidently navigate a variety of enquiries. To thrive in this role you will have:
- A genuine passion for helping people and delivering outstanding customer service.
- Strong communication skills and the confidence to adapt to a diverse range of customer needs.
- Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong computer literacy with the ability to efficiently use multiple systems and applications simultaneously while assisting customers.
You enjoy working as part of a supportive team, embrace new technology and take pride in getting the details right.
Key selection criteria
Mandatory qualifications, experience and requirements:
- Minimum three years demonstrated experience within a customer service/contact centre environment.
- Experience within a complex customer service environment, including use of computerised cash receipting systems and cash handling.
- Demonstrated ability to utilise a number of Windows based software packages including Microsoft Office.
- A strong cultural fit with the Surf Coast Shire Council’s Purpose, Direction and Approach.
- Experience in a Local Government environment (desired).
- Demonstrated experience using Customer Request Management (CRM) systems, Live Chat and Cloud based telephone platforms.
- Certificate III or IV in Customer Service/Business/Government would be an advantage.
- A current Working With Children Check.
- You have the permanent right to live and work in Australia.
- Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council).
- A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.
What you’ll love working with us
Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life. We recognise that our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community. Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying. There are numerous social activities throughout the year available as well as the benefits of:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee Assistance Program and award-winning staff wellbeing program
- Career development and learning opportunities, we help our people grow
- Purchase of additional annual leave
- Free onsite parking
- Leave loading.
For more information
You’ll find further details about the role, including accountabilities and key selection criteria, in the Position Description on our website.
If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Nikita Connell, Customer Service Team Leader on 5261 0600.
How to apply
Applications are to be in Word or PDF format and should include a:
- A cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in the position.
- A separate document responding to each of the Key Selection Criteria - please do not include your Key Selection Criteria responses within your cover letter.
- A current resume.
Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the key selection criteria will be considered for this position. Simply complete the application process by clicking the "Apply Now" button and we'll be in touch with you shortly regarding your application.
Applications close at 11.59pm Sunday 19 July 2026.
Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer.
Customer Service Officer in Torquay employer: ELMO
At Surf Coast Shire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our people and the community we serve. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements, career development opportunities, and a supportive work culture, we empower our employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact in Torquay. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service and fostering a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Officer in Torquay
✨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 ELMO 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 ELMO and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Officer in Torquay
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 ELMO.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about ELMO 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 ELMO
✨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 ELMO.
✨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 ELMO will surely appreciate.
