At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve customers and ensure a clean, safe café environment at Belhus Woods Country Park.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to community service.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for career development.
- Other info: Driving licence required; enjoy working in a vibrant outdoor environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a beautiful park setting while gaining valuable customer service experience.
- Qualifications: GCSE level education and experience in catering or customer service preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25959 - 25959 £ per year.
Permanent, Part Time
Up to £25,959 per annum (full time equivalent)
Location: Thurrock
Working Style: Operational field-based worker
Please note, this is an annualised hours role. You will be contracted to work a minimum of 625 hours per year on Saturdays and Sundays with the option to pick up more hours as and when required. The pro rata salary for this role will be £8,410 per annum.
Essex County Council are recruiting for someone to work within our visitor centre at Belhus Country Park. Belhus Woods is located within more than 300 acres of beautiful Essex countryside with the visitor centre acting as the hub for visitors for refreshments and information.
The Opportunity
As a Café Assistant, you will provide excellent customer service. You will ensure a clean, safe, tidy environment for customers to buy and consume food and drink within the Cafe based at Belhus Woods Country Park. You will be serving customers and undertaking basic food preparation, in accordance with food safety regulations. You will also be washing up, clearing tables, general day to day cleaning, along with structured deep clean according to health and safety standards. You will be responsible for identifying tasks and ensuring these are completed to a high standard, operating tills and handling cash, and supporting with stocktaking and stock movement to ensure consumables are used and maintained correctly. You will be responsible for complying with all health and safety rules ensuring the proper use and care of protective clothing and equipment.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
- Experience of working within a Catering environment, delivering excellent customer service
- Good communication skills, with the ability to prioritise workload, and work well within a team.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Café Assistant – Belhus Woods Country Park in Aveley employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Adults Social Workers, offering a community-focused work environment in the diverse areas of Colchester and Tendring. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, ongoing professional development, and flexible working options, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to helping individuals achieve independence and live fulfilling lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Café Assistant – Belhus Woods Country Park in Aveley
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Essex County Counci and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Café Assistant – Belhus Woods Country Park in Aveley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Essex County Counci that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Essex County Counci.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Essex County Counci get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Essex County Counci and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
