At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver top-notch customer service via phone, email, and social media.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority focused on transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and support for career development.
- Other info: Part-time role with remote work options and excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English; customer service experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25959 - 25959 £ per year.
This is an Anywhere Worker position with an expectation for the successful candidate to attend the office in Chelmsford one day every three weeks or as required for training purposes, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation's needs.
Please note this is a part-time position working 18 hours per week. The pro rata salary will be £12,629 per annum.
Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK and is undergoing significant transformational change to further enhance customer focus, service and delivery. As part of this work to promote specialised knowledge, improved service, efficiencies, inform business decisions, put the Customer at the heart of everything we do and ensure an excellent customer journey.
Working as part of a team to deliver effective support and a high-quality customer experience. Supporting a range of services, you will deliver a flexible and agile service across the customer function, actively seeking opportunities to develop skills, capabilities and knowledge. The Customer Specialist will provide advice and support to less experienced staff.
Accountabilities:
- Consistently and accurately work within customer processes and, where appropriate, suggesting areas of potential improvement.
- Deliver an effective, efficient service to customers of Essex County Council, promoting a positive image through email, telephone, social media and letters.
- Provide a clear, concise and timely service to customers, to meet SLA and productivity targets.
- Administer and respond to applications from residents against defined criteria to communicate outcomes.
- Ensure that customers' enquiries are understood and resolved promptly by phone and email.
- Accurately input and interpret a range of data.
- Follow a schedule of work within defined deadlines, highlighting issues of concern as necessary.
The Experience You Will Bring:
- Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) in Maths and English.
- A level 2 qualification in administration, business or customer services or equivalent, or equivalent by experience in customer service.
- Experience of providing customer service across a large organisation.
- Well-developed working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is essential (use of databases is desirable).
- Ability to work at speed and to criteria accurately.
- Ability to communicate, both verbal and written, in a manner which is easily understood.
- Ability to support a wide range of services provided by ECC.
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.
Customer Specialist - Contact Centre, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Specialist - Contact Centre, Chelmsford
✨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 Essex County 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 Essex County Council and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Specialist - Contact Centre, Chelmsford
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 Essex County Council.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Essex County 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 Essex County Council will surely appreciate.
