At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers with various council services, providing advice and resolving queries.
- Company: Braintree District Council is innovative and committed to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, free parking, health programmes, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Part-time role with hybrid working options; fixed term for up to two years.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team, make a difference, and gain valuable customer service experience.
- Qualifications: Must have grades A-C in English and Maths; excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 20800 - 23000 £ per year.
About The Role
Customer Service Advisor - Braintree District Council
Braintree District Council
Fixed Term, Part Time
£25,795 to £28,861 per annum (pro rata)
Location: Braintree
Closing Date: 4th June 2025
Contract type: Fixed term for up to two years
Hours: Part time, up to 20 hours per week
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit this Customer Service Advisor.
The Opportunity:
We have a great opportunity for Customer Service Advisor to join our Customer Services team for a fixed term period of up to two years. This position will be working Monday to Friday, four hours in the middle of each day, to be agreed at interview (example: 10.30-2.30pm or 11.00am-3.00pm, etc.). Working as part of a busy team, you will provide a front-line service to customers and staff – in person, by telephone, email and web. Dealing with the public, you will provide advice, interpret queries and re-route customers across a range of Council services. The Customer Service Centre receives over 150,000 customer contacts a year, across various access channels, and you will be handling everything from arranging a waste collection to processing food voucher requests, as well as taking call back messages for busy departments. At this current time our team is working a hybrid pattern i.e., a mixture of office and home working. The successful candidate will be required to attend the office at Causeway House whilst completing induction training.
Accountabilities:
- Assist customers in accessing services provided by Braintree District Council, ranging from a wide number of subjects such as Refuse & Recycling, Environmental, Pest Control, Bulky Waste Furniture Collections and taking payments.
- Ensure professionalism and high levels of customer service are consistently delivered.
- Own the customers problem or issue, seeking an effective and efficient resolution.
- Encourage customers to use all the facilities provided by the Council and assist them in accessing information and services in the most appropriate way.
- Handle, process and record customers details accurately on relevant IT system for each subject, verify and take copies of original documents, ensuring compliance with Data Protection and Corporate Information Government policies.
- Appropriately signpost customers for non-Braintree District Council related queries, i.e. to a third party or alternative organisation.
- Undertake customer satisfaction surveys as required and assist in identifying potential improvements in working practices and procedures.
- Maintain a working knowledge of relevant systems, procedures and legislation in relation to the services provided.
- Contribute to team meetings and the continuous improvement of the service we deliver.
- Work from a team rota which outlines whether you will be working in our reception area or Contact Centre both based at Causeway House or at home.
The Experience You Will Bring:
We are looking for an individual who is committed to providing a high quality, customer-focused service and will work with customers and staff to achieve positive outcomes. You will have excellent communication and keyboard skills, be friendly and approachable with the ability to work under pressure on your own or as part of a team. Grades A-C, or equivalent in English and Maths are essential.
In return we will offer our Customer Service Advisor excellent benefits including:
- Local Government Pension Scheme Defined Benefit Scheme
- Free Car Parking
- Health and Wellbeing Programme
- Payment of Professional Subscription
- Staff Discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme
- CareerPath
- Flexible working opportunities
Why choose Braintree District Council?
Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative, innovative and forward thinking approach and promote flexible working as part of our fit for the future programme. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it.
If this sounds like the role for you and you would like to join our team then please click here: Customer Service Advisor.
Closing date for receipt of applications: Wednesday 4th June
Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.
If you have any queries regarding submitting an application or require anything further, please email humanresources@braintree.gov.uk
Customer Service Advisor – Braintree District Council employer: Essex County Council
Braintree District Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With benefits such as a Local Government Pension Scheme, free car parking, and a health and wellbeing programme, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Advisor – Braintree District Council
✨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 Service Advisor – Braintree District Council
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.
