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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers in libraries, manage book circulation, and promote library services.
- Company: Essex County Council is a dynamic local authority serving 1.8 million residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, support for unpaid carers, and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative library experience and make a real difference in your community.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just bring your enthusiasm and customer service skills!
- Other info: This role requires mobility across various libraries and a valid driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 10500 - 13000 £ per year.
About The Role
Customer Service Assistant
Permanent, Part Time £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)
Location: Rochford
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Location: Rochford area libraries
Come and join us in Libraries where we’re starting to reimagine what our libraries are going to be and help our present and future customers have the best experience possible.
We are currently recruiting a Customer Services Assistant based at Hockley Library. This is a part time position working 18.5 hours per week and includes working every Saturday. The pro rata salary will be £12,540 per annum.
This role will be based at Hockley Library and will require travel throughout the local area, you could work at the following Libraries:
- Hockley
- Rochford
- Great Wakering
- Hullbridge
- Rayleigh
Due to the different areas where you may work, the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area.
The Role
You’ll join a service that is undergoing change. Libraries around the UK are evolving to meet the differing demands of our customers. The demands are often different dependent on the location of our Libraries, and this is where your knowledge will be invaluable. You’ll support with book circulation and issuing, signpost customers to different services and be our ears and eyes for what makes the difference to our customers. We want you to feel proud to play your role.
The Opportunity
Our Customer Service team are at the heart of what we do - they are the face of our libraries and our driving force. To join them you’ll need to be confident helping a diverse range of customers, with demands that change daily. We have an inclusive environment – your experience, your age and your perspectives are welcome in our team.
Key Responsibilities
- First and foremost – you like helping people. If you’ve got some IT skills – self-taught or not, that’s ideal. We use self-service equipment, and our customers need your empathy and patience at all times.
- Arranging and conducting Rhymetime, an inclusive session for all families with babies and toddlers.
- Health & Safety is key to what we do. We’d like you to be the kind of person who sees things that need sorting and help sort them out.
- You’ll help with promotional activities – we generate income in all our libraries and value your ideas. Especially ones that can be rolled out across all Libraries.
- Assisting customers to use the library catalogue and learn to use the full library offer.
- Ensure seamless stock circulation and management, involving sorting, shelving, tidying, and handling reservations, fines, and membership activities.
- Data drives us – you’ll help us look at it in different ways, ensuring that we focus on the customer and staff to improve what we offer.
- Our smaller libraries have less staff, so we’ll ask you to help out with unlocking / locking up, and ask you to be a trusted keyholder.
Experience and Qualifications:
We welcome candidates with a diverse range of experiences and qualifications. Here’s a sample – what we’re interested in is if you are brilliant at the basics which include:
- Possession of a Driving Licence
- Demonstration that you know how to use IT systems, or have the ability to learn
- Customer service experience in any area
- Confidence in speaking to our customers and signposting them to Library services, other parts of the Council services and our partner organisations.
- Enthusiasm and ideas
- Enjoy working within a team to make us as brilliant as possible.
We are dedicated to building a team that reflects the diverse community we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Together, let’s create a welcoming and inclusive library experience for everyone.
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.
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.
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 Service Assistant employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific libraries in the Rochford area. Understanding their unique services and community needs will help you demonstrate your local knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your customer service skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully assisted diverse customers in the past. This will highlight your ability to adapt to different situations and meet varying demands.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your IT skills, especially if you have experience with self-service equipment. Being able to confidently assist customers with technology will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Think of creative ideas for promotional activities that could enhance library services. Presenting these ideas during your application process can demonstrate your enthusiasm and innovative thinking.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and qualifications required for the Customer Service Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous customer service experience you have, especially in library or community settings. Mention specific examples of how you've helped customers or improved their experience.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to mention your IT skills, even if self-taught, as well as your ability to work with diverse groups of people. Highlight any relevant training or certifications that demonstrate your capability to perform the job effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalised cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Use this opportunity to convey your passion for helping others and your ideas for enhancing library services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Customer Service
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping people during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to assist customers in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent service.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Library Services
Research the services offered by Essex County Council libraries. Being knowledgeable about their offerings will allow you to discuss how you can contribute to enhancing customer experiences and support the evolving needs of the community.
✨Highlight Your IT Skills
Since the role involves using self-service equipment and library catalogues, be prepared to discuss your IT skills. If you have experience with similar systems, mention it, or express your willingness to learn quickly if you're not familiar with them.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Flexibility
Emphasise your ability to work well within a team and adapt to changing demands. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in the past and how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment in the library.
