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- Tasks: Assist customers in libraries, manage book circulation, and conduct engaging sessions for families.
- Company: Essex County Council is a dynamic local authority serving 1.8 million residents with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a supportive, inclusive environment.
- 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 enthusiasm and a passion for helping others.
- Other info: You'll need to engage with children during interviews, showcasing your creativity and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 12541 - 15049 £ per year.
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Customer Service Assistant, Buckhurst Hill
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Client:
Essex County Council
Location:
Buckhurst Hill, United Kingdom
Job Category:
Other
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EU work permit required:
Yes
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Job Reference:
0323d9efb063
Job Views:
3
Posted:
12.07.2025
Expiry Date:
26.08.2025
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Job Description:
Customer Service Assistant
Permanent,Part Time
£25,081 per annum
Location:Buckhurst Hill
Working Style:
Closing Date: 22nd July 2025
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 for a part time Customer Services Assistant. You will be based at our Buckhurst Hill Library and work across Buckhurst Hill, Loughton and Waltham Abbey Libraries . Please note, this is a part time role working 18.5 hours per week and the pro rata salary will be £12,541 per annum. This role includes Saturday working.
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 – desired.
- 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.
Interviews:
As a Customer Services Assistant, you will be required to work with children to develop and grow our audience in this key area of our business. Part of your responsibilities will be to deliver story and rhyme sessions to groups of parents and toddlers in a library setting.
Therefore, as part of the interview process you will be required to deliver a short 5-minute activity that enables you to demonstrate your ability to engage with children.
This could include reading a short children’s story or sharing a children’s nursery rhyme.
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 . 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.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
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.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join
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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 services offered at Buckhurst Hill Library and the surrounding areas. Understanding the specific needs of the community will help you engage more effectively with customers and demonstrate your commitment during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare a short, engaging activity for the interview that showcases your ability to connect with children. This could be a fun story or rhyme that encourages participation, highlighting your creativity and enthusiasm for working with families.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your IT skills by being ready to discuss any relevant experience you have with self-service equipment or library catalogues. Being able to demonstrate your comfort with technology will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about ideas for promotional activities that could enhance the library's offerings. Bringing fresh ideas to the table during your interview will show your initiative and willingness to contribute to the library's evolution.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant customer service experience and any IT skills you possess. Emphasise your ability to engage with a diverse range of customers, as this is crucial for the role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for working in libraries and helping the community. Mention specific examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past.
Prepare for the Interview Activity: Since you'll need to deliver a short activity for children during the interview, choose a simple story or nursery rhyme that you can present confidently. Practice engaging with an audience to showcase your ability to connect with children.
Showcase Your Ideas: During the application process, think about innovative ideas you could bring to the library's promotional activities. Be ready to discuss these ideas in your cover letter or during the interview to demonstrate your proactive approach.
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 in previous roles to assist customers, as this will demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent service.
✨Prepare for the Children's Activity
Since you'll need to deliver a short activity for children, choose a simple story or nursery rhyme that you can present confidently. Practice engaging with an imaginary audience, using expressive voice and gestures to keep their attention.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Library Services
Research the services offered by Essex County Council libraries. Being knowledgeable about what they provide will help you answer questions effectively and show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the community.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience working in teams. Highlight instances where you've collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, as teamwork is essential in a library setting where staff support each other to enhance customer experiences.