At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers and colleagues with complex queries while driving service improvements.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a leading local authority focused on customer service transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work options and a competitive salary, with only one office visit per month.
- Other info: This is a part-time, permanent role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in the community through excellent customer service.
- Qualifications: NVQ Administration Level 3 or equivalent experience; strong MS Office skills required.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 22000 £ per year.
Customer Specialist
Permanent, Part Time
£25,081 to £27,653 pro rata
Location: Chelmsford
Closing Date: 8th July 2025
This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford 1 day per month, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation\\\\\\\'s needs.
The Opportunity
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 and improved service and efficiencies.
Working as part of a team to deliver administrative and support activities, proactively managing workload, taking initiative and using personal judgement to resolve internal and external customer issues.
A strong working knowledge of customer support activities and processes, provided within the function is required. The role will deliver advice and guidance support on local procedures to colleagues.
Accountabilities
- Provide effective, high quality support, advice and guidance to Customer Apprentices and L2 Customer Specialists, in respect of unusual or complex customer work requests.
- Responsible for dealing with more complex and broader, subject knowledge based queries and activities.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, to drive the delivery of productivity and continuous improvement across customer processes.
- Responsible for the delivery of effective communications to customers of Essex County Council, to promote a positive image through written, telephone, face to face, social media interactions and respond within service timescales.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to understand customer needs, resolving them promptly and providing them with a service they value.
- Contribute to continual service improvements, using statistics or other data to determine the level of customer service provided and recommend changes.
- Collate relevant information from a variety of sources to ensure that complex enquiries or customer complaints can be resolved in a timely fashion.
- Responsible for delivering against team objectives to meet deadlines and targets, in support of the wider customer vision.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to NVQ Administration Level 3, or equivalent by experience
- Evidence of acquiring knowledge in relevant area.
- Demonstrable experience and competence of MS Office applications and their practical application, with the ability to use computerised systems with a high level of speed and accuracy.
- Previous experience of operating electronic or hard copy filing systems.
- Experience of delivering workplace based, procedural training to staff.
- Good communication skills with the ability to de-escalate concerns.
Customer Specialist, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council (ECC) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises customer service and employee development. With the flexibility of remote working and a strong commitment to continuous improvement, ECC fosters a collaborative culture where employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their community. The role of Customer Specialist in Chelmsford not only provides competitive pay but also opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a real impact in local governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Specialist, 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, 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.
