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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the first point of contact for residents, answering queries via phone, email, and social media.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, dedicated to serving the community with a positive image.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 26 days leave, discounts, and health support.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in customer service while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong communication skills are essential; public sector experience is a plus.
- Other info: Interviews will be held on an Assessment Day; start date is August 26th, 2025.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Customer Specialist
Permanent, Part Time
£25,081 pro rata
Location: Colchester
Closing Date: 4th August 2025
Our Citizen Contact Centre team are recruiting 2 Customer Specialists to join their dedicated team We are currently recruiting to the following positions.
- 1x Part Time Permanent 18 hr contract to be worked over 3 x 6 hr days per week.
- 1x Part Time Permanent 28 hr contract
Actual salary earning based on 18 hours per week – £12,201 per annum
Actual salary earning based on 28 hours per week – £18,980 per annum
As an anywhere worker, you may be able to work from home or remotely most of the time, for certain tasks or limited days or hours. The successful candidates will need to attend the office during the training period, once training has been complete you may be able to work from home and attend the office at least once every 3 weeks. Please note this may change depending on business needs.
As part of our inbound contact centre team, you will be the first point of contact for residents, providing prompt and efficient responses to a variety of council service queries. Your role will be crucial in promoting a positive image of Essex County Council through various communication channels, including email, telephone, and social media.
What\’s in it for you?
- Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options.
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
- IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra.
- Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
- Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
- Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group.
- Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave.
The Experience You Will Bring
Essential:
- Experience of providing customer service across a large organisation.
- Well-developed working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Teams.
- A strong telephone manner with the ability to communicate well orally and in writing.
- Good typing skills with the ability to work at speed and to criteria accurately.
- Ability to communicate, both verbal and written, in a manner which is easily understood.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and other professionals.
- An empathetic and resilient approach to work.
- A willingness to learn and gain knowledge.
Desirable:
- Experience of receiving calls from the public or working in a Public Sector customer service role would be advantageous.
Interview Details
Interviews will be conducted via an Assessment Day at Rowan House, Colchester week commencing 21/7/25. The layout of the day will be as follows:
- Customer Service assessments from 10am until 12pm.
- Candidates who meet the benchmark on these assessments will be invited to stay for a competency-based interview, which will take place the same day between 1pm and 4pm.
- Interview times to be confirmed on the day for those who meet the benchmark.
We have a target start date for these positions as August 26th 2025, pending successful completion of Essex County Council Employment Vetting.
To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services
Customer Specialist, Colchester employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Specialist, Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Essex County Council's services and values. Understanding their mission will help you align your responses during the interview, showcasing your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills by simulating common scenarios you might encounter in a contact centre. This will prepare you for the assessments and demonstrate your ability to handle various situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Microsoft Office skills, especially Microsoft Teams, as these are essential for the role. Being proficient will not only help you during the assessment but also show your readiness to adapt to the work environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions to ask during the interview about the team dynamics and training process. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Specialist, Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant customer service experience, especially in large organisations. Emphasise your skills in Microsoft Office applications and any previous roles that required strong communication abilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for customer service and your understanding of the role. Mention your ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and how you can contribute to promoting a positive image of Essex County Council.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on your interpersonal skills and your ability to build relationships. Provide examples of how you've demonstrated empathy and resilience in previous roles, as these are essential for the Customer Specialist position.
Prepare for the Assessment Day: Familiarise yourself with common customer service scenarios and practice your responses. Be ready to showcase your typing speed and accuracy during assessments, as well as your ability to handle calls from the public.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Customer Service Basics
Brush up on your customer service skills and be ready to discuss your previous experiences. Think of specific examples where you provided excellent service, especially in a large organisation.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Microsoft Office
Since the role requires a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, make sure you're comfortable using them. Be prepared to demonstrate your skills or discuss how you've used these tools in past roles.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
As you'll be the first point of contact for residents, strong verbal and written communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and consider doing mock interviews to refine your delivery.
✨Show Empathy and Resilience
The role requires an empathetic approach, so think about how you can convey this during your interview. Share examples of how you've handled difficult situations with customers and maintained a positive attitude.