At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers, deliver engaging sessions, and help modernise library services.
- Company: Dynamic library service committed to community engagement and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and support for unpaid carers.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team making a real difference in your community.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and a willingness to learn IT skills.
The predicted salary is between 12979 - 12979 £ per year.
Permanent, Part Time £25,959 per annum (full time equivalent)
Location: Halstead
Working Style: Fixed‑base worker
This is a part‑time role, working 18.5 hours per week with the following pattern:
- Thursday 9am – 1pm at Halstead Library and 2pm – 7pm at Sible Hedingham Library (includes 15 min travel time)
- Friday 1pm – 5pm at Halstead Library
- 3 out of 4 Saturdays 9am – 5pm at either Sible Hedingham or Halstead library
Role is split across Halstead & Sible Hedingham libraries, with support for surrounding branches in the area when required. Actual salary earnings based on 18.5 hours per week – £12,979 per annum.
The Role
This role is unique because it places you at the centre of a library service that is evolving, modernising, and responding to the changing needs of each community we serve. You will be based primarily at Billericay Library but work across several locations, giving you a varied experience and a real understanding of how different communities use their libraries. You’ll support customers with borrowing and digital services, help deliver sessions such as Rhymetime, maintain safe and welcoming spaces, and contribute ideas that help us improve and innovate. No two days are the same, and you’ll be part of a team that values creativity, problem‑solving and a proactive, customer‑focused approach.
Key Responsibilities
- You will need empathy, enthusiasm, and a customer‑focused mindset, along with some IT skills (self‑taught or not) ideal for using our self‑service equipment.
- Arranging and conducting Rhymetime, an inclusive session for families with babies and toddlers.
- Ensuring Health & Safety by identifying issues and helping resolve them.
- Helping with promotional activities and generating income ideas that can be rolled out across all libraries.
- Assisting customers to use the library catalogue and learn to use the full library offer.
- Ensuring seamless stock circulation and management, including sorting, shelving, tidying, and handling reservations, fines, and membership activities.
- Using data to analyse customer and staff trends to improve offered services.
- Assisting with unlocking/locking up and acting as a trusted keyholder in smaller libraries.
Experience and Qualifications
We welcome candidates with a diverse range of experiences and qualifications. What we look for:
- Possession of a Driving Licence
- Demonstration of IT skills or the ability to learn them
- Customer service experience in any area
- Confidence in speaking to customers and signposting them to library services and partner organisations
- Enthusiasm and innovative ideas
- Teamwork willingness
Equal Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interview all disabled applicants and veterans who meet the minimum requirements of the role. We also welcome all backgrounds and perspectives, committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve.
Employment Benefits
Once secured, your role includes benefits such as support for unpaid carers, flexible working arrangements and other standard employee perks. DBS checks may be required and, if so, you will be responsible for maintaining the DBS update service subscription.
Customer Services Assistant in Halstead employer: Essex County Council
Join a forward-thinking library service that prioritises community engagement and innovation, offering a dynamic work environment across Halstead and Sible Hedingham libraries. As a Customer Services Assistant, you'll enjoy flexible working arrangements, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in your community while being part of a supportive team that values creativity and customer focus.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Services Assistant in Halstead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the libraries in Halstead and Sible Hedingham! Familiarise yourself with their services and community events. This will help you connect with customers and show your enthusiasm during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Role-play scenarios where you assist customers or handle inquiries. This will boost your confidence and prepare you for real-life situations in the library.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Think of innovative ideas for library activities or ways to improve customer engagement. Bring these ideas to the interview to demonstrate your proactive mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Services Assistant in Halstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight any customer service experience you have. We want to see how you've helped customers in the past and how you can bring that enthusiasm to our libraries!
Be Creative and Innovative:This role is all about evolving and modernising library services. Share any innovative ideas you have for engaging with the community or improving library services. We love fresh perspectives!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the job description. Use similar language and focus on the key responsibilities mentioned. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Customer Services Assistant role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like conducting Rhymetime sessions and assisting customers with library services. This will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role is all about customer interaction, be prepared to share specific examples of your previous customer service experiences. Highlight how you've handled challenges or provided exceptional service, as this will show your empathy and proactive approach.
✨Demonstrate Your IT Savvy
The job requires some IT skills, so brush up on any relevant technology you might use in a library setting. If you have experience with self-service equipment or digital services, mention it! If not, express your willingness to learn and adapt quickly.
✨Bring Ideas to the Table
This role values creativity and innovation, so think of a few ideas you could bring to improve library services or engage the community. Whether it's a new programme for families or a way to promote library events, showing that you can think outside the box will impress your interviewers.
