At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with disabilities and provide frontline advice at the Student Wellbeing Centre.
- Company: Join Heriot-Watt University, a diverse and inclusive community focused on student wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic team atmosphere with a focus on equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in front-line services or administrative roles.
The predicted salary is between 26707 - 30378 € per year.
Description
Grade and Salary: Grade 5 (£26,707 - £30,378, pro rata for part time)
FTE and working pattern: 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE), Maternity cover, fixed term contract until September 2026
Detailed Description: This post plays a key role in delivering front line advice and support to students in the department of Student Wellbeing. You will work alongside Assistant Disability Advisors and the Student Wellbeing Administrator to ensure that a friendly, efficient, and helpful frontline service is delivered. You will carry out administrative work, operating databases and other systems, primarily for the Disability service, and deliver some direct support for a small number of students to facilitate their learning experience.
Key Duties And Responsibilities
- Provide a high level of customer service and front-line advice (face to face, via phone, email) to anyone enquiring at Student Wellbeing Centre reception, linked with main objective of delivering the charter to be welcoming, friendly and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
- Carry out financial processes, raising invoices, purchase order numbers, control department credit card and processing payments for the Disability Service. Update and process data, including financial information, on spreadsheets, databases and other procurement systems.
- Contact new students who have disclosed a disability and provide them with the relevant information and arrange appointments to see the appropriate advisor. Help collate and develop data reporting systems for the Disability Service.
- Carry out initial assessment of students who present with dyslexia and conduct online dyslexia tests.
- Log all student contacts on the database and run reports as necessary ensuring quick turnaround times and an excellent customer experience.
- Provide frontline advice and administrative support for the Student Counselling and Student Experience sections when the other Student Wellbeing Assistant is on leave.
- Support specific students in accessing timetabled lectures, tutorials, group work, laboratories, and related academic tasks
- Undertake continuing professional development as appropriate.
- Undertake other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Student Wellbeing Team
Essential
- Good educational standard with excellent spoken and written English
- Experience in working in front line services, assessing the appropriate response, and providing advice, information, and guidance on a range of issues
- Experience in handling confidential/sensitive information
- Experience of using IT, including Microsoft Office and Finance systems
- Experience in carrying out a wide range of administrative tasks and implementing new processes and ability to handle large volumes of data
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a professional, customer-focused approach with experience of working co-operatively and effectively within a team
- Skills in responding to distressed or challenging customers
- Understanding of the issues that affect students particularly those with a disability or mental health issue
About Our Team
This post is located within the Disability Team, within the wider Student Wellbeing team, and works closely with colleagues from Counselling, Student Experience, and the Chaplaincy teams. The main purpose of Student Wellbeing is to provide advice, information, and support to undergraduate and postgraduate students, throughout the student lifecycle, from the point of initial enrolment onto a university study programme right through to graduation supporting them to overcome barriers to learning.
How To Apply
Applications with FULL CV (and Cover letter) can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Thursday, 25th September 2025.
Shortlisting is anticipated w/c 29th September 2025 and interviews are anticipated to be conducted w/c 6th October 2025.
At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University
Student Wellbeing Assistant in Kilmarnock employer: Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture that values inclusivity and diversity. As a Student Wellbeing Assistant, you will play a vital role in enhancing the student experience while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance in a vibrant academic environment. Join us in making a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a collaborative team atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Wellbeing Assistant in Kilmarnock
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Student Wellbeing team and their values. When you’re at the interview, show us how your skills align with our mission to support students. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! We want to see how you handle challenging situations. Role-play with a friend or family member to get comfortable with responding to distressed students.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the tools we use, like Microsoft Office and finance systems. If you can demonstrate your tech-savviness during the interview, it’ll give you a leg up!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Student Wellbeing Assistant in Kilmarnock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Personalised Cover Letter:When applying, make sure your cover letter isn’t just a generic template. Tailor it to highlight your experience in front-line services and how you can contribute to the Student Wellbeing team. We want to see your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of customer interaction, emphasise your excellent spoken and written English skills. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated with students or clients in the past. We love a good story!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to detail any experience you have with handling sensitive information or working in administrative roles. We’re looking for someone who can manage data and provide support efficiently, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your CV and cover letter reach us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot-Watt University
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Student Wellbeing Assistant inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key duties, especially around providing frontline advice and support. Brush up on your knowledge about disability services and the challenges students face, so you can speak confidently about how you can help.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
This role is all about delivering excellent customer service. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully handled challenging situations or provided support to others. Highlight your communication skills and how you approach sensitive topics with empathy and professionalism.
✨Get Tech-Savvy
Since you'll be using IT systems and databases, make sure you're comfortable with Microsoft Office and any finance systems mentioned in the job description. If you have experience with data management, be ready to discuss it. You might even want to mention any specific software you've used that could be relevant.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.
