At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide vital support to bereaved families and manage sensitive enquiries with compassion.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in local government, making a difference during difficult times.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and a solid pension scheme with flexible working options.
- Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting families through challenging moments in their lives.
- Qualifications: Strong customer service skills and experience in administrative roles are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are looking to appoint a Support Services Officer – Bereavement to join our Business Support team, providing a vital, customer-focused service to residents at what can be one of the most difficult times in their lives. You will be the first point of contact for bereaved families, funeral directors and stonemasons, providing advice, guidance and administrative support across Bereavement Services. Working closely with operational colleagues, you'll help ensure that services run smoothly, sensitively and efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Act as the main contact point for bereavement-related enquiries
- Book interments and manage exclusive rights of burial and transfer of deeds
- Provide advice on policies, procedures, pricing and relevant legislation
- Maintain and update electronic bereavement databases accurately
- Process orders, invoicing and income in line with procedures
- Work collaboratively with Bereavement Services, Clean and Green and Financial Support teams
- Support service improvement through smarter, leaner ways of working
Qualifications & Experience
- Experience working in an administrative or support role with a strong focus on customer service
- Confidence working independently and as part of a team, managing sensitive conversations professionally and compassionately
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Attention to detail and accurate record keeping
- Ability to remain calm and supportive in emotionally charged situations
- A positive, flexible and customer-focused approach
- Experience in local government, use of electronic systems, or working with bereavement or frontline services (beneficial but not essential)
- NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or equivalent, in a relevant subject
Employment Details
This is a permanent, part-time role, working 18.5 hours per week across Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, based at Meadowfield Depot.
Benefits
Competitive rewards package including an attractive salary, generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years' continuous local government service) and membership of the contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme. Flexible working arrangements are available, including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.
Support Services Officer - Bereavement employer: Instagram
As a Support Services Officer – Bereavement, you will join a compassionate and dedicated team that prioritises providing essential support to families during their most challenging times. Our organisation values employee well-being, offering a competitive rewards package, generous annual leave, and flexible working arrangements to ensure a healthy work-life balance. With opportunities for professional growth within local government, you will be part of a supportive culture that encourages collaboration and continuous improvement in service delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Services Officer - Bereavement
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values! Research their approach to bereavement services and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with sensitive situations, it’s crucial to convey empathy and professionalism. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to gain insights about the role and the team. They might share tips that could give you an edge in the application process.
✨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 directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Services Officer - Bereavement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Support Services Officer role. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team, especially in providing compassionate support during tough times.
Showcase Your Customer Service Skills:Since this role is all about helping bereaved families, it's crucial to demonstrate your customer service experience. Share examples of how you've handled sensitive situations and provided support, as this will resonate with us.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication is easy to follow and highlights your key achievements relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches us directly and you can easily keep track of your application status. Plus, it’s super simple!
How to prepare for a job interview at Instagram
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Support Services Officer – Bereavement. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like managing enquiries and booking interments. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Empathy and Compassion
Given the sensitive nature of the role, it's crucial to convey empathy during your interview. Prepare examples of how you've handled difficult conversations or supported someone in a challenging situation. This will highlight your ability to remain calm and supportive when dealing with bereaved families.
✨Highlight Your Customer Service Skills
Since this position is customer-focused, be ready to discuss your experience in providing excellent customer service. Share specific instances where you went above and beyond to assist someone, especially in an administrative or support role. This will showcase your commitment to helping others during tough times.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about how you would approach various scenarios related to bereavement services, such as dealing with a distressed family member or managing conflicting requests. Practising these responses will help you feel more confident during the interview.
