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- Tasks: Support customers with enquiries about various Council services, mainly via phone.
- Company: Join Somerset Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, staff discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a diverse and inclusive team.
- Qualifications: No experience needed, just bring excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and great training opportunities await you!
The predicted salary is between 21990 - 24113 £ per year.
Closing in 11 days (5 September 2025 11:59 pm)
Job details
Contract type: Fixed term contract
Working pattern: Full time
About the job
Key information
- This is a busy and highly rewarding role, handling high volume customer enquiries relating to a wide range of Council services.
- The successful applicant will begin their role supporting Children’s, Families and Education and could at a later date be involved in one of our many other services eg Council Tax, Waste, Highways, Registrations, Business Rates, Planning, Housing or Adult Social Care.
- It offers hybrid working, with 1 day per week required in the office (once trained) and the remaining days can be home or office based as you wish.
- Office days will be based in County Hall
- Full-time position (37hrs). Customers can contact us between 8.30-5pm Monday to Friday so, your work pattern will be within these hours.
- Fixed term contract until end of March 2026
What will I be doing?
In this post as a Customer Service Officer, you will be providing ‘front door’ support for customers contacting the Council. Front door support means you will act as the first point of contact for customers needing advice and assistance about any service provided by Somerset Council, which makes it a really interesting role. You will handle each enquiry with care and understanding, offering quality support and guidance before and in lots of cases instead of, transferring the customer to specific service teams. Customers include members of the public, professionals, and councillors.
You will spend most of your time talking with customers over the telephone. But our Customer Service Officers handle multi-channel interactions which can include face to face interaction and digital solutions.
The variety of enquires through to this team is extensive. Some examples include supporting people who;
- are raising safeguarding concerns and reporting those at immediate risk
- are needing advice about starting or moving schools, school meals, school transport or special educational needs
- have questions about free school meals, early years funding, fostering etc
Your day-to-day work will involve:
- Talking to customers, predominantly, by telephone
- Providing excellent ‘person centred’ customer advice and guidance.
- Signposting to services and organisations best suited to the customers’ needs
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
Customer demand for our help continues to grow meaning we are an incredibly busy team, therefore, you’ll need the skills and behaviours to really thrive in this environment.
- Excellent customer service skills including listening, empathy, understanding and kindness.
- Excellent all round communication skills including strong telephone manner.
- Confidence and resilience to handle high volume, sensitive and emotive interactions.
- Good computer skills, confidence to learn new systems and use multiple technologies.
- Enthusiasm to learn about our services, a positive and calm way of working and a problem-solving mindset.
- Professionalism to adhere to process and understand the confidential and sometimes difficult nature of interactions we handle.
- Experience is not essential; however, it will be useful and if you do have experience of any of our services on a personal or professional basis then please make this clear in your application.
We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.
What is in it for me?
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.
We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:
- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
- Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
- Staff discounts in gyms.
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
- My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.
Supporting documents and information
If you would like to find out more about this exciting opportunity before applying, please email Lindsay Johns, Service Delivery Manager Lindsay.Johns@somerset.gov.uk for an informal chat.
The salary for this role is £25,989 – £28,142 per annum
When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.
If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button – we can’t wait to hear from you.
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Customer Service Advisor employer: Jobsinsomerset
Contact Detail:
Jobsinsomerset Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the services provided by Somerset Council. Understanding the various departments and their functions will help you answer customer queries more effectively and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills, especially over the phone. Since this role involves a lot of telephone interactions, being able to convey empathy and understanding clearly will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving mindset during any informal chats or interviews. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully resolved issues or helped others, as this will highlight your suitability for handling sensitive customer interactions.
✨Tip Number 4
Reach out to the hiring manager, Lindsay Johns, for an informal chat before applying. This not only shows your interest in the position but also gives you valuable insights into what they are looking for in a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant customer service experience and skills. Emphasise your ability to handle high volumes of enquiries, as well as your communication skills and empathy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the Council's mission. Mention specific examples of how your skills align with the job requirements, particularly in providing person-centred support.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have any experience related to the services mentioned in the job description, such as education or social care, be sure to include this in your application. It can set you apart from other candidates.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobsinsomerset
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Make sure to highlight your customer service experience during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've handled difficult situations, showing your empathy and understanding, which are crucial for this role.
✨Demonstrate Communication Proficiency
Since you'll be communicating with customers primarily over the phone, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use a friendly tone and ensure you listen actively to any questions or concerns raised by the interviewer.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle various customer scenarios. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and resilience.
✨Research Somerset Council Services
Familiarise yourself with the services offered by Somerset Council, especially those related to Children’s, Families, and Education. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you understand the context of the role better.