User-Centred Design Apprentice (Service Designer Level 6) (Full Time) in Chelmsford

Salary: £28,003 – £32,944 per annum + local government benefits

Location: Chelmsford, Essex

Job Type: Full Time fixed‑term apprenticeship (up to 24 months)

Closing Date: 5 July 2026

About the team

Essex Digital Service is helping lead Local Government Reorganisation across Essex, reshaping how services are delivered and building the digital foundations and shared capabilities that make it easier, safer and more joined up for residents and colleagues.

About the role

As a user‑centred design apprentice you will work with a multidisciplinary team to design inclusive services based on real user needs, improving services from end to end and ensuring the user experience and service delivery are aligned.

Accountabilities and responsibilities

• Carry out user research to understand people's needs.
• Map user journeys to illustrate how people experience services.
• Identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
• Design, prototype and test new ideas.
• Share findings and help build understanding of user‑centred design across the council.
• Support the promotion of user‑centred design by sharing learning with colleagues and raising awareness of the diversity of users.
• Create consistent user experiences across services using established patterns and standards.
• Participate in iterative design cycles, gathering feedback and refining designs.
• Plan, facilitate, analyse and document user research activities.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions.
• Communicate user needs, challenges and design concepts effectively to stakeholders.
• Consider both internal processes and external user experiences when designing services.
• Ensure ethical research practice by following consent, privacy and equality procedures.

The experience you will bring

• Entry requirements for a Level 6 Service Designer apprenticeship, including GCSE A‑C/4‑9 in English and Maths.
• Interest in user‑centred design and a desire to develop knowledge and skills in this area.
• Experience recognising problems and opportunities where services could work better for users.
• Experience listening to and gathering users’ views to understand differing needs, experiences and perspectives.
• Experience exploring solutions and improving ideas through trial, feedback and iteration.
• Experience collaborating with others towards a shared outcome.
• Experience building positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, able to explain findings and ideas clearly.
• Digital confidence with standard Microsoft Office and other digital tools.
• Awareness of Government Service Standards, Accessibility Regulations and Information Governance.

Key information

As an apprentice you must have the right to permanently live, work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas. Training providers will assess your previous learning to confirm eligibility; qualifications at the same level or above in a related field are not accepted. Applicants must be able to understand written and verbal instructions and commit to completing the full apprenticeship programme.

Equal and diverse workforce

Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and encourages disabled applicants. Veterans and care leavers meeting the minimum requirements are also invited to apply. All employees are expected to uphold the code of conduct, the Nolan principles and safeguarding commitments.

Contact

For queries, email: resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk