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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the friendly face of our Town Hall, assisting visitors and providing essential information.
- Company: Join Peterborough City Council, a community-focused organisation dedicated to serving the public.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible bank holidays, and discounts through Vivup.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing valuable skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and customer service experience are key; IT proficiency is a plus.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds, ensuring an inclusive workplace.
This is a permanent role and is contracted for 20 hours per week
Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including and relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.
All about the Role
Receptionist – Town Hall
Peterborough City Council are seeking a confident, proactive, and organised Receptionist to join our Town Hall team. In this front-line role, you will be the first point of contact for all visitors, staff, councillors, and contractors, ensuring every interaction is handled with professionalism, efficiency, and courtesy.
Main Responsibilities
As the first point of contact for all visitors—including members of the public, contractors, staff, and councillors—you will be responsible for delivering high-quality, accurate information regarding Council services, as well as providing guidance about services offered by partner agencies where appropriate. You will direct customers to the correct departments, facilitating seamless access to the services they need, and proactively assist them in completing forms that enable their engagement with the Council.
Additionally, you will be tasked with verifying essential customer documentation to confirm eligibility for services, always complying with data protection requirements. The role includes managing the booking and sign-in process for visitors and contractors, issuing passes, and adhering to safety protocols. You will also prepare and distribute ID badges and keys to staff and external clients as needed, and manage the Reception mailbox to ensure all queries are addressed promptly and professionally.
Coordinating and overseeing fire evacuation procedures in accordance with Council guidelines will be part of your responsibilities, as well as ensuring daily routines meet Health and Safety standards and reporting any breaches or incidents. You will need to report relevant incidents to CCTV, enforcement officers, and other appropriate parties, and issue parking permits to contractors while maintaining accurate records. Keeping the Reception and other notice boards up to date, both internally and externally, is another aspect of the role.
You may be required to operate from the main reception counter or conduct floor-walking duties throughout the building to meet the evolving needs of customers and enhance service delivery. It is essential that all advice and information provided to customers is in line with current legislation, Council policies, and best practice. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of all reception activities is crucial, as is overseeing the meeting room booking system, particularly for external enquiries, to support the Council\’s income generation efforts. Ensuring all external visitors are correctly signed into the building for meetings or contracted work is also a key duty.
In addition, you will support the Estates and Facilities Management team by assisting with data input and general administrative tasks as required.
All about You
Excellent communication skills and the ability to deal sensitively with people from all backgrounds.
Calm and professional approach to conflict management and problem solving.
Strong IT, organisational, and time management skills.
Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and handle confidential information appropriately.
Experience in customer-facing roles, ideally within a public sector or similar environment, is desirable.
Ability to work flexibly from a fixed reception counter or across the building as needs dictate.
A positive, proactive attitude and a commitment to delivering excellent customer service at all times.
All about our Benefits
We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and local government pension scheme…
Access to a range of benefits via Vivup, including in-store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes
Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro-rata)
Access to car lease scheme
Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth
Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network
Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards
All about our Commitments
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.
We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are disabled and require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact (url removed) we will work with you to meet your needs
Receptionist employer: Peterborough City Council
Contact Detail:
Peterborough City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the services offered by Peterborough City Council. Understanding the various departments and their functions will help you provide accurate information to visitors and demonstrate your proactive approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills, especially in handling difficult situations. Role-playing scenarios where you deal with upset customers can prepare you for the calm and professional approach needed in this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills by preparing examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to maintain accurate records and handle various responsibilities effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the importance of data protection and confidentiality in a public sector role. Being knowledgeable about these topics will not only impress during the interview but also show your commitment to compliance and professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities and skills required for the Receptionist position. Highlight your relevant experience in customer service and any specific software proficiencies mentioned in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. Emphasise your communication skills, organisational abilities, and any experience in a public sector or similar environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your proactive attitude and commitment to excellent customer service. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet the key competencies outlined in the job description.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for the Receptionist role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peterborough City Council
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a receptionist, excellent communication is key. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Practice answering common questions succinctly and politely.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Expect scenarios where you might need to handle conflicts or difficult situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully resolved issues, showcasing your calm and professional approach.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
The role requires strong organisational skills. Be ready to discuss how you manage your time and keep records accurately. Mention any relevant software you are familiar with that can aid in these tasks.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Experience
Since this position involves direct interaction with the public, share your previous customer service experiences. Highlight your proactive attitude and commitment to providing excellent service, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
