Temporary Student Services Advisor - Enquiries in Paignton

Salary: £24,714.00 to £24,811.00 per annum, plus excellent benefits

Contract Type: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Fixed term contract until 30 October 2026

Location: Paignton, Devon

Join South Devon College and play a key role in shaping an exceptional student experience. As a Student Services Adviser, you will be the welcoming face of the College, providing outstanding customer service, impartial information, and practical support to students, applicants, and visitors. Working as part of our busy Student Services Team, you will help guide learners through every stage of their journey, from initial enquiry and application through to enrolment, ensuring they receive accurate advice and a seamless experience.

This is a rewarding front‑line role for someone who is passionate about supporting people, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is committed to delivering inclusive, high‑quality services that help learners achieve their goals.

You will have GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, evidence of ongoing professional development, and experience in a front‑line customer service role. Confident handling enquiries by phone and email, you will take ownership of customer needs, maintain accurate records, and use systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Outlook, effectively.

With excellent communication, organisational and administrative skills, you will be proactive, approachable, empathetic and solution‑focused, able to work independently and as part of a team, manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, and consistently deliver an outstanding customer experience.

Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work‑life balance, and include:

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata of fractional) including the option to purchase additional holiday days
• 1 additional day’s holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday)
• 1 additional day’s holiday for every 5 years served
• Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement
• Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days
• Local Government Pension Scheme Employer pension contributions of 18%
• Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair and beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym and free eyesight tests
• Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes
• Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme)
• On Site Nursery (Mama Bears)
• Employee Assistance Programmes
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Discounted travel schemes

Closing Date: Midnight, Wednesday 26 August 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 1 September 2026

Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College. This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Working at South Devon College, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 25 days pro rata and a strong emphasis on work‑life balance.

The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities. We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning.

Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning.