At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a Training Dog Support Coordinator and empower colleagues with sight loss.
- Company: Guide Dogs, a life-changing organisation dedicated to helping those with sight loss.
- Benefits: 26 days annual leave, flexible benefits, discounts, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal growth in a collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong interpersonal skills, computer literacy, and a proactive, person-centred approach.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Guide Dogs - Be Part of Something Life‑Changing
Come and join us as a motivated and thoughtful Access Assistant and be part of something life‑changing - helping people with sight loss live the life they choose. As an Access Assistant at Guide Dogs, you’ll provide essential practical and person‑centred support to a Training Dog Support Coordinator (TDSC), enabling them to work, travel and carry out their role confidently, independently and effectively. The Access Assistant will be an expert in employee empowerment, supporting our employee to thrive in the workplace. Our Access Assistants play a huge part in ensuring everything we do enables us to deliver on our purpose and exceed expectations. This role will be based at our Redbridge office. You’ll be working 21 hours per week, worked Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5.
Key Responsibilities
- Making phone calls on behalf of the TDSC
- Creating and maintenance of data and spreadsheets
- Taking minutes in meetings and collating for future use
- Supporting with some offsite activities to recruit new fosterers
You
You’ll have a person‑centred and proactive approach to providing tailored one‑to‑one support, adapting to individual needs and working styles. You’ll enjoy working in a close, collaborative one‑to‑one environment, building trust and strong working relationships, with a dedicated focus on enabling independence and effective performance. You’ll be committed to delivering high‑quality support that empowers the colleague you support to succeed. You’ll act with integrity and honesty in everything you do.
Skills and Competencies
- Evidence of dealing with confidential issues sensitively and with total integrity.
- Positive, team player, flexible and thorough in ways of working.
- Proven ability to use initiative and able to work effectively under pressure.
- Good interpersonal skills are essential as the role will require a close working relationship with the person being supported.
- Computer literate with a good knowledge of all Microsoft Office packages.
We wouldn’t be able to change the lives of people with sight loss without our people. That’s why it’s important for us to provide a variety of benefits that reward our colleagues in a way that suits them and recognises the hard work and contribution that they make.
- 26 days annual leave. After three years of continuous employment, this increases to 28 days plus bank holidays.
- Real Living Wage Employer
- Flex pot - equal to a proportion of your annual salary to use on our wide variety of flexible benefits
- The option to buy and sell annual leave
- Discounts and cash‑back scheme
- Excellent pension scheme (We will match your pension contributions plus 2% up to a maximum of 9% employer contribution)
- And lots more!
For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.
Employee Assistant in Essex employer: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both its employees and the dogs in their care. Located in the picturesque Royal Leamington Spa, the National Breeding Centre provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside generous benefits such as 26 days of annual leave and a flexible benefits pot, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about animal welfare.
Contact Details:
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Assistant in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Guide Dogs. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about how your skills align with the Access Assistant role and be ready to share examples of your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the cause! When you talk about your motivation to help people with sight loss, it’ll resonate with the team at Guide Dogs and set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Assistant in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Access Assistant role. We want to see how you can empower others and support them effectively, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Show Your Person-Centred Approach:In your written application, emphasise your person-centred approach. Share examples of how you've adapted your support to meet individual needs in previous roles. This will show us that you understand the importance of tailored support.
Be Honest and Authentic:We value integrity and honesty at StudySmarter, so be yourself in your application. Share your genuine motivations for wanting to join Guide Dogs and how you can contribute to making a difference in the lives of those with sight loss.
Proofread Before Submitting:Before hitting send, take a moment to proofread your application. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so let’s make sure everything is polished and professional. A clean application shows attention to detail, which is key for this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of an Access Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they contribute to empowering employees. This will help you articulate your understanding and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
Since this role requires strong interpersonal skills, be prepared to share examples of how you've built trust and strong working relationships in previous roles. Think of specific situations where you adapted your approach to meet individual needs, as this aligns perfectly with what Guide Dogs is looking for.
✨Demonstrate Your Initiative
The ability to use initiative is crucial for this position. Prepare to discuss times when you've taken the lead on a project or solved a problem independently. Highlighting your proactive nature will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you're ready to support the TDSC effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle confidential issues and work under pressure. Practice responding to these types of questions by thinking through how you would approach various challenges in the role, ensuring you emphasise your integrity and thoroughness.
