Customer Specialist

Medirest Signature; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading company in public services is seeking Customer Specialists for their Citizen Contact Centre in Colchester. This part-time role involves responding to council service queries and requires strong communication and customer service skills. Benefits include flexible working options, annual leave, and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

26 days annual leave + bank holidays

Access to discounts through Essex Rewards

Health and wellbeing support platform

Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Experience of providing customer service across a large organisation.
• Well-developed working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong telephone manners and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for residents' queries.
• Provide efficient responses via email, telephone, and social media.
• Promote a positive image of Essex County Council.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Typing skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Customer Specialist

Permanent, Part Time

£25,081 pro rata

Location: Colchester

Closing Date: 8th July 2025

Our Citizen Contact Centre team are recruiting 2 Customer Specialists to join their dedicated team We are currently recruiting to the following positions.

• 2x Part Time Permanent 18 hr contracts to be worked over 3 x 6 hr days per week.

As an anywhere worker, you may be able to work from home or remotely most of the time, for certain tasks or limited days or hours. The successful candidates will need to attend the office during the training period, once training has been complete you may be able to work from home and attend the office at least once every 3 weeks. Please note this may change depending on business needs.

As part of our inbound contact centre team, you will be the first point of contact for residents, providing prompt and efficient responses to a variety of council service queries. Your role will be crucial in promoting a positive image of Essex County Council through various communication channels, including email, telephone, and social media.

What's in it for you?

• Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra.
• Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group.
• Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Experience of providing customer service across a large organisation.
• Well-developed working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Teams.
• A strong telephone manner with the ability to communicate well orally and in writing.
• Good typing skills with the ability to work at speed and to criteria accurately.
• Ability to communicate, both verbal and written, in a manner which is easily understood.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and other professionals.
• An empathetic and resilient approach to work.
• A willingness to learn and gain knowledge.

Desirable:

• Experience of receiving calls from the public or working in a Public Sector customer service role would be advantageous.

Interview Details

Interviews will be conducted via an Assessment Day at Rowan House, Colchester week commencing 21/7/25. The layout of the day will be as follows:

• Customer Service assessments from 10am until 12pm.
• Candidates who meet the benchmark on these assessments will be invited to stay for a competency-based interview, which will take place the same day between 1pm and 4pm.
• Interview times to be confirmed on the day for those who meet the benchmark.

We have a target start date for these positions as August 26th 2025, pending successful completion of Essex County Council Employment Vetting.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services