Reception and Information Officer

Colchester Institute; Colchester; On-site; GBP 6,000 - 8,000; Part time

Job summary

Colchester Institute in Colchester is seeking a Reception and Information Officer to provide a professional, friendly reception and enquiry service for applicants, parents, employers and schools throughout admissions and enrolment for Further Education programmes. The role is 16 hours per week over 38 weeks at Colchester Campus, permanent with fixed shifts.

You will handle front of house duties, respond to enquiries across media, ensure data protection, and support the Admissions, Registration

Qualifications

• Experience delivering a flexible customer-focused support service across multiple channels.
• Experience working in a busy administrative team with competing priorities.
• Proven ability to apply policies and produce accurate documents to a high standard.

Responsibilities

• Provide a first point of contact at the reception, welcoming visitors and handling enquiries.
• Respond to enquiries through various media, offering clear information and guidance.
• Support admissions, enrolment and related processes using college databases and software.
• Keep knowledge up to date on college programmes and upcoming events.
• Assist in processing applications in line with college policy and procedures.

Skills

Customer service

Administrative support

Data protection

Microsoft Office

Telephone handling

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English and Maths (Level 2)

Tools

Database systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join Colchester Institute - Where Your Career Makes a Difference At Colchester Institute, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. As one of the leading providers of education and training in the region, we are proud to offer a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking working environment.

We are seeking a Reception and Information Officer to join our team. In this role you will provide a professional, friendly and customer-focused reception and enquiry service, supporting applicants, parents, employers and schools throughout the admissions and enrolment process for Further Education programmes.

You will respond to enquiries efficiently across a range of communication methods, providing clear and helpful information to support applicants from application through to enrolment and contribute to increasing conversion rates. You will also provide administration and cover support across the wider Admissions, Registration and Examination Services department, while getting involved in large-scale activities such as Welcome Days, enrolment and other events.

Job title: Reception and Information Officer

16 hours per week, 38 weeks per year

Mondays: 13:00- 17:00

Tuesdays: 14:00-18:00

Wednesdays: 13:00-17:00

Thursdays: 14:00-18:00

Colchester Campus

Permanent

About the role

• To provide an excellent customer experience as the first point of contact responding to enquiries, and providing information, from a variety of stakeholders and through a range of media, showing excellent customer service, and positively promoting Colchester Institute; recognising that first impressions count and that the positive impact that is given could be the difference between an enrolment or otherwise.
• To carry out front of house Receptionist duties as part of the role, including welcoming visitors, taking phone calls and operating the switchboard and supporting students and others with other enquiries face to face.
• To provide up to date and accurate information to all enquiries, and in cases where the information is not available take responsibility for the enquiry and see it through to completion, keeping the enquirer fully informed.
• To proactively ensure that personal knowledge and awareness of all aspects of college provision is up to date, including being familiar with all programmes, and as part of the Admission, Registration and Examination Services department be alert to, and aware of, upcoming events and curriculum changes so that knowledge is current and correct.
• To be familiar with all relevant aspects of EBS, to provide support to the wider Admission, Registration and Examination Services department.
• To assist in the accurate and efficient processing of applications in line with college policy and procedures, working with college databases, systems, and a variety of software packages to support processes.
• To work in partnership with the Admission and Curriculum Support Officers to provide flexible support with updating applications, monitoring the completion of funding assessments, making calls to applicants and student, and others, to obtain clarification of or additional information

Essential Experience

• Experience of providing a flexible customer focused support service in a variety of ways, including face to face, by phone and electronic methods
• Experience of working in a busy administrative team environment, managing own workloads and various conflicting priorities
• Excellent experience of following policies and procedures to process information and produce documents / materials to a high standard of presentation, accuracy and speed
• Experience of using database systems and an excellent understanding of data protection and the need to be vigilant in ensuring the sharing of personal data has been authenticated prior to release
• Excellent IT experience, including Microsoft Office products to produce clear and accurate communications, using information from databases and a wide range of communications media
• Experience of providing an empathetic and understanding service while maintaining a calm and diplomatic manner

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum of Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics GCSE 4+ or C and above / CSE Level 1 / O-Level C or above / Level 2 Adult Numeracy or Literacy or equivalent

Why join us?

At Colchester Institute, we value our staff and invest in their growth. Joining us means becoming part of a vibrant community dedicated to excellence in education and training. If you are passionate about making a difference and inspiring the next generation, we would love to hear from you.

We do not engage with recruitment or search agencies unless they have been officially contracted in line with our PSL.