Receptionist

Brook Street NMR; Bedford; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Receptionist for the Bedfordshire Probation Service. This temporary role involves being the first point of contact for visitors while ensuring the office runs smoothly. Responsibilities include managing visitor access, answering enquiries, assisting with administrative tasks, and supporting safety checks. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office. The position pays £12.21 per hour and requires working Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with one evening shift per week.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience in a criminal justice or customer-facing role is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and log visitors, issue passes, and notify staff.
• Answer calls, emails, and basic enquiries.
• Support building operations including mail and deliveries.
• Handle petty cash and travel warrants.
• Assist with safety and security checks as Fire Warden/First Aider.
• Provide confidential admin support, maintaining sensitive documents.
• Stay alert to safeguarding or risk issues.

Skills

Strong customer service and communication skills

Confident with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Professional, organised, and calm under pressure

Experience in criminal justice or customer-facing roles

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Receptionist - Bedfordshire Probation Service (Temporary)
Employer: Brook Street Recruitment (on behalf of the Probation Service)

📍 Location: Bedfordshire
💷 Pay Rate: £12.21 per hour
⏰ Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5 (with one evening shift per week, 1:00pm-8:00pm)
📅 Contract: Until December 2025, with possibility to extend

⚠️ Please note: Successful candidates will be required to undergo SSCL vetting, which may take up to 6 weeks.

About the Role

We’re recruiting a Receptionist to join the Probation Service in Bedfordshire. This is a frontline role where you’ll be the first point of contact for visitors, people on probation, and staff, while also supporting the safe and efficient running of the office.

Key Duties

• Welcome and log visitors, issue passes, and notify staff
• Answer calls, emails, and basic enquiries, referring specialist queries where needed
• Support building operations: mail, deliveries, stationery/PPE orders, room and desk bookings
• Handle petty cash and travel warrants for people on probation
• Assist with safety and security checks: fire alarms, CCTV monitoring, and act as Fire Warden/First Aider (training provided)
• Provide confidential admin support: updating records, maintaining databases, and handling sensitive documents
• Stay alert to safeguarding or risk issues and elevate appropriately

Skills & Experience

• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Confident with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Professional, organised, and calm under pressure
• Experience in criminal justice or customer-facing roles is desirable

Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.

As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.

Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.

In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.