Apprentice Customer Service Officer
Job introduction
Would you like the chance to start a career in customer service? Plus earn whilst you learn and gain a Level 2 qualification?
You will join our friendly parking team in offering a fair and inclusive service to our customers whilst supported on the Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 apprenticeship to develop your skill and apply your learning in the role.
You will receive all the benefits and opportunities of being an employee of Brighton & Hove City Council, one of the City’s largest employers including flexible working which is supported where possible, local government salary-related pension offered, a child care voucher scheme as well the benefits of gaining staff discounts around the City and through many of the UK’s largest retailers and accessing other services. As an Apprentice you are also eligible to gain an apprentice NUS card and can take advantage of the Catch the bus4work scheme and bus travel discounts with Brighton & Hove buses. See https://www.buses.co.uk/students
Parking Services at the Council are responsible for issuing a large variety of parking permits, blue badges and concessionary travel passes. The teams work with a diverse group of residents and visitors to support them with their travel needs. We are looking for 2 enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals with good communication and teamwork skills to join us in our award winning service. These roles are apprenticeships so you will gain your Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship qualification while working at the Council.
The Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship at level 2 is run by Chichester College Group who is responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments. You will learn all the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard and once you are competent in all these areas, you will take an End Point Assessment before successfully completing. You will receive support from a nominated mentor, throughout the duration of the Apprenticeship.
Our previous apprentice, Lizbeth, recently completed her apprenticeship with a distinction and now has a permanent role at the council and says:
“It was a great opportunity to learn new skills and join a great organisation…. Go for it as this will help to progress your career and allow you to build relationships and skills.”
About the role
Apprentices will gain knowledge in all areas of the apprenticeship standard whilst gaining invaluable experience in the workplace in applying and putting this learning into practice. You will get to know the organisation and its’ systems, build and develop relationships with colleagues and customers, process applications and respond to queries and complaints effectively and work in a team to meet the requirements of the service. This is a large, friendly team who support each other and all work together with a customer focus. The team value apprentices and have experience of supporting them through the programme and into potential further employment, whether in the service or in the wider council.
Delivery will be via online fortnightly workshops, assessor meet/visits every 4-6 weeks, three way review with manager, apprentice & the college every 8-12 weeks, plus other off the job learning during contracted hours.
Hear what our other apprentices have to say by watching this video.
For an informal discussion, please contact
For an informal discussion, Layla Akhgari Blue Badge and Concessionary Travel team on BBCTTeamleaders@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Entry Requirements
Please see the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description for the particular requirements of this role.
Functional Skills
All Level 2 apprenticeships
Apprentices without evidence (a certificate) of Level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to completing training. You will also be required to take an English and Maths assessment prior to a formal offer being made.
For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
Interviews commencing TBA
Start date: TBC
Please note, your application may be shared with the training provider and an informal interview will take place with them to confirm eligibility prior to an offer being confirmed
Please declare your qualifications in the application as this may affect eligibility.
The duration of the apprenticeship will be up to 18 months.
NB. This may be amended should you have any applicable prior learning, and your contract will end on successful completion of the apprenticeship.
As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and provide answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk)) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.
Additional information
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.
Work Permits: This role does not meet the requirement for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Successful candidates will need to evidence that they have the Right to Work in the UK.
We offer the opportunity for the suitable candidate to choose to work in a hybrid way. Your specific working arrangements will be subject to team and service working arrangements already in place alongside Government guidance. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.
For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)
Company information
Encouraging a diverse workforce
Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.
Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).