We are recruiting for a Business Support Officer to join a high-profile public-sector organisation on an interim contract. To provide technical and business support to the Housing Adaptations & Grants Team, including but not limited to validation of applications, data entry, system housekeeping, use of financial systems, answering customer enquiries, sending out correspondence and reporting on and collating data.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To respond to emails/letters/telephone calls, take messages, transfer calls and triage general enquiries.
• To input customer requests to service to the service database.
• To respond to customer enquiries in writing as directed by procedures/templates or by a more senior or qualified officer.
• To generate computer reports for responses to Freedom of Information requests or for statistical returns.
• Scan, file, photocopy, collate or laminate documents as required.
• Consult with external agencies to facilitate the functions of the Housing Adaptations & Grants Team
• Input information accurately into databases used to deliver the service. Conduct database housekeeping routines to ensure accuracy of data. 
• Accurately record and process invoices and documents related to the service provision.
• Arrange internal and external meetings, create agendas and take accurate notes of meetings where required.
• Monitor mailboxes.  Ensure officers are aware of content that is appropriate to their needs and process the requests where necessary.
• Support the service to keep the Council’s website up-to-date.
• Process and store customer contacts and business information to comply with Data Protection and associated regulations, Freedom of Information and the Council’s requirements on confidentiality. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of other areas related to the service in order to provide cover for others in the business support team when required.

Person Specification Qualifications/Education/Training

• Literate and numerate to a level at which forms, basic statistics, correspondence and filing systems can be understood and work arising from these can be progressed.
• IT literate and willing to undertake further training in new administrative practices and procedures. Implement training received in computer applications relevant to the Services.
• Experience of working with the public, colleagues and businesses in a professional manner including dealing with vulnerable customers.
• Experience of being a proactive member of a team, supporting colleagues at all levels.
• Experience and good working knowledge of relevant software packages e.g. EXCEL WORD and databases
• Good written and spoken communication skills.  Accuracy and attention to detail if essential.
• Excellent customer care skills including the ability to deal effectively with difficult and demanding customers.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to arrange meeting, taking and producing notes, minutes, decisions and actions, with the ability to accurately capture and distil key points, including technical discussions.
• Ability to understand and retain new systems quickly.
• Self-motivated, able to use own initiative and to work with minimum supervision. 
• Must be able to prioritise own workload to meet changing deadlines.

Key Details:

• Pay: £14.59 per hour PAYE | £18.80 per hour Umbrella
• Location: The Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading (Hybrid)
• Contract duration: up to 12 months

If you are interested in this vacancy, APPLY NOW!