Apprentice Bereavement Service Assistant

Summary

We are a busy office delivering excellent customer service to our users and stakeholders. The post holder will work as part of a team and will support the administration across the crematorium and cemetery.

Annual wage: £20,048.08 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8.30am - 4.30pm. Friday, 8.30am - 4.00pm 30 min unpaid lunch break. 20% paid time during working week to complete learning.
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 4 November
Duration: 1 Year 6 Months
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Bereavement Service Apprentice to support our busy office. The role will be varied, and you will work as part of the team to ensure the smooth running of the office, which will result in providing excellent customer service to our applicants and stakeholders.

Main Duties:

You will provide support to customer enquires face-to-face, by telephone, email, or letter
Data input of records into crematorium and cemetery database
Process applications for cremations, burials and memorials
Liaise with stakeholders and advise process
Prepare documents
Learn about the Local Authority and its dedication to public needs.
Work with maps of cemetery and plot/mark graves
Checking new memorials in cemetery
Schedule appointments and services in electronic diary
Participate in staff meetings and take minutes
Educating customers on our services and products
Take electronic payments
Complete outside training to support the department.
Collating outgoing post
Receipting of cremated remains intake and removal
Ancestry searches
Ordering stationery and supplies
Full office support
Learn to multitask and being ready to perform other tasks when required
Create procedure notes and keep them updated

Where you’ll work

Town Hall

Mount Pleasant Road

Tunbridge Wells

Kent

TN1 1RS

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.

Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.

Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.

Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.

Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.

Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.

Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.

Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

Business Administrator Level 3 Standard
On-the-job training with the employer whilst working towards the Apprenticeship Standard
Regular work-based assessments/observations carried out by Kent Training & Apprenticeships Tutor Assessor, to determine competency and meet with Awarding Body standards

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Maths (grade 9-4 (A*-C))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Friendly
Empathy

Other requirements

Interview - We will be interviewing candidates who meet the criteria as they apply and will recruit after a successful interview which may be before the closing date. Reality Check - You will be responsible for your travel expenses to and from your place of work. Therefore, you must have the means to get to your place of work daily whilst waiting for your first wages to be paid. Travel Information - There is a bus stop outside Cemetery entrance. Bus number 285 from Speldhurst to Hawkenbury via Tunbridge Wells Railway Station.

About this company

Local Council with many departments and Bereavement Service is one of the front-line services and works out of the Kent and Sussex Crematorium.

https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Potential for full time employment for the right candidate
Many employers retain apprentices in full/part time positions.
The qualifications you gain can also help you to get into higher education or other employment
Being an apprentice gives you the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification and developing professional skills whilst earning a salary, inside some of Kent’s best companies
Once the apprenticeship has been achieved you will have the skills, abilities, and experience to update and enhance your CV, to make it attractive to potential employers

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Kent Training and Apprenticeships Business Support Team

KT&A@kent.gov.uk

0800 731 4297

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000278814.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 30 October)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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