• Suffolk County Council • Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX, hybrid working • Salary: £24,521 per annum (pro rata for part time) • Hours: 37 hours per week • Flexible working options available • Contract: Fixed term or secondment for 17 months When you join Suffolk County Council as an Apprentice Pensions Assistant, we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you. Reimagine the possibilities. Your role and responsibilities You will be working on the Pensions Helpdesk and will provide first point of contact help and support to our members. This helps the Pensions team provide the customer with the information they need and ensures the team meets its service level agreement with its scheme employers. You will assist in the provision of a proactive, efficient and effective pensions service while being responsible for creating and maintaining accurate records. Your apprenticeship • Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner further information at the following link: Customer service practitioner / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education [https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/customer-service-practitioner-v1-1] • Duration - 17 months We welcome apprenticeship applications from all ages and backgrounds. There's no upper age limit - it's never too late to start developing new skills. We want to provide opportunities for anyone interested in launching or advancing their career. The apprenticeship you're applying for must build on your qualifications. If you have experience in this field, the apprenticeship you're applying for must be at a higher level. Read the Job and Person Profile, see the how to apply section below and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Brochure (pagetiger.com) [https://suffolk.pagetiger.com/apprenticeshipsatscc/2022] they hold a range of information. During the apprenticeship, you'll be working towards the role described in those materials. You will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training and pursue certification. Completing your apprenticeship does not guarantee a full time position, however, we are dedicated to helping you find a job. You will have priority access when you apply for vacancies. This applies during the final 3 months of your contract. You will need * to be able to work to a high degree of accuracy * effective and demonstrable communication, organisational and time management skills * to be friendly and build a good rapport with your customers and put them at the forefront of everything you do. Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report [https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/the-councils-equality-and-inclusion-commitment-to-you] For more information Please contact Kelly Chisnall for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling (01473) 260356 or emailing kelly.chisnall@suffolk.gov.uk [kelly.chisnall@suffolk.gov.uk] If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application. How to apply Step 1 • Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/16231-Apprentice-Pensions-Assistant.docx](Word) Step 2 • Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 • Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/Other-Docs/SupportingStatementTemplate.docx]. Question 1 • Tell us what skills you have learned whilst at school/college, volunteering and/or working that you think will be useful to you in this role and why? Question 2 • Tell us about something you are proud of and why? Question 3 • Tell us about a time you've been really determined to do something, what did you do? What happened as a result? Question 4 • Why are you interested in working in working for our organisation? Question 5 • What are you hoping to gain from this apprenticeship? Question 6 • Using our WeAspire values (see bottom of JPP); tell us about a time or situation when you have demonstrated one of these values? Step 4 • Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk [recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk] or calling 03456 0144 12. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date: 11.30pm, 31 August 20 26. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities. In return, you’ll enjoy: * up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days * membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) * travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits * performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase * training and encouragement to expand your knowledge * a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation * diverse and active staff networks * flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day Plus lots more! If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) [https://careers.suffolk.gov.uk/].