Location of Role: Chelmsford
Advert Closing Date: 03/09/2026
Starting Salary: £25,242.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)
Part/Full Time: Part Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Mon-Fri
Weekend/Evening Working: No
Essex Police is seeking a professional, customer-focused and highly organised individual to join our team as a Business Services Assistant – Receptionist. This is a part time permanent position of 25 hours based at Essex Police Headquarters in Chelmsford
As the first point of contact for staff, visitors, contractors and partner agencies, you will play a vital role in creating a professional and welcoming environment while supporting the effective and secure operation of our headquarters. This is a varied and rewarding role that combines frontline customer service, administration, security awareness and organisational support.
We are looking for someone who is approachable, confident and able to remain professional in a busy environment. You will be an excellent communicator with a strong commitment to customer service and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
About the Role
Working within a busy reception environment, you will provide a courteous and efficient service to a wide range of internal and external customers. You will be responsible for managing visitor access procedures, supporting security arrangements, handling enquiries and undertaking a range of administrative duties that contribute to the smooth running of Force Headquarters.
No two days are the same. From welcoming visitors and managing access passes to administering photographic identification cards, monitoring CCTV systems and coordinating supplies, you will be part of a team that helps keep Essex Police operating effectively and professionally.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the first point of contact for Force Headquarters, providing an exceptional customer experience to visitors, contractors and staff.
- Manage visitor and contractor access procedures, maintaining accurate records and supporting building security.
- Respond to telephone enquiries and direct customers to the appropriate department or service.
- Monitor CCTV security systems and assist in maintaining a safe and secure environment.
- Administer petty cash, ensuring accurate reconciliation and audit compliance.
- Coordinate stationery ordering and distribution to support operational departments across the Force.
- Administer the photographic identification process for police officers, police staff and other authorised personnel.
- Support the maintenance of accurate records and databases.
- Ensure reception areas are presented to a high professional standard and comply with security requirements.
- Processing of staff and officers’ leavers pack.
This is an opportunity to become part of an organisation dedicated to serving communities across Essex. You will work within a supportive team environment, develop valuable skills and contribute directly to the professional delivery of policing services.
If you are organised, customer-focused and take pride in providing an excellent service, we would like to hear from you.
Applicants will need to provide evidence of the following essential skills and experience within the reason for application:
- Evidence of good customer service and communication skills.
- Evidence of the ability to plan and organise multiple tasks using effective prioritising skills.
- Evidence of previous administrative duties and record keeping.
- Evidence of good knowledge of Information Technology (intermediate use of Microsoft Office products, Mail, Word, Excel).
In addition, it would be desirable to evidence:
- Knowledge of the Police environment and policy.
What we offer you:
- Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- 24 days annual leave per year (pro rata for part time) increasing with service.
- Discounts at a variety of shops and restaurants.
- Discounted excursions via our Sports and Social Association.
- Access to Health and Wellbeing Services and Facilities.
- Free car parking at Headquarters (available on a first come first served basis).
Successful applicants for this role will be defined as a static worker.
Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the “reason for application” question, within the application form itself. CV’s, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your “reason for application” answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.
Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.
Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.
Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at [email protected] stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.
If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.
As a Disability Confident Leader we:
- Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
- Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.
Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
