Office & Reception Assistant - Newport & Carisbrooke Town Council

Job Posted: 15 September 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: SCP 10 - £28,608
• Industries: Administration General Office Public Sector

Appointment of Office & Reception Assistant

Salary: SCP 10 (£28,608 per annum)
37 hours per week
Permanent

Newport & Carisbrooke Town Council is looking to recruit a full-time Office & Reception Assistant to join its friendly team based at 64 High Street, Newport. This varied role combines administration, customer service and community engagement responsibilities. The successful candidate will provide support to the Council's office team whilst also acting as a welcoming first point of contact for residents and visitors, helping promote Council services, facilities, events and community spaces. The role includes bookings administration, communications, website updates, social media, events support and reception duties within the Council's High Street community hub. Applicants should be available for occasional out-of-hours working to support Council events and meetings.

Applicants should have excellent administrative, organisational and customer service skills and be confident using Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams. The successful candidate will be adaptable, approachable and able to work effectively as part of a team.

The post is office based, subject to a six-month probationary period and includes membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Fiona Capewell, Clerk, at [email protected] or call 01983 559119. Application forms are available to download at the bottom of this page and also from our website at newportwight-tc.gov.uk/vacancies

Closing Date: 16^th October 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 26^th October 2026

Newport & Carisbrooke Town Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant.

Office & Reception Assistant – Job Description

Job Purpose

To provide efficient administrative, customer service, reception and communications support to Newport & Carisbrooke Town Council, helping to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of council services. The postholder will support officers, councillors, residents and community groups, whilst assisting with administration, communications, bookings, events and the promotion of Council activities. The role will also act as a welcoming public-facing presence within the Council's High Street premises, helping residents and visitors access information, services and community facilities

Key Responsibilities

Administration and Customer Service

·       Answer telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries from residents, councillors and visitors.

·       Act as a welcoming first point of contact for residents, visitors and community groups attending Council premises, including responding to the office visitor entry system and staffing a reception point during designated periods.

·       Provide information about Council services, facilities, events and community activities, and assist with enquiries, payments, bookings and signposting to appropriate services.

·       Assist with general office administration, correspondence, filing, scanning, document management and record keeping.

·       Maintain Council records and databases.

·       Help promote Council facilities, community spaces and activities whilst maintaining a welcoming and professional reception environment.

Communications and Promotion

• Support the maintenance and updating of the Council website.
• Assist with creating content for social media platforms.
• Design posters, leaflets and promotional material for Council events, projects and services.
• Help promote Council activities and community events.

Council Facilities and Bookings

• Assist with bookings for Council buildings, pavilions and facilities.
• Maintain booking records and respond to enquiries.
• Support the development and promotion of Council facilities.

Community Engagement

• Support initiatives that encourage greater public use of the Council's offices and community spaces.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to improve community engagement and accessibility.

Events Support

• Assist officers with the planning and delivery of Council events.
• Provide occasional support for events at evenings and weekends.

General Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to all members of the office team.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Clerk.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications

• Good standard of education including English and Mathematics.

Experience

• Administrative or customer service experience.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience dealing with members of the public.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent communication skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Good IT skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Attention to detail.
• Friendly and professional approach.

Other

• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service.

Desirable

• Website administration experience.
• Social media experience.
• Experience creating promotional materials.
• Experience working in local government.
• Experience supporting community events.