Technical Assistant - Place Services

About the role

Technical Assistant - Place Services

Permanent, Full Time

£25,081 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: Friday 6th March 2026 at 11.59pm

To read more about our business area, please visit: Policy, Economy, Investment and Property

The Opportunity

Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities, and other public bodies. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver sustainable development. The Technical Assistant will work with our consultants to support the delivery of our services.

The post holder will provide a diverse range of technical and administrative support, including undertaking supervised specialist tasks; information and data management; and communications and meetings.

This post will focus on supporting our specialist Arboricultural team but will also provide support to other disciplines and practice management when required. The role provides an opportunity to gain an appreciation of, and experience in, one or more environmental disciplines, with the potential to serve as a route into an environmental career.

The role requires an energetic, self-motivated individual with a good academic background and environmental interests; excellent communication and information management skills; good organisational abilities; a methodical, collaborative and client focused approach; and a keen desire to learn.

Accountabilities

Supporting the operational delivery of our services by completing supervised specialist tasks of limited scope and complexity.
Helping to collect and manage technical information, work records and data.
Supporting the production of high-quality digital outputs, including reports, quotes, bids and tenders.
Assisting specialist teams with the creation of work specifications, purchase orders and invoices using specialist software and systems.
Assisting with the preparation of promotional and learning material, and contributing to website administration, to enhance the recognition and reputation of Place Services.
Contributing to the effective delivery of a range of administrative tasks, including telephone, mail, email and social media communications; managing calendars; note taking and circulating documents.
Supporting the maintenance of a professional, client-focused culture and improved client relationships, developing a commercial awareness of our business, securing performance feedback and building personal knowledge and skills.
Supporting continuous improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

Evidence of experience delivering technical and/or administrative tasks and activities in a business, planning or environmental context, including communications and meeting support.
Experience of managing information and data recording systems and processes, with good attention to detail, and analytical and research skills.
Awareness of wellbeing and H&S, with ability to undertake simple risk assessments, and to implement safe working practices.
Excellent communication, ICT, and presentation skills with proven ability to translate information and data clearly, to different audiences. Able to use common software packages and, with training and under supervision, relevant specialist software such as Adobe Creative Cloud/GIS/AutoCAD, to record and present a range of data.

Desirable:

Educated to RFQ level 2 (GCSE grades A*-C or 9-4) in at least English and maths, or equivalent
Organised and methodical, with good time management skills and the ability to prioritise across a range of tasks and activities, meeting deadlines and delivering required outputs.
Able to establish positive working relationships, to work as part of a team and with awareness of good client service.
Ability to support continuous improvement and innovation to deliver purposeful change.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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Technical Assistant – Place Services