Operations Assistant

**1. Summary of Role**
- We are looking for an **Operations Assistant** who would report to the Operations Controller (who in turn reports to the General Manager).
- This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading charity and social enterprise in a role in which you can develop your career.
- The key purpose of this role is to assist the team to **ensure that all operations are carried out in a safe, professional, and timely manner**. The role forms part of the operations team of ECT, and as such the Operations Assistant will be key to the successful running of the operation.
- You will have particular areas of responsibility to help ensure the successful delivery of day-to-day service delivery, support to frontline staff, operational admin, maintenance and fleet issues.

**2. About ECT**
- ECT in Cheshire (ECT) provides **safe, accessible and affordable community transport **for communities throughout Cheshire West and Chester.
- ECT is also dedicated to supporting and enabling **independent living**, **reducing isolation **and encouraging **social interaction**, especially for **vulnerable people **(such as older or disabled people or those with mobility difficulties who struggle to leave their homes). We also provide group transport to local voluntary, community and social groups.
- ECT in Cheshire is part of ECT Charity, a nationally-recognised social enterprise that creates **social value **through its **charitable activities**.
- ECT is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome all applicants and are happy to make reasonable adjustments during the selection process (and if a position is offered, in employment) if required.
- ECT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and any vulnerable person using our services. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

**3. Key Tasks**
- Assist the Operations Controller to ensure all shifts are covered, with the appropriate vehicle allocation and all due service considerations (including driver hours regulations), whilst achieving operational efficiencies.
- Assist the Operations Controller to ensure effective liaising with representatives of our local authority client transport teams concerning day-to-day operations.
- Ensure measures are in place to respond to breakdowns and other operational issues, to minimise customer inconvenience and maintain service standards.
- Assist the Operations Controller to ensure the performance of drivers and other front-line staff, ensuring quality and safety standards are maintained. Ensuring staff compliance with company policies and procedures as well as regulatory/contractual obligations. This will involve visiting various sites as required.
- Assist the Operations Controller to ensure the performance and workload of the Operations Team, ensuring processes and systems are in place, adhered to and assist in implementing/developing/reviewing these as needs be. Engaging fully with the various software systems.
- Assist with the maintenance programme for our fleet of vehicles (and associated equipment) and scheduled periodic inspections/testing. Ensure ad-hoc maintenance is undertaken as required and maintain strong relationship with our maintenance providers.
- Oversee/undertake health and safety and/or vehicle incident reporting and investigation.
- Assist the Operations Controller to ensure measures are in place to record and monitor the multitude of expiries (licenses, permits, training, inspections, etc.) in an effective way and schedule/undertake timely renewals.
- Assist with overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the office/depot premises.

This Job Description gives a summary of the tasks likely to be involved in this role. Specific tasks will depend on operational need and may be affected by new services, revisions to procedures, etc.

**4. Person Specification**

We are looking for an individual to bring their skills, energy and management experience to the organisation who:

- has excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- has some experience of working with a computer
- has a genuinely caring and friendly attitude
- is able to work as part of a team
- is professional, reliable and has a “can do” attitude
- is organised and has attention to detail
- is able to work in a fast-paced environment
- has some experience of supervising staff
- ideally has transport experience (but not essential)
- good verbal communication skills
- good Microsoft Office skills
- line management experience
- planning and operations experience
- holds a full driving licence with access to a private vehicle

**5. Summary of Terms**
- ** Location**: Junction 8 Business Park, Unit 5A, Rossfield Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 3AS
- **Salary**: Up to £21,000 per year
- **Probationary period**: 6 months
- **Hours**:Predominantly 0830 -1630 Monday to Friday, but some flexibility is required
- **Holiday**: 20 days paid holida