Income Collection Officer – SO2

Job Description

Job Category : Revenues / Benefits
Location : Hackney Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £20.06
Hackney is one of the UK’s highest performing local authorities, serving one of London’s best places to live and work. We have achieved a huge amount: our services, our schools, our public spaces are all amongst the very best. We have changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. Bringing jobs and investment into the borough, securing the legacy from the 2012 Games, and making this a place of which we can all be proud.

• Responsible for managing a patch of temporary accommodation accounts to ensure that all monies owed in respect of rent and service charges are collected as efficiently as possible.
• To assist with housing benefit applications where required.
• To make contact with clients, including appointments at the pre-notice and pre-legal stages where there are outstanding arrears.
• To work on the front-of-house counter for Temporary Accommodation income collection queries at the Hackney Service Centre.
• To refer vulnerable clients to support services;
• To identify accounts requiring possession action.
• Responsible for the service of notice-seeking possession.
• To make representations to the Legal Services on cases requiring possession hearings and request warrants as approved by the authorised persons.
• To represent Hackney Council at possession hearings as required.
• Coordinate and attend evictions as required.
• To provide excellent customer service to customers contacting us in person, on the
phone or in writing to maximise income.
• To visit customers in their homes to discuss their accounts and provide appropriate
advice and support.
• To provide customers with basic financial capability advice and signpost to other
agencies as required.
• To work in partnership with other departments and agencies (DWP, JCP, Citizens
Advice etc.) to help customers sustain their tenancy.
• To work closely with the Hostel Managers, Placement Officers, Homelessness Prevention officers, the Lettings team and other colleagues in the housing department to provide joined-up services to customers.
• Maintain accurate records in line with GDPR.
• To maintain a good understanding of welfare benefits and any changes which may
affect customers’ ability to pay.
• To maintain a good understanding of housing legislation in relation to the collection
of income.
• To provide cover for other Income Collection Officers during periods of absence.
• Carry out any other duties that are within the scope and grading of the post which
could also be requested by the line manager or Head of Service.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and the workforce can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.