Revenues Officer LBS-009

Job Description

Job Category : Revenue & Benefits
Location : 160 Tooley Street, Southwark Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £22.15

We are looking for 3 officers to join the Debt Resolution Service within the Income Operations Service.
The aim of the role will be to reduce arrears and influence customer payment behaviours through customer contact, payment negotiation, verification of liabilities / discounts / exemptions, liaising with third parties and taking appropriate recovery action based on the customer individual circumstances.
Candidates require extensive experience with NEC (Northgate revenues) and Council Tax Legislation – Previous experience with Civica Collect (Onestep) is desirable but not essential.
The role is HYBRID and Candidates will be required to attend Southwark offices or surrounding area at least 2 days per week and may be required to make home visits.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To manage a particular caseload in the day-to-day administration, billing, collection and
recovery of Council Tax (an annual debit of £176M), and Business Rates (annual debit of
£320M) and BIDs (annual levy £4M). Interpret and apply the Local Government Finance
Act 1992, relevant regulations and Southwark Council’s own policies and procedures,
ensuring that Best Value indicators on council tax & NNDR collection and debt reduction
targets are achieved for your caseload and that quality assurance frameworks are
established such that accuracy of data is maintained.
To identify and take the appropriate collection action on accounts relating to Miscellaneous
Income & Housing Benefit Overpayments, liaising with service departments in respect of
uncollectable debts.
To seek the most efficient collection routes meeting council and customers’ needs and
influence the implementation of best practice processes in performance and service
delivery so that the team meets its collection targets and supports broader corporate
objectives.

Knowledge, including educational qualifications:
Essential

How
assessed
Extensive knowledge of Revenues including relevant legislation
and regulations.
5 GCSE’s (including English and Maths) or equivalent or work
experience of at least an equivalent level
Experience:
Significant experience of Revenues administration, working
practice and procedures preferably in a delivery role.
Experience of dealing directly with, and advising, members of the
public in a professional manner under all circumstances
Experience of attending and interviewing customers at Court
Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies:
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with
a variety of people at different levels both in and outside the
Council

Ability to co-ordinate, plan and prioritise the workload and meet
deadlines when faced with conflicting priorities
Effective interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy and listening skills to
enable development of working relationships with customers,
colleagues and all stakeholders

Ability to work independently and within teams to meet targets
and deadlines
Ability to provide a customer focused service.
Ability to use computer systems including word processing,
spreadsheets and databases for correspondence, reports and
performance monitoring.

Ability to deal with complex queries whilst ensuring good attention
to details to resolve issues that arise
Effective desk-based investigative skills, which utilise all available
IT avenues to resolve cases successfully.