Ombudsman & Compensation Assistant in Birmingham

Ombudsman & Compensation Assistant in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 28598 - 34434 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Birmingham City Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assess and manage resident compensation claims with empathy and attention to detail.
  • Company: Join Birmingham City Council, a leader in community service and support.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and commitment to employee development.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives by ensuring fairness and respect.
  • Qualifications: Experience in decision-making and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 28598 - 34434 £ per year.

Permanent Grade B - £28,598 to £34,434 per annum

Working 36.50 hours per week

About the Role

We are looking for passionate, resident-focused individuals who are motivated to ensure residents receive what they are entitled to. As a social landlord of over 55,000 units, we understand that issues may arise from time to time. We seek officers who are dedicated to managing complaints properly, ensuring residents are compensated based on their experiences, and committed to rectifying issues. This role is vital in treating all residents with fairness and respect.

This is a key role responsible for assessing compensation requests from residents and ensuring appropriate remedies are delivered in a fair, timely, and empathetic manner. You will play an important part in supporting the Council’s commitment to fairness, respect, and service improvement by managing compensation claims, including those directed by the Ombudsman and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. This role involves hybrid working, with on-site attendance subject to service needs.

If you think this sounds like you and are keen to be part of the solution for residents, we look forward to receiving your application.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assess and respond to resident compensation claims with clear, evidence-based decisions.
  • Ensure compensation payments directed by regulatory bodies are made accurately and within required timescales.
  • Provide a high standard of customer service, acting sensitively in situations involving resident distress or inconvenience.
  • Manage a caseload of compensation cases, maintaining accurate records of decisions and communications.
  • Work collaboratively with operational and corporate colleagues to gather information and support case assessments.
  • Respond promptly to reduce escalation and potential further Ombudsman involvement.
  • Identify and escalate service issues where necessary to help prevent future service failure.
  • Use data and feedback to support improved outcomes for residents.

About You

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

Experience

  • A track record of effective decision-making, particularly in relation to financial matters.
  • Experience managing competing priorities in a busy environment.
  • Experience of working empathetically with residents or customers.

Skills

  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to build effective working relationships across services.
  • Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise conflicting deadlines.
  • High attention to detail, particularly when assessing compensation claims.
  • Ability to work with sensitive and complex cases, including vulnerable residents.

Knowledge

  • Understanding of legislative requirements and regulatory frameworks in housing.
  • Awareness of local government processes and the role of regulatory bodies.

Please upload an up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining, and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

For any informal enquiries please contact Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk quoting ref 4198.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Ombudsman & Compensation Assistant in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to fairness and respect, the Council offers hybrid working arrangements, competitive salaries, and opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for individuals passionate about serving the community. Employees benefit from a culture that prioritises employee well-being and development, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to improving residents' lives.

Birmingham City Council

Contact Details:

Birmingham City Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Ombudsman & Compensation Assistant in Birmingham

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Birmingham City Council. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect your experiences to what they care about, especially when it comes to fairness and respect for residents.

Tip Number 2

Practice your empathy skills! Since this role involves dealing with sensitive situations, think of examples from your past where you've handled complaints or distressing situations with care. We want to see how you can bring that resident-focused approach to the table.

Tip Number 3

Show off your decision-making prowess! Be ready to discuss times when you've made tough decisions, especially around financial matters. Highlight how you balanced competing priorities while ensuring fairness and accuracy in your choices.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the team!

We think you need these skills to ace Ombudsman & Compensation Assistant in Birmingham

Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Decision-Making
Empathy
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Relationship Building

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for helping residents shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference and are motivated to ensure fairness and respect for all.

Be Detail-Oriented:Pay close attention to the details in your application. Highlight your experience with decision-making and managing compensation claims, as this role requires a keen eye for accuracy and thoroughness.

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is up-to-date and tailored to the role. Focus on relevant experiences that showcase your skills in communication, empathy, and organisational abilities. Remember, we can't consider applications without a CV!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t wait too long, as vacancies may close earlier than expected!

How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand the role of an Ombudsman & Compensation Assistant inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around assessing compensation claims and managing resident communications. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.

Show Empathy

Since this role involves dealing with residents who may be distressed, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive situations. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've shown empathy and provided excellent customer service. This will highlight your suitability for the role.

Highlight Attention to Detail

Given the importance of accuracy in assessing compensation claims, be ready to discuss how you ensure attention to detail in your work. You could mention specific tools or methods you use to keep track of information and maintain accurate records, which is vital for this position.

Prepare Questions

At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the team dynamics, the challenges faced in the role, or how success is measured. This shows that you're not only interested in the job but also in contributing positively to the organisation.