At a Glance
- Tasks: Help customers manage their rent debts and provide support to promote self-sufficiency.
- Company: Join Birmingham City Council's dynamic Rent Service team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working model, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28598 - 34434 £ per year.
Grade B - £28,598 - £34,434
Working 36.5 hours per week
The Rent Service is part of the Finance Directorate of Birmingham City Council and has significant responsibilities for income collection to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). We are responsible for the annual collection of £300 million housing rents and also have responsibility for the recovery of former tenancy debt and Housing Benefit Overpayments from Local Authority tenants. Our purpose is to maximise the collection of rent by providing our tenants with advice and support to prevent rent debt. We aim to promote self-sufficiency and identify vulnerable tenants at an early stage, whilst promoting and maintaining a strong payment culture and maximising income through receipt of relevant welfare benefits.
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Income Services Officer; ideally you will have experience of income collection and communicating with customers in a target driven environment. You should be able to work well as part of a team, with evidence of planning and organisational skills to allow the delivery of tasks within set deadlines and to effectively prioritise tasks.
Responsibilities
- Contacting Birmingham City Council customers by outbound telephone calls to negotiate and take payments in order to clear their rent debts and to advise customers of what is required in order to resolve debt on their rent accounts.
- Contacting Birmingham City Council customers by correspondence to advise them of the current situation with their rent account and to prompt contact where customers have fallen into debt so that corrective action may be taken.
- Managing cases end to end, reviewing and assessing customer’s circumstances and making appropriate decisions whilst providing advice and guidance to customers in line with current policies and procedures.
- Accessing, filing and updating of information on computer systems using clear and concise language in order to summarise the content of any contact with customers and actions taken.
- To carry out Rent Service administrative tasks as directed by Income Services Team Leaders and Management Officers.
Qualifications and requirements
- Experience of dealing with and talking to customers in a target driven environment and possess verbal and written communication skills of a high level.
- Good negotiation skills; ability to work well as part of a team; planning and organisational skills to deliver tasks within set deadlines and effectively prioritise tasks.
Hybrid working model, with the post holder required to work from Birmingham City Council buildings as business needs dictate.
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application; this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer and is committed to employing, retaining and developing all our people. 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.
Income Services Officer employer: Birmingham City Council
Contact Detail:
Birmingham City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Income Services Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Birmingham City Council and their Rent Service. Understanding their values and goals will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves a lot of customer interaction, try role-playing scenarios with friends or family. This will help you feel more confident when negotiating and advising customers about their rent debts.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees of Birmingham City Council on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your CV and cover letter directly. Make sure to highlight your experience in income collection and customer service, as these are key for the Income Services Officer role.
We think you need these skills to ace Income Services Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Income Services Officer role. Highlight your experience in income collection and customer communication, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Provide examples of your negotiation skills and how you've worked in a target-driven environment. This will help us see you in action!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, use clear and concise language. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially since this role involves summarising information for customers. Keep it simple and to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us. Plus, make sure to attach your up-to-date CV, as we can’t consider applications without it. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Council
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Income Services Officer, you'll be dealing with significant sums of money. Brush up on your knowledge of income collection processes and the financial responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to maximising rent collection and managing debts effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires excellent verbal and written communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with customers in previous roles, especially in a target-driven environment. Think about specific situations where your negotiation skills made a difference.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
The job involves working as part of a team, so be prepared to talk about your experience collaborating with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to team goals and supported colleagues in achieving targets. Highlight your planning and organisational skills that help the team deliver tasks on time.
✨Understand the Policies
Familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures related to rent collection and debt recovery. During the interview, show that you understand the importance of these guidelines and how they impact your decision-making when advising customers. This will demonstrate your readiness for the role.