At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to recover outstanding debts and support vulnerable customers.
- Company: Gloucester City Council, a dynamic local authority serving the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a modern office environment.
- Other info: Embrace a collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including English and Maths; experience in debt collection preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30518 - 32597 £ per year.
This is a Gloucester City Council job located in Gloucester. The salary is £30,518-£32,597 per annum for 37 hours per week on a permanent contract.
We are a dynamic local authority providing essential services to the people of Gloucester. Our main office, based in the Eastgate Centre on Eastgate Street in the heart of the city, is an accessible, modern and light space designed for collaborative working. We offer flexible and agile working to give our people a great work-life balance.
About The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join our busy Revenues and Benefits Team as a Recovery Officer. The successful candidate will be a committed team player who can work on their own initiative to complete tasks and achieve targets. The role is designed to maximise the revenue and income the council receives from Business Rates, Council Tax, and Housing Benefit Overpayments using a variety of enforcement tools.
The successful candidate will be able to negotiate and agree repayment terms that are realistic, affordable, and sustainable, whilst bearing in mind the Council’s Recovery Policy, customer circumstances and other essential financial commitments.
The Ideal Candidate Will
- Be committed to providing excellent customer service
- Be computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft packages
- Have experience of coping well under pressure and dealing with difficult situations
- Have experience of local authority revenues administration
- Have experience of debt collection
What will you be doing? Duties
- Deciding and implementing the most effective option to recover outstanding debts including referral to the enforcement agent, attachment to earnings, deduction from benefit, issue of pre-committal and pre-bankruptcy letters or County Court action.
- Supporting customers that are vulnerable, encouraging the take-up of available benefits and discounts, negotiating debt repayment plans and applying discretion where necessary.
- Monitor customer accounts to ensure payments are being received and take action to progress recovery as appropriate.
- Assist with the preparation of cases for court.
- Deliver excellent customer service when dealing with customers and stakeholders providing explanations and clarification of decisions and actions taken relating to legislation, policy, and procedures.
- Signpost residents to additional/alternative support where it is outside the remit of the Revenues and Benefits service area.
- Issue of housing benefit overpayment invoices, monitoring arrangements with debtors and taking appropriate action to recover unpaid debts.
- Answer and deal with telephone enquiries from customers.
General Duties
- Ensure confidentiality and comply with GDPR
- Always provide excellent customer service
- Work flexibly to support your colleagues
- Embrace the standards under the Council’s Employee Behaviours Framework
Skills And Personal Qualities Required
- Communicate confidently with customers, using tact and discretion where required.
- Be IT literate; familiar with Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel & Outlook
- Organised and methodical with good attention to detail
- Possess good written skills
- Team working
- Be punctual
- Experience of working in council tax and/or business rates
Qualifications
A minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 4/C and above including English and Maths, or equivalent.
Things to consider
The role will require you to work flexibly, working from the office in Gloucester when required and from home. You will need to complete a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS), you will be supported to do this.
Additional Information
The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates will need to have right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer.
Applications from Gloucestershire County Council employees who are currently on the redeployment register or at risk of redundancy will be considered first at the shortlisting stage.
Safeguarding
Gloucester City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Equality and Diversity
We recognise the positive value of equality and diversity and pride ourselves on growing a high‑performing workforce that is diverse, skilled and talented; that represents the community it serves. We aim to recruit a diverse pool of talent and will recruit the person who is most suited to the job without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, age, nationality, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, caring responsibilities or disability.
We are a disability confident employer committed to removing barriers to employment to those with disabilities or long‑term health conditions. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure to ensure that no‑one is disadvantaged because of their disability. Please contact the recruitment team if you require support or reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process.
Immigration
It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Recovery Officer in Gloucester employer: GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL
Gloucester City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in the heart of Gloucester. With a focus on employee well-being, we provide flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth within our collaborative, open-plan office space. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a supportive culture that values diversity and promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Officer in Gloucester
✨Dive into Local Government Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Recovery Officer in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL.
