Revenues Assistant

Salary: B3 - £25,584 to £27,269

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

As a Revenues Assistant you’ll thrive on working in a dedicated team collecting almost £1 billion of vital income for the Council which funds the services we provide. It’s not just about collecting money though. Part of your role will be to ensure that people are in receipt of any discounts and reliefs and other support they are entitled to.

About You

• Customer Engagement: The ability to respond to customer enquiries by telephone and email.
• Financial Assessment: The ability to assess financial circumstances and negotiate appropriate payment arrangements.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience in operating PCs to input and access information accurately.
• Service Improvement: A commitment to enhancing the quality and efficiency of the service.
• Team Collaboration: A dedication to working as a team, contributing to team building and effective teamwork.

About The Role

The Revenues team are responsible for the collection of almost £1 billion of Council Tax, Business rates and other income for the Council. This income helps to fund the vital services which the council provides to its citizens. Join us as our next Revenues Assistant and become the driving force behind exceptional customer service! You’ll effortlessly manage telephone and email enquiries, ensuring our records are always accurate and up to date. Plus, you’ll play a crucial role in maximising income collection while considering individual circumstances. Get ready to make a real impact!

You’ll also have the exciting opportunity to focus on your personal growth and development, empowering you to reach your full potential.

What We Offer You

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Tracey Dunhill, Revenues Service Manager, call 0113 3788504 or email tracey.dunhill@leeds.gov.uk

This position requires a Baseline Personal Security Standard check. A Basic Check will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

The Revenues Assistant will be working in either the Business Rates, Sundry Income, Council Tax or Council Tax Recovery team. They will deal with telephone calls and emails from customers in relation to the specific service area. Flexibility is required as the postholder may be asked to undertake duties from other teams or move teams as the need arises.

Responsibilities

• Dealing with telephone calls and emails from the public, outside agencies & other council departments relating to Business Rates, Council Tax or Sundry Income in line with the principles of good customer service & the Council’s objectives & Equal Access strategy.
• Telephoning customers to collect debts.
• Responding to customers’ letters using Microsoft Word or equivalent.
• Resolving account queries and negotiating and monitoring payment arrangements with customers on the telephone, in emails and at court hearings.
• Liaison with Leeds Benefits Service, other council departments and external bodies such as Bailiff companies with regard to individual cases.
• Following work instructions/procedures to ensure that customers receive a consistently high standard of service.
• Assisting in the production of information for management reports.
• Accurately updating computerised databases.
• Assisting with training, supervision and mentoring of clerical and newly appointed staff.
• Instigating appropriate collection and enforcement proceedings on unpaid local taxation and sundry income debts via reminder notices, summonses, distraint, Attachment Orders & Insolvency proceedings.
• Providing general assistance to clerical and senior officers throughout the Agency and the Council as a whole, including working towards performance standards and objectives.
• To abide by all policies, procedures and strategies.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications:

No specific qualifications are required for this role.

Essential Requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

• Able to respond to customer and other enquiries by telephone or face to face and in writing.
• Able to assess customers’ financial situations and ability to pay, and to negotiate appropriate payment arrangements.
• Able to deal calmly but firmly with challenging customers.
• Able to assist in the training & mentoring of staff.
• Able to make an effective contribution to a team.
• Good written and numerical skills
• An understanding of a Local Authority's functions and financing.
• An understanding of Local Taxation legislation including collection and recovery procedures.
• An understanding of the fundamentals of customer service.
• Experience of dealing with telephone enquiries relating to a variety of people and organisations.
• Experience of general office work.
• Experience of operating PCs to input and access information accurately and effecting alterations to a computer database.
• Experience of working to timescales and performance standards.
• Experience of negotiating arrangements for payment.
• Working as part of a team, contributing to team building and effective team working.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.