At a Glance
- Tasks: Help residents sustain tenancies and manage rent accounts while providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Lewisham Council, a vibrant and diverse community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with great career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service, strong organisational skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Are you passionate about helping residents sustain their tenancies while delivering excellent customer service? Do you have experience working in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment, strong organisational skills, and the ability to analyse information and solve problems? If you are self-motivated, confident working with a wide range of people, and committed to delivering high-quality services, we would like to hear from you.
As an Income Officer, you will manage a caseload of rent accounts, helping residents to sustain their tenancies while maximising rental income for the Council. You will work directly with residents, providing advice, support and early intervention to prevent rent arrears, whilst taking timely recovery action where needed. You will complete home visits, attend court hearings and collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to resolve issues and achieve positive outcomes for residents and the Council.
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
We're looking for someone who enjoys working with people, is confident having difficult conversations, and can balance empathy with achieving results. You'll be organised, resilient and able to manage a varied caseload with competing priorities, while making sound decisions based on the information available. Most importantly, you'll be committed to helping residents sustain their tenancies and delivering excellent customer service.
The job is primarily based in Laurence House in Catford, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
The job is subject to a basic DBS check. Please ensure your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experience. While we recognise applicants may use AI tools to support their application, submissions should be written in your own words and accurately represent your abilities. Applications that appear to rely heavily on AI-generated content may not demonstrate the competencies required for the role and could disadvantage candidates during the selection process.
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Salek Hussain (salek.hussain@lewisham.gov.uk).
Salary: £37,509 to £41,637 per annum (Career Graded Scale 6 / SO1). This is a career graded role and your salary will depend on your experience. The starting salary for those with one year experience as an Income Officer in social housing will be £40,404 per annum.
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Income Officer - Court employer: Lewisham Council
Join Lewisham Council as a Social Worker and be part of a team that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and young people within our vibrant, culturally diverse community. With excellent training and development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive work culture that values flexibility and family-friendly policies, you will thrive in an environment committed to championing the rights of all children. Located conveniently in Catford, with easy access to transport links, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful change while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Income Officer - Court
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Lewisham Council. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Lewisham Council before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Income Officer - Court
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Lewisham Council:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Lewisham Council specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Lewisham Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lewisham Council
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
