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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Help collect Council Tax and Business Rates while managing accounts and resolving queries.
- Company: Join Luton Borough Council, dedicated to serving the community and fighting poverty.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive work environment with great perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing valuable skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in Local Taxation or debt collection is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
- Other info: This role offers a fixed-term contract for up to 15 months with potential for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 31000 £ per year.
About The Job
Salary: £30,024 – £32,597 a year
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
In this role, you’ll help ensure Council Tax, Business Rates and benefit overpayments are billed and collected efficiently. You’ll be using both manual and computerised systems to manage accounts, handle sensitive data, and keep accurate records.
You’ll also speak directly with residents, businesses and claimants to resolve queries, negotiate payment arrangements and sometimes take recovery action through to the Magistrates or County Courts when needed.
You’ll be part of a supportive team that values accuracy, fairness and good customer service, even when working with customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties. Occasionally, you may need to work the odd Saturday morning or evening to help us meet service demands.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About You
You’ll bring proven experience of working in a Local Taxation or debt collection environment, ideally with a good understanding of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates or overpayments of benefits. You’ll be confident using computer systems like Academy and Comino, and comfortable managing both digital and manual records with great attention to detail.
You know how to communicate clearly and sensitively with a wide range of people, sometimes in challenging situations where tact and empathy really matter. You’re organised, able to plan your own workload to meet deadlines and targets, and you’re not afraid of working with numbers — adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing comes naturally to you.
This is a public facing role so you’ll need to show off your fluency in speaking and writing English.
About Us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.
Application Process
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
How To Apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!
Our ‘How to apply\’ page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply
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Recovery Officer employer: Luton Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Luton Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific systems mentioned in the job description, like Academy and Comino. Having a solid understanding of these tools will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your knowledge of Council Tax, Business Rates, and benefit overpayments. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently during any conversations or interviews will show that you’re genuinely interested and knowledgeable about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential scenarios where you might need to handle sensitive situations with residents or businesses. Practising your communication skills, especially in challenging contexts, will help you convey empathy and professionalism when it matters most.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Luton Borough Council if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach and stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Recovery Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Recovery Officer position. Highlight your relevant experience in local taxation or debt collection in your application.
Manager's Approval: If you are a permanent employee at Luton Borough Council, ensure you obtain written approval from your manager before applying. Include this approval in your application to avoid any delays.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job. Emphasise your attention to detail, communication skills, and experience with computer systems like Academy and Comino.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and your passion for helping the community. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your suitability for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Luton Borough Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Recovery Officer. Familiarise yourself with Council Tax, Business Rates, and benefit overpayments, as well as the systems used like Academy and Comino. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves direct interaction with residents and businesses, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and sensitively. Think of examples where you've successfully handled challenging conversations or resolved disputes.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
Accuracy is crucial in this position. Be ready to discuss how you manage records and handle sensitive data. You might want to share specific instances where your attention to detail made a difference in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and empathy. Prepare examples of how you've dealt with financial difficulties faced by clients or how you've negotiated payment arrangements in the past.
