At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage council debts and assist customers in resolving their financial issues.
- Company: Join the West Lothian Council team, dedicated to serving the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others while developing your skills in debt management.
- Qualifications: Current employees of West Lothian Council only; experience in customer service is a plus.
- Other info: This role is ideal for those looking to advance their career within the council.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Applications for this post will only be accepted from current employees of West Lothian Council (this includes casual and agency staff who are currently undertaking work for us).
Working as part of a team, the Advanced Collections Officer will:
- Provide a one-point corporate and aged debt service including service accounts to customers who have debts due to the council, contributing to the development of the service and identifying strategies to deal effectively with council debt.
- Provide a point of contact for staff dealing with customers who have debts due to the council.
- Assist in the administration and collection of council debts and be able to identify and amend inaccuracies in records across relevant council systems.
- Manage cases that are escalated to the team for advanced recovery action. This will involve assisting customers who engage to maximise benefits and to address debts going forward.
- Identify and prepare cases for legal action, managing the case until decree is obtained and the paperwork is returned to the housing manager to facilitate the eviction process.
- Attempt engagement through a variety of means, including telephone, text, visits, etc.
- Reporting to the Senior Section Leader, they will be expected to prioritise their own workload and generally work on an unsupervised basis assessing cases and situations and, based on their knowledge and experience, act accordingly.
- Accountable for the achievement of the council’s statutory and key performance indicators.
- Actively participate and contribute to the team’s development and contribute to the overall performance targets and identified outcomes.
Advanced Collections Officer, The Jim Walker Partnership Centre, 492.11, INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - WEL09115 employer: West Lothian Council
Contact Detail:
West Lothian Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Collections Officer, The Jim Walker Partnership Centre, 492.11, INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - WEL09115
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific debt collection processes and policies of West Lothian Council. Understanding the nuances of how they operate will give you an edge in discussions during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with colleagues who are already in similar roles or departments. They can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your problem-solving skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed difficult cases or resolved conflicts in the past. This will show your capability to handle the responsibilities of the Advanced Collections Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the team's performance targets and overall service development. Highlight any previous experiences where you've improved processes or outcomes in your current role.
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Collections Officer, The Jim Walker Partnership Centre, 492.11, INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - WEL09115
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise your experience in debt collection and customer service. Use specific examples from your current role at West Lothian Council that demonstrate your ability to manage cases and engage with customers effectively.
Showcase Team Collaboration: Since the role involves working as part of a team, illustrate your ability to collaborate with colleagues. Mention any instances where you contributed to team goals or helped improve processes within your department.
Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills: The job requires identifying inaccuracies and managing escalated cases. Provide examples of how you've successfully resolved issues in the past, particularly those related to debt management or customer interactions.
Align with Performance Indicators: Familiarise yourself with the council’s statutory and key performance indicators. In your application, discuss how your work has contributed to achieving similar targets and how you plan to continue doing so in this new role.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Lothian Council
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of an Advanced Collections Officer. Understand the importance of managing council debts and how your role contributes to the overall performance targets. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these duties.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed difficult cases or resolved inaccuracies in records. Highlight your ability to engage with customers through various means and how you’ve maximised benefits for them in the past.
✨Showcase Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working as part of a team, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborating with colleagues. Share instances where you contributed to team development or helped achieve collective goals.
✨Understand Performance Metrics
Be aware of the council’s statutory and key performance indicators. Think about how you can contribute to achieving these metrics and be ready to discuss any relevant experiences that demonstrate your accountability and results-driven approach.