Recovery Officer

About the role:

The successful candidate will work as part of a team and assist in the collection & recovery of Council Tax, Business Rates, Sundry Debts & Housing Benefit Overpayments, ensuring the income is received promptly & efficiently in accordance with current legislation, government guidance and the agreed policies, performance targets and procedures of the Council.

About you:

You will be an enthusiastic, committed team player, understanding best practice and customer contact procedures with experience in debt recovery.

You must be able to manage your own workload and ensure you are effective in balancing priorities. The position is highly demanding, you will be dealing with a high workload.

We are looking for someone with a professional and friendly approach to give excellent customer service to our customers.

What you will do:

You will determine the most effective means of debt recovery for all debt streams being overpaid benefits from final stage, Post summons stage for Council Tax & Business Rates, Final reminder stage for Sundry Debts.

Ensure all enforcement and recovery actions taken fully comply with legislation, and procedures. Instigate the most appropriate and effective means of recovering monies post liability Order and County Court Judgement that is available to the Council, including to sanction the conversion of a County Court Judgement to a High Court Judgement if appropriate.

To provide specialised advice, guidance and explanations to customers and other third parties, regarding overpayment recovery and connected issues such as Council Tax liability, deferred charges, welfare-benefit take-up, signposting to advice & support agencies. This advice and guidance will be provided face-to-face, via telephone, electronic means or via letter, in order to maximise claimant welfare.