Welfare Adviser

Please note: City of Lincoln Council do not accept CVs.

We have a fixed term vacancy available in our busy Welfare & Money Advice team covering maternity leave. The team provide support in claiming benefit entitlements, grants and other payments, including promotion, individual advice, and help with challenging decisions. We are looking for a candidate who is a good team-player and ideally a trained debt adviser, or willing to train in this area. Applicants should have a good working knowledge of DWP benefits.

The role is part time, and we will consider a variety of working patterns to suit the requirements of the successful applicant and the needs of the team. The role is also career graded, incorporates hybrid working and can be based in Lincoln or Sleaford.

Key responsibilities:

• To promote a "one stop" approach to service delivery across the joint authorities of City of Lincoln and North Kesteven District and to demonstrate an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of other sections within the partner local authorities and other external stakeholders.

• To provide Benefit advice, and the support and information customers need to access their full benefit entitlement in a customer-focused, professional and cost-effective manner.

• To promote financial inclusion and those services appropriate to households with low-incomes, unmanageable debts or other vulnerabilities. This is to include working on take-up campaigns and the promotion of appropriate financial services.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Ability to perform towards targets for caseload and outcome.

• Experience of dealing with the public in a customer service capacity involving both telephones and face-to face contact.

• Ability to learn benefit rules, assess information and use knowledge to decide objectively on individual entitlements.

• Ability to be responsible for council resources.

• Ability to transport oneself around the city.

• A detailed knowledge of the whole range of Social Security and welfare benefits, including Tax Credits, retirement pensions and disability benefits.

Benefits we offer:

• Flexible working options / Flexi time scheme.

• Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays.

• Local government pension scheme (currently 23.4% employer contribution).

• Employee online discount scheme (including cinema, retail/supermarkets and homeware/tech).

• Health and Wellbeing support.

• Sustainable Travel Options (Tax free bike scheme and discounted City parking).

In order to complete your application, please visit our website. You will find the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification section of the job description, so please ensure you address this in your supporting statement.

All external candidates are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and a 6-month probationary period. This role also requires a standard DBS check.

Please be aware that the City of Lincoln Council does not hold a UKVI sponsor licence and is therefore unable to sponsor work visas. If you think you may require a visa to work in the UK, please refer to UK Visas & Immigration before applying as you may be eligible to work in the UK via an alternative visa route.

As a Disability Confident Scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.

Job Types: Fixed term contract, Part-time

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £26,518.00-£31,741.00 per year

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Flexitime
• Health & wellbeing programme

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lincoln LN1