Job Title Revenues Officer 3 (Job No. 000726) Service Area Financial Services Salary 24,006 - with possible progression to 25,771 per annum (pro rata for part time) Grade 5 Contract Permanent Hours 37 Location Oxford Here at Oxford City Council we recognise the importance of delivering excellent services to the people we serve. In 2014-5 the Revenues Team collected over 150m of Council Tax and Business Rates and our key challenge for the future is to improve on this figure. We are now recruiting three Revenues Officers to join our Administration and Recovery Teams. You will need to have experience of administering accounts, collecting income and working in a Council Tax, Business Rates or Housing Benefit Overpayments service. You will need to work effectively as part of a team, have great communication skills and a strong desire to deliver excellent customer service. Please refer to the Job Description for the full list of essential and desirable criteria. Oxford City Council prides itself for delivering high quality, cost effective public services. Oxford is a world class city and the Council has high aspirations for its services and employees. In 2014, the Council was awarded the nationally recognised title Council of the Year. We have also been judged as Gold status in the Investors in People award which examines how we manage and invest in staff. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of the community we serve so we welcome applicants from all communities. We particularly encourage applications from suitably qualified black and minority ethnic candidates because people from these backgrounds are currently under represented in our workforce. Where applicable, we encourage applications from women in management posts as we are under-represented in these areas. Disabled Applicants who meet the essential criteria on the Person Specification will be invited to interview. Benefits include: Local Government pension scheme Up to 32 days annual leave (after 5 years service) Flex time A childcare voucher scheme Subsidised leisure membership Employer benefits scheme For an informal discussion about the posts please contact Anne Harvey Lynch on 01865 252638 or email aharveylynch@oxford.gov.uk Closing Date: Friday 9 th October 2015 LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Interview Dates: week commencing 19 th October 2015 This post requires checks under the Government Basic Personnel Security Standard which includes a Basic Disclosure for criminal records. Oxford City Council is not currently licensed as a sponsor and cannot employ migrant workers outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland under the Point Based System rules, issued by the UK Border Agency. For full details of the above post, and how to apply online, please visit www.oxford.gov.uk If you are unable to access our website please call 01865 252848 PLEASE NOTE CV s WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED follow us @OCC_Jobs
JOB DESCRIPTION JOB INFORMATION JOB TITLE Revenues Officer POST NUMBER 000726 SERVICE AREA Financial Services LOCATION GRADE 5 GRADE RANGE St Aldate s Chambers 24,006 to 25,771 HOURS 37 TYPE Permanent ACCOUNTABILITIES RESPONSIBLE TO Revenues Team Leader NO. OF EMPLOYEES BUDGET ( ) 0 ASSETS 0 JOB PURPOSE 0 Assist in the control and maintenance of the accounting systems within Revenues Recover and collect amounts due in respect of Council Tax, Business Rates and Overpaid Housing Benefit Work with the appropriate legislation, current working procedures and performance targets Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of demonstrating that they fulfil the following criteria in their application form and should include clear examples of how they meet these criteria. CRITERIA Essential/ Desirable requirement Method of testing AF = Application form I = Interview, T = Test Qualifications & Experience E D AF I T Good standard of literacy to be able to interpret legislation and communicate complex information to non-specialists, verbally and in writing. The expected is minimum of 4 GSCEs grade C or above (or equivalent) including Mathematics and English Language Experience of working in either a Council Tax, Business Rates or Overpayments of Housing Benefit service. Experience of delivering good Customer Service Experience of working in a debt recovery service Experience of using information@work and CapitaEV Academy systems Experience of working with financial controls and reconciliation practices Technical Knowledge/Skills
Good practical knowledge of MS Word and Excel Able to plan and prioritise work, remaining calm and maintaining standards to meet targets and deadlines whilst under pressure Good negotiating skills in order to make realistic arrangements with customers to clear outstanding arrears Proven experience of working on own initiative, and using judgment to research and solve problems relating to completion of personal and teamwork plans A commitment to recover outstanding debts and the ability to deal with customers who are experiencing financial difficulties Values & Behaviours Take personal responsibility for our actions; Displaying a proactive and positive attitude and readily accepting ownership of your responsibilities as an employee. Actively supporting your team and colleagues in an open and honest way, reflecting on your own performance and seeking opportunities to improve and develop. Put communities and customers needs first; Providing an excellent level of service to your customers making sure their needs are understood, met and managed. Demonstrating an understanding of the needs and issues of communities. Embrace innovation: Actively putting forward new ideas about how to work better and improve performance to enable the service to get ahead. Showing a genuine commitment to supporting change and new ideas. Value diversity: Demonstrating a positive attitude toward individual difference, community and cultural difference by being open minded, fair and actively contributing to the development of an inclusive work environment. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To lead, manage, plan, resource and deliver the following service: To process all aspects of revenues and collection information received in respect of Council Tax, Business Rates and Overpaid Housing Benefit inputting and cross referencing information into the accounting systems that are available. To determine liability of Council Tax, Business Rates and Overpayment of Housing Benefit. To ensure that the maximum possible take up of benefits, discounts, exemptions and reliefs are awarded to reduce liability of those entitled to them. To carry out rolling reviews to ensure that reliefs, discounts and exemptions have been awarded correctly. To process and take appropriate action on any errors and warnings and default reports that the accounting systems produce. To prepare reports to line manager for writing off debts in accordance with the Debt write off policy. To act as an outside visiting officer to determine liability and the recovery of payments as and when is required. To liaise and work with other Council departments and officers within Customer Services as
and when is necessary. To liaise with outside organisations (Voluntary Organisations, Solicitors, Estate Agents, Landlords/Letting Agents, Housing Associations) and Government bodies (Department of Works and Pension, Inland Revenue) where appropriate when dealing with liability and collection of arrears. To initiate contact with customers by telephone, letter, e-mail, text or visiting who have fallen into behind with payments. To obtain up to date financial information in order to assist with income maximisation and negotiate realistic agreements to clear or reduce arrears. To attend Magistrates Court and County Court to assist with legal proceedings for the collection of debts outstanding to the Council. To deal with written or verbal complaints in line with the Corporate Complaints procedure. To provide training, coaching and mentoring to staff within the Revenues Team. To assist in the completion of documentation related to external auditors. To assist with quality control checking and provide staff feedback. To participate in the continuing review of working practices and procedures. To be involved in any projects and duties commensurate with the post. This includes daily responsibility for People, including ensuring high performance and continuous learning, driving delivery of outcomes, giving regular feedback and providing coaching / mentoring to bring out the best in individuals Performance, finance and risk (including ensuring compliance with the Constitution and Standing Orders and ensuring value for money) Communication Change Innovation Customer service Partnership development Selling services To contribute towards the service area s delivery of the Corporate and service plans using appropriate organisational tools, policies and procedures, including: Service planning, production of the plan and monitoring performance against it Service performance, finance & risk management and reporting Complaints, compliments & comments Learning & development, workforce and project plans Standard operating procedures Freedom of information and data protection Customer feedback Quality assurance Health & safety Apprenticeship / graduate / work experience programmes Business process improvement To drive continuous service review and improvement, challenging existing practice and actively seeking ways of achieving greater outcomes and leaner delivery (GOLD). This includes challenging traditional thinking and pursuing innovation To act as ambassador for the service area both internally and externally representing the service area priorities and organisation initiatives as appropriate To lead or contribute to projects To contribute to corporate programme boards, as required
To contribute to developing relevant strategies and policies, as required GENERIC RESPONSIBILITIES To provide the service in accordance with the Council s Vision, Corporate Plan and Service Transformation Plans To demonstrate and promote ethical behaviour appropriate to that which would be expected by our customers To participate in the adoption and promotion of the Council equalities and carbon management initiative To work in a flexible manner and to be willing to undertake other duties as reasonably requested including outside of office hours Oxford City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to demonstrate this commitment in every aspect of their work. Candidate Screening Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Exempt Criminal Record/Vetting Checks: Basic Disclosure Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Politically Sensitive Post No This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of the business and the role develops. The role requires flexibility and adaptability and the employees of the Council need to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given responsibilities not detailed on this job description.