Local Taxation Officer
| Posting date: | 22 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 August 2024 |
| Location: | Portsmouth, po1 2al |
| Company: | Portsmouth City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 3901 |
Summary
Local Taxation Officer
Salary: Band 6, £26,073 - £29,777 p.a
Full time - 37 hours per week
Permanent
The Service:
An opportunity has arisen in our Local Taxation team within our Revenues & Benefits service, which is part of the wider Finance and Resources directorate. Revenues and Benefits administers Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, bills and collects Council Tax and Business Rates revenue. The Local Taxation team administers the billing and collection of Council Tax.
What is the role?
Reporting to the Revenues & Benefits Team Leader, the post holder will be responsible for the administration of council tax accounts and business rates accounts, to ensure that bills are issued in accordance with legislation, and charge payers are assisted with their enquiries. This will include guidance and support to customers that are experiencing financial hardship and will involve negotiation to reach sensible payment arrangements.
The local taxation team is fast paced, and the local taxation officer role is customer facing, and the successful candidate will, following training, interact with customers regularly. As a customer facing employee, the post holder will provide help and support through multiple contact channels including the telephone, face to face meetings at the Civic Offices and occasionally at the Magistrates Court, in addition to responding to customers in writing.
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training covering the legislative background to council tax, and the associated processes to support the administration of the charge. This training will be office based and is likely to last several months. Following the completion of the training program there will be an opportunity for hybrid working, whereby the post holder will be able to work some days from home dependant on business needs.
Who is the person?
You will need to have:
- A working knowledge of council tax is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.
- A customer focused approach to work, with good communication skills, both verbal and written. You will also have the ability to really listen to what is being said, show empathy and have a willingness to help. The ability to provide advice in accurate, spoken English is essential for this post.
- The ability to remain calm and professional when assisting someone who may be distressed or aggrieved.
- An eye for detail to ensure that council tax bills are issued accurately, payment plans are assessed correctly, and advice provided to customers is appropriate for the situation.
- Good team working skills to encourage a culture of improvement and co-operation among team members across the service, with partners, and other colleagues.
- The ability to work and manage under pressure in a fast-paced environment to meet the service needs.
- Good negotiating skills to assist in the agreement of payment arrangements.
- Flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of Revenues and Benefits and the Finance and Resources directorate.
- A good working knowledge of Microsoft office including the ability to use the internet and online resources to obtain information and be fully IT literate.
When completing the application form, please thoroughly tailor your application to the 'Who is the Person' points with the use of examples from your experience and attach this as a cover letter in the Supporting Documents section. This is really important or you are likely not to be shortlisted. Please click HERE for the full job profile!
Closing date: 4th August 2024
Interviews: 14th or 15th August 2024
We are a disability confident employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible and welcome applications from all areas of society.
We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:
- A generous pension scheme
- Up to 31 days annual leave per year pro rata + bank holidays
- A range of retail discounts via our reward portal offering discounts at retailers including IKEA, Currys, Tesco
- Free Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support
- Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
- Potential to purchase additional annual leave
- Business travel support and initiatives, including bike loans
Please click here for all the benefits of working with us!
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk