In the role of Revenues Officer you’ll thrive on working in a dedicated team collecting almost £1 billion of vital income for the Council which funds the services we provide.
It’s not just about collecting money though. Part of your role will be to ensure that people are in receipt of any discounts and reliefs and other support they are entitled to.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Revenues Officer, you will bring:
* Exceptional Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service by speaking to members of the public on the telephone, resolving enquiries, and taking escalated calls from Revenues Assistants in a debt collection environment.
* Team Support: Assist the management team with coaching and training new staff.
* Legislative Knowledge: Stay up to date with relevant business rates and council tax legislation, and perform other duties as necessary to ensure effective service delivery to the citizens of Leeds.
* Performance Achievement: Work as part of a team to achieve performance targets related to the collection and administration of council tax, business rates, or sundry income.
About the role
Effective revenue collection is crucial for maintaining the council’s budget, ensuring the availability of funds for essential public services and community projects. The Revenues team are responsible for the collection of almost £1 billion of Council Tax, Business rates and other income for the Council.
As our next Revenues Officer, you’ll be at the forefront of customer service, handling telephone and email enquiries with ease. You’ll support a team of Revenues Assistants to deliver a first-class revenues service, working closely with the Revenues Team Leader to assist in team management.
You’ll also have the exciting opportunity to focus on your personal growth and development, empowering you to reach your full potential.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Tracey Dunhill, Revenues Service Manager, Call 0113 3788504 or email tracey.dunhill@leeds.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job purpose
The Revenues Officer will deal with customers over the phone and by email, recording and updating computer records. They will provide an effective liaison service including 3rd party debt advice / enforcement Agencies, elected members and other LCC services, ensuring the accurate, secure and timely administration of the collection and recovery of income in one of the key areas of the Revenues service.
The post holder will be working in either the Business Rates, Sundry Income, Council Tax or Council Tax Recovery team. Flexibility is required as the post holder may be asked to undertake duties from other teams or move teams as the need arises.
Responsibilities
* Dealing with telephone calls and emails from the public, outside agencies & other council departments relating to Business Rates, Council Tax or Sundry Income in line with the principles of good customer service & the Council’s objectives & Equal Access strategy.
* Telephoning customers to collect debts.
* Responding to customers’ letters using Microsoft Word or equivalent.
* Resolving account queries and negotiating and monitoring payment arrangements with customers on the telephone, in emails and at court hearings.
* Liaison with Leeds Benefits Service, other council departments and external bodies such as Bailiff companies with regard to individual cases.
* Following work instructions/procedures to ensure that customers receive a consistently high standard of service.
* Assisting in the production of information for management reports.
* Accurately updating computerised databases.
* Assisting with training, supervision and mentoring of clerical and newly appointed staff.
* Instigating appropriate collection and enforcement proceedings on unpaid local taxation and sundry income debts via reminder notices, summonses, distraint, Attachment Orders & Insolvency proceedings.
* Providing general assistance to clerical and senior officers throughout the Agency and the Council as a whole, including working towards performance standards and objectives.
* To abide by all policies, procedures and strategies.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications:
No specific qualifications are required for this role.
Essential requirements
Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
* Able to communicate effectively, e.g. with members of the public, outside agencies, other officers of the Council, councillors and M.P.’s.
* Able to resolve escalated calls and deal calmly but firmly with challenging customers.
* Able to supervise, develop and train staff as required.
* Able to work toward deadlines, targets and objectives.
* Able to make decisions and work flexibly as part of a team.
* Able to work towards achieving objectives and meet performance standards expected by the service.
* An understanding of one of the areas: Council Tax, Business Rates, Sundry Income and Housing Benefit Overpayment legislation.
* Understanding of good customer service principles.
* Understanding of Local Authority functions and financing.
* A working knowledge of revenues computer systems and of using standard software applications.
* Dealing with written, email and telephone enquiries from a wide variety of people and organisations.
* Negotiating and monitoring payment of local taxation and/or sundry income arrangements.
* Experience of working to deadlines with competing priorities.
* Working in a debt collection environment, abiding by and applying legislative proceedings.
* Resolving complex issues relating to local taxation legislation and/or sundry income collection.
* Working as part of a team, contributing to team building and effective team working.
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
* Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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