Are you an experienced Benefits Assessment Officer looking for a new opportunity within a dynamic and supportive team? West Berkshire Council is seeking a skilled individual to join our Finance and Property Service as a Benefits Assessment Officer, reporting to the Principal Benefits Officer. The Role As a Benefits Assessment Officer, you will play a crucial role in delivering high-quality benefits assessment and administration services to our customers. Your key responsibilities will include: Conducting thorough assessments of eligibility for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Processing applications, changes in circumstances, and appeals Providing accurate and timely advice to customers regarding benefits entitlement Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing Maintaining comprehensive records and producing reports as required You will be part of a dedicated team, working together to ensure the highest standards of customer service and satisfaction. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes: Proven experience in benefits assessment and administration, ideally within a local authority environment Sound knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations governing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise tasks Attention to detail and accuracy in data processing and record keeping If you are a motivated and professional individual with a passion for delivering excellent customer service, we would love to hear from you. This role is fixed term until 31/03/2026 – Backfill for secondment West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as: Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-21.00 Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities Generous Local Government pension scheme Family friendly policies A range of local discounts Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service. Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment. In addition to these benefits, you will be working within a supportive and collaborative environment, dedicated to making a positive impact in the local community. For an informal discussion to learn more about the role, please contact Andrew Wheldon on ext 9275 or email andrew.wheldonwestberks.gov.uk. Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us Equal Opportunities The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. How to apply Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV. This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies. This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council https://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications