Assessment Officer (On behalf of Milton Keynes City Council)

Job Introduction:

We’re seeking candidates who are keen to learn and can provide excellent customer service to join us an Assessment Officer.

You’ll be able to demonstrate high standards of quality and output in your work and will either have experience of working within a Revenues and Benefits service or be enthusiastic to learn. Full training will be provided.

Our service supports some of the most vulnerable people in the community and we would expect all candidates to be able to demonstrate an outstanding commitment to customer service, including through written correspondence and over the telephone.

We’re looking for colleagues that will be both flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service and our customers. This may also include cross site working with our partner Milton Keynes City Council.

This role will be working with our partner council Horsham District Council and this will be your place of work.

For further enquiries or an informal chat about the role please contact either Laura Foote, Revenues & Benefits Team Leader, at laura.foote@milton-keynes.gov.uk or Natalie Buckman, Revenues & Benefits Team Leader, at natalie.buckman@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Homeworking may be considered after demonstrating and maintaining consistently high standards and in consideration of the service needs.

Interviews for this role will be held on 25 June.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Main Responsibility:

• Process applications for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments ensuring they are paid promptly and correctly in accordance with legislation and procedures.
• Ensure that the Council Tax account information relating to the customer has the correct liability and if not, resolve any discrepancies that would affect the financial award.
• Ensure that overpayments of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments have effective recovery set or are identified as not being recoverable in line with policies & procedures and are recommended for write off.
• Administer Local Welfare Provision and any Local Authority administered government schemes that come into force.

The Ideal Candidate:

• GCSE English & Maths grade A – C, or equivalent.
• Experience of working within Revenues and Benefits (not essential as training provided).
• Experience of working with and understanding the needs of customers.
• IT literate in Microsoft applications.
• Experience of using Capita Academy and/or the NEC Northgate Revenues & Benefits System.
• Experience using NEC Enterprise document management system or similar.

Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you and BPSS referencing.

Package Description:

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week.  Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation:

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.