Council Tax Officer / Revenues & Benefits Officer

Neway International Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking experienced Council Tax Officers to work with Lewisham Council. This temporary position involves handling customer enquiries in a busy call centre as well as supporting back-office functions. Candidates must have previous experience in revenues and benefits administration and be able to manage complex queries effectively. This role offers competitive pay rates, with the opportunity to contribute to the community's revenue collection services.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in Revenues & Benefits / Council Tax administration.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced call centre environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer Council Tax accounts and update databases.
• Maximise debt collection in line with regulations.
• Respond to customer enquiries via various channels.
• Process applications for discounts and reliefs.

Skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of legislation and procedures

IT skills

Ability to handle complex queries

Customer care commitment

Tools

Revenues systems (e.g., Civica)

Job description

Neway International have a Job Opportunity for a Council Tax Officer / Revenues & Benefits Officer to join our client based with Lewisham Council.

Role Overview

Lewisham Council is seeking four experienced Council Tax / Revenues & Benefits Officers (SO1) to join the Resident and Business Services team. This is a temporary assignment to support a peak in workload, ensuring the effective administration and collection of Council Tax and other revenue streams. You will be part of a busy call centre team, handling customer enquiries, and during quieter periods, you will also support back‑office functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer Council Tax accounts and other revenue streams in line with legislation.
• Maximise collection of debts in accordance with financial procedures and statutory regulations.
• Respond effectively to enquiries via telephone, letter, email, and face‑to‑face contact.
• Process applications for discounts, exemptions, and reliefs, ensuring fraud prevention and detection.
• Manage difficult queries and complaints, providing accurate and timely responses.
• Liaise with Enforcement Agents, solicitors, and other external bodies to ensure effective collection.
• Submit irrecoverable debts for write‑off in line with audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate databases, records, and statistics to meet audit and accreditation standards.
• Undertake proactive and outreach work to improve collection rates.
• Mentor and support junior staff as required, contributing to training and service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, equal opportunities, and council policies.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous experience in Revenues & Benefits / Council Tax administration.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to handle complex queries and complaints.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced call centre environment and manage back‑office tasks.
• Strong IT skills and experience using revenues systems (e.g., Civica) desirable.
• Commitment to customer care, equality, and continuous professional development.

Assignment Details

Start Date: 24 November 2025
End Date: 19 May 2026 (26 weeks)
Hours: 35 per week
Shift Times: 09:00 – 17:00, Monday to Friday

Pay Rates

PAYE: £21.45 per hour
Umbrella/Ltd: £27.39 per hour

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic team at Lewisham Council, where your expertise will directly contribute to supporting residents and ensuring effective revenue collection. You’ll gain valuable experience in a high‑performing local authority while making a real difference to the community.