Income and Recovery Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting for an Income & Recovery Officer on a 3-month contract with a local authority in Wolverhampton. You will support administration, collection and recovery of Council Tax, Business Rates and related debts, while providing high-quality customer service.

You will negotiate payment arrangements, maintain records, and assist vulnerable customers within legislative and council policies, ensuring compliant processes and confidentiality at all times.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-quality customer service in a admin environment.
• Experience handling confidential information with discretion.
• Understanding of debt recovery processes and revenue collection is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Administer records for Council Tax, Business Rates, and other debts.
• Provide advice on liability, discounts, exemptions, and payment arrangements.
• Process correspondence and update customer records in systems.
• Trace debtors using databases and external agencies.
• Pursue outstanding debts with reminders and notices.
• Negotiate affordable repayment plans considering circumstances.
• Identify vulnerable customers and refer to support services.
• Monitor repayment plans and adjust actions as needed.
• Provide guidance on legislation and council procedures.
• Liaise with departments, courts, and external organisations.

Skills

Customer service

Debt recovery

Negotiation

Confidentiality

IT skills

Education

GCSE/Equivalent

NVQ Level 2 in Admin/CS

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database systems

Job description

Wolverhampton, United Kingdom | Posted on 04/08/2026

• Province West Midlands
• Country United Kingdom
• Postal Code WV1

About Us

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors. In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

As an Income & Recovery Officer, you will support the effective administration, collection, and recovery of Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments, and other debts owed to the Council. Working within legislative requirements and council policies, you will provide high-quality customer service, negotiate payment arrangements, maintain accurate records, and contribute to the efficient collection of income while supporting vulnerable customers where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain accurate records relating to Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments, and other council debts.
• Provide professional advice and assistance to customers and their representatives on enquiries relating to liability, discounts, exemptions, payments, and debt recovery via telephone, email, written correspondence, and face-to-face.
• Process correspondence and update customer records using relevant systems and office technology.
• Trace debtors who have relocated using appropriate databases, software, and external agencies.
• Proactively pursue outstanding debts by issuing reminders, summonses, and other statutory notices in accordance with legislation and council procedures.
• Negotiate affordable repayment arrangements, taking into account customers' financial circumstances and levels of vulnerability.
• Identify vulnerable customers and refer them to appropriate internal teams or external support organisations where necessary.
• Monitor repayment arrangements and determine appropriate recovery action where agreements are not maintained.
• Provide advice on current legislation, council policies, and revenue collection processes.
• Liaise with internal departments, courts, enforcement agents, landlords, and external organisations to resolve enquiries and support debt recovery activities.
• Assist with valuation work, refunds, write-offs, and the processing of council tax discounts and reductions, including property inspections where required.
• Support continuous service improvement by providing advice and guidance to colleagues and contributing to efficient working practices.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with Data Protection legislation and council policies at all times.
• Undertake training to maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Carry out any other duties appropriate to the level of the post.

Requirements

• GCSE Grade C/Level 4 (or equivalent) in at least three subjects, or NVQ Level 2 in Administration, Customer Service, or a related qualification.
• Experience working in a customer service or administrative environment.
• Experience dealing with confidential information.
• Previous experience within revenues, benefits, council tax, business rates, or debt recovery is desirable.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and debt recovery processes.
• Understanding of Council Tax and Business Rates legislation is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to negotiate effectively and handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism.
• Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems.
• Ability to work to deadlines and performance targets.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of supporting vulnerable customers and signposting to appropriate services.

Additional Information

Hours per Week: Up to 37 hours per week.