Revenues Enforcement Officer

Kingston Council; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Kingston upon Thames is looking for an experienced Enforcement Agent to handle council tax and business rates enforcement. You will manage challenging debt situations, ensure compliance with regulations, and work towards maximizing collection rates. The role requires effective communication and experience in dealing with debtors. Flexible working hours are expected, including some unsociable hours.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Supportive management team

Qualifications

• Experience in levying distress or similar.
• Experience dealing with debtor enquiries.
• Ability to manage difficult situations.

Responsibilities

• Carry out enforcement duties regarding revenue debts.
• Manage personal safety during enforcement work.
• Liaise with safeguarding services for vulnerable debtors.

Skills

Effective communication

Risk management

Dealing with difficult people

Target-oriented

Customer care commitment

Self-motivation

Education

Certificated Enforcement Agent

Job description

About the Role and our Ideal Candidate

Being a key member of the Revenue Team, the postholder will be an expert on Council Tax & Business Rates enforcement processes and the regulations. They will undertake enforcement action to maximise collection rates and in so doing manage difficult situations including hard to reach debtors and debtors who are experiencing hardship.

Responsibilities

• Carry out enforcement duties in relation to revenue debts (including council tax, business rates, business improvement district and housing benefit overpayments) in accordance with Ministry of Justice enforcement regulations regarding taking control of goods and any other relevant legislation.
• Undertake the full range of enforcement duties, calling on debtors at their address to obtain payment, execute enforcement notices, seize goods, organise the removal of goods, liaise with removal and storage companies and auction houses and where necessary make enquiries to trace the whereabouts of absconders and serve warrants.
• Make on the spot decisions about proceeding with enforcement and any other action posed by the individual circumstances e.g. volatile customers, vulnerable customers, illegal activity etc.
• Manage the risk associated with enforcement work to ensure personal safety including assessing the risk at each stage of the enforcement process when calling on individual debtors.
• Where vulnerability is identified liaise with safeguarding (Adults and Children) to improve the debtors position.

Qualifications

As a certificated Enforcement Agent you will have experience in levying distress or similar. Experience of dealing with debtors enquiries in an Enforcement Agent collection environment or similar and of discussing debt repayment solutions with customers.

• Able to communicate effectively
• Able to manage risk to prevent escalation and deterioration of situations whilst dealing with debtors
• Ability to deal with difficult and challenging people and diffuse situations
• Ability to work to targets (minimum number of calls)
• A commitment to customer care and quality issues
• Possess a high level of self-motivation and able to work unsociable hours (between 6am –and 9 pm)

About Us

The Revenues & Benefits Service includes the collection of Council Tax, National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR), Business Improvement District (BIDs). The Service plays a fundamental role in the financial well being of the Authority. The efficient collection of Council Tax and Non Domestic Rates (under the retention scheme) maximises income available to the authority to meet its strategic aims and objectives. The Service maintains an accurate database of liable persons, reviews and decides discounts and exemptions and undertakes a debt recovery procedure through the Magistrates Court, County Court (bankruptcies and charging orders), Fines and Enforcement Agent action.

As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.

In addition we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff supported by our IT infrastructure, Google Chromebooks and Google Apps, which have acted as a key enabler for collaborative and streamlined working.