Senior Court Officer

Thurrock Council; Grays; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Grays is looking for a Senior Court Officer for its Debt Management Team. The successful candidate will manage debt collection processes, attend court hearings, and handle difficult conversations with confidence. A comprehensive understanding of debt collection, court procedures, and negotiation skills is essential. The position offers a salary between £39,027 and £44,463 per annum, generous leave, and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Employee assistance program

Excellent training opportunities

Qualifications

• Confidence to manage difficult conversations.
• Full knowledge of the means enquiry process for committal hearings.
• Understanding of charging order, bankruptcy, and committal processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage processes for debt collection portfolios.
• Present cases at County Court and attend hearings.
• Communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Skills

Debt collection processes

Negotiation skills

Communication with the public

Job description

Senior Court Officer – Debt Management Team

Grade E

Salary: £39,027 - £44,463 per annum

12 Months Fixed term

37 Hours per week

Situated on the River Thames, Thurrock is an ambitious unitary with vision and opportunities for its residents and businesses. Thurrock's Debt Management Team is a highly recognised service, having been nominated twice for the IRRV (Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation) Most Improved Team of the Year Award and was a finalist in 2012 and achieved a Bronze Award in 2013.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for effectively managing the major processes involved in the collection of the various portfolios of debt owed to the Council. Whilst working in the Debt Management Team, you will take your selected cases through the court processes by attending and presenting the cases at County Court and attending Magistrates Court hearings for both liability order hearings and committal means enquiry hearings.

Qualifications

• Confidence to be able to manage difficult conversations
• A knowledge of debt collection processes (ideally Council Tax, non‑domestic rates and sundry)
• A knowledge of the Money Claims on Line (MCOL) process
• A knowledge of the County Court processes and methods of enforcement
• A clear understanding of the charging order, bankruptcy and committal processes
• A full knowledge and understanding of the Thurrock fair debt policy
• Experience using negotiation skills
• Experience of communicating with members of the public
• A full knowledge of the means enquiry process for committal hearings

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days rising to 30 after 5 years’ service
• Flexible working to support a good work‑life balance
• An excellent employee assistance programme
• Excellent training opportunities and an established CPD programme
• Reflective supervision and management support

DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at Basic Level is required for this post.

Closing Dates

Redeployment Only Applications: 6th November 2025

Internal and External Applications: 16th November 2025

Interview date: TBC

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.