Senior Debt Court Officer

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

Job summary

A local government organization is looking for a Senior Debt Court Officer to effectively manage debt collection processes for the Council. Responsibilities include preparing and presenting cases in County Court and Magistrates Court. The ideal candidate should have strong negotiation skills and knowledge of debt collection processes, along with experience in managing difficult conversations with the public. This position offers an annual salary between £39,027 and £44,463, along with flexible working options and generous leave entitlements.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Excellent training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience managing difficult conversations.
• Knowledge of various debt collection processes.
• Experience attending court hearings for debt cases.

Responsibilities

• Manage processes for collecting debt owed to the Council.
• Attend and present cases at County Court and Magistrates Court.
• Handle complex debt-related cases and engage with the public.

Skills

Confidence in managing difficult conversations

Knowledge of debt collection processes

Understanding of Money Claims on Line process

Knowledge of County Court processes

Understanding of the Charging Order and Bankruptcy processes

Experience using negotiation skills

Experience of public communication

Knowledge of Means Enquiry process for Committal Hearings

Job description

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Job Description

Senior Debt Court Officer

Grade E

Salary: £39,027 - £44,463 per annum

12 Months Fixed Term Contract

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 in the finalists in 2012 and achieved a Bronze Award in 2013.

The team are currently looking for an experienced Senior Debt Court Officer to join this dynamic team. 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 be taking 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.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 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

In return for your time and commitment, we offer:

• 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: 30th December 2025
• Internal & External Applications: 11th January 2026

Interview date: TBC

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:

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About Us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

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.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council