Sundry Debt Officer - Part time

South Hams District Council; Totnes; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

South Hams District Council in Totnes is seeking a part-time Sundry Debt Officer to join our Benefits team. The role covers administration, billing, collection and recovery of sundry debts, housing benefit overpayments and BID levies, with a focus on fair customer treatment.

The ideal candidate will have debt recovery experience, strong negotiation and communication skills, and the ability to work in a hybrid pattern.

Qualifications

• Experience in debt recovery environment and multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage challenging conversations confidently and professionally.
• Excellent customer service and solutions-focused approach.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience using a case management system for processing work.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines in a performance-driven team.

Responsibilities

• Administer, bill, collect and recover sundry debts, housing benefit overpayments and BID levies.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure fair customer treatment.
• Support income collection objectives through effective recovery actions.

Skills

Debt recovery experience

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Analytical skills

Case management system

workload prioritisation

Tools

Case management system

Job description

Are you an experienced debt recovery professional looking for your next challenge? We are seeking a motivated and customer-focused Sundry Debt Officer to join our team on a part time basis.

In this key role, you will be responsible for the effective administration, billing, collection and recovery of a range of debts, including Sundry Debts, Housing Benefit Overpayments and Business Improvement District (BID) levies. You will play an important role in maximising income collection while ensuring customers are treated fairly and professionally.

We're looking for someone who combines strong debt recovery experience with excellent communication and relationship-building skills and we welcome applications from candidates with experience in both the public and private sectors. While experience within local government will be advantageous, it is not essential. We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate strong debt recovery skills, a customer-focused approach and commitment to achieving positive collection outcomes.

You will have:

Experience of working in a debt recovery environment and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

The ability to manage challenging conversations confidently and professionally.

Excellent customer service skills and a solutions-focused approach.

Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Experience of using a case management system for processing work.

The ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines in a performance driven team.

Please note the successful candidate will require a satisfactory basic DBS check.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact David Hart, Benefits Team Leader, on 01803 861485 or [e-mail] or Martin Pound, Principal Accountant, on 01803 861296 or [e-mail]

Interviews are expected to be held week commencing Monday 14 December 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Sundry Debt Officer - Part time

Company: South Hams District Council Salary: £29,542 to £33,119 a year, pro rata Hours: Part-time Location: Totnes, TQ9 5NE Working pattern: Hybrid - 3 days remote Job type: Temporary Posting date: 10 Nov 2026 Closing date: 29 Nov 2026

Summary

Are you an experienced debt recovery professional looking for your next challenge? We are seeking a motivated and customer-focused Sundry Debt Officer to join our team on a part time basis.

In this key role, you will be responsible for the effective administration, billing, collection and recovery of a range of debts, including Sundry Debts, Housing Benefit Overpayments and Business Improvement District (BID) levies. You will play an important role in maximising income collection while ensuring customers are treated fairly and professionally.

We're looking for someone who combines strong debt recovery experience with excellent communication and relationship-building skills and we welcome applications from candidates with experience in both the public and private sectors. While experience within local government will be advantageous, it is not essential. We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate strong debt recovery skills, a customer-focused approach and commitment to achieving positive collection outcomes.

You will have:

Experience of working in a debt recovery environment and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

The ability to manage challenging conversations confidently and professionally.

Excellent customer service skills and a solutions-focused approach.

Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Experience of using a case management system for processing work.

The ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines in a performance driven team.

Please note the successful candidate will require a satisfactory basic DBS check.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact David Hart, Benefits Team Leader, on 01803 861485 or [e-mail] or Martin Pound, Principal Accountant, on 01803 861296 or [e-mail]

Closing date: Sunday 29 November 2026

Interviews are expected to be held week commencing Monday 14 December 2026

Essential requirements

You will have:Experience of working in a debt recovery environment and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.Strong negotiation and influencing skills.The ability to manage challenging conversations confidently and professionally.Excellent customer service skills and a solutions-focused approach.Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.Experience of using a case management system for processing work.The ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines in a performance driven team.

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

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