Income recovery officer

Income Recovery experience is essential.

*Candidates would need to attend Oldbury for training 5 days per week (9am - 5pm) for the first 8 weeks. Job will be office based.

We are looking for Income Recovery Officers for an opportunity to join a highly efficient and professional service that places itself in a strong position to meet the challenges and demands of maximising income collection and sustaining tenancies at every opportunity.

The Service is responsible for managing, monitoring and recovering arrears of rent and other housing related charges from current and former tenants. A key objective is to combine the effective recovery of arrears with the provision of a high-quality customer-focused advice, assistance and support service. You will be a key player in ensuring prompt and effective early action is taken to control and recover outstanding arrears to eviction stage and other associated debts.

To assist with matching they have advised that ideally they are looking for candidates with Social Housing background. The perfect match would be an Income Management background but they appreciate that is quite niche. They provide training, but also need to have someone to have an understanding of the service

Literacy level 2 (or equivalent) and Numeracy Level 2 (or equivalent)
A minimum of 2 year's experience of working in a rent arrears recovery/income collection environment
Excellent negotiation and communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to work with minimal supervision
A performance-driven work ethos
A desire to help customers to sustain their tenancies
Highly organised and understand the importance of attention to detail
A good working knowledge of arrears management procedures and processes
Ability to use own initiative when supporting vulnerable customers and dealing with complex arrears cases
A good working knowledge of Universal Credit
Knowledge of Local AuthorityYour current duties and responsibilities are:-

1. To contribute to the provision of a high quality, customer focused Income and Money Advice Service with a focus on prevention and tenancy sustainment whilst maximising the councils rental income stream. To build effective professional relationships with customers and stakeholders, maintaining professionalism at all times.

2. To undertake all aspects of income and debt recovery casework in accordance with relevant procedures, ensuring that action is prompt and appropriate utilising all avenues of recovery including but not limited to letter, telephone, SMS messaging, e-mail and home visits.

3. To prepare cases for submission to Court and represent SMBC in the County Court on possession and eviction cases as required. To be fully conversant with County Court procedures including liaison with Court officials, Bailiffs and Legal Services as required.

4. To evaluate the financial position of customers who have an outstanding debt and are finding it difficult to make payments, to provide customers with practical support and advice to clear their debt, manage and budget their income to sustain their tenancy, referring customers to internal and external support/advice agencies where appropriate.

5. To provide initial advice on housing benefit/universal credit and other welfare benefits liaising with and making referrals to the relevant agencies, ensuring that regular updates are obtained to secure an effective outcome

6. To maintain accurate records/files relating to customers with an outstanding debt, ensuring that such records are updated in a timely manner, are clear, accurate and concise and where relevant identify any key legal dates/outcomes.

7. To keep up to date with policies, procedures and legislation affecting the Service Area and post.

8. To assist the Rents Team Co-ordinator in collating the required information in order to effectively respond to MP and Councillor enquiries.

Please apply online for this vacancy as CVs are required for this role.

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