Services Assistant

Overview

The Rent Service is part of the Finance Directorate of Birmingham City Council and has significant responsibilities for income collection to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). We are responsible for the annual collection of £300 million housing rents and also have responsibility for the recovery of former tenancy debt and Housing Benefit Over payments from Local Authority tenants. Our purpose is to maximise the collection of rent by providing our tenants with advice and support in order to prevent rent debt.

We aim to promote self-sufficiency and identify vulnerable tenants at an early stage; we promote and maintain a strong payment culture and maximise income through receipt of relevant welfare benefits. We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Income Services Assistant; ideally you will have experience of income collection and communicating with customers in a target driven environment. You should be able to work well as part of a team, with evidence of planning and organisational skills in order to allow the delivery of tasks within set deadlines, effectively prioritising tasks and having good attention to detail.

• Assisting with the preparation of forms and correspondence to support the execution of the legal process required by the BCC Rent Service
• Undertake the administration of Garage accounts held by BCC Customers
• Undertake the administration of Arrears Direct/Third Party Deduction requests for relevant BCC Customers
• To have sufficient knowledge of computerised systems in order to interrogate computer systems, input/retrieve data as required, produce documentation as required to facilitate the duties of the Rent Service and successful candidates may have extensive knowledge of welfare benefits to include Universal Credit, together with extensive knowledge of Housing Legislation in the context of income recovery and experience of dealing with internal and external customers.

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate the ability to work well as part of a team and able to organise work and set priorities. Previous experience of working with financial services and both experience of debt recovery and scheduling are desirable. The role is hybrid however the post holder would be required to work from Birmingham City Council buildings as business needs dictate.

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city. The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence. There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:

• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.

We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making.

We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

• Excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.