JOB DESCRIPTION

SECTION ONE

Directorate: Income & Debt Management
Service: Corporate Debt / Post Title: Debt Recovery Systems Officer
Grade: 22-25
Post Number

SECTION TWO

Responsible to: Business Support Manager

SECTION THREE – Overall purpose of job

·  To manage the debt portfolio in accordance with legislation and Council Policy of
o  Council Tax
o  National Non Domestic Rates
o  Former Tenant Arrears
o  Housing Benefit Over Payments
o  Sundry Debtors (including car parking notices)
·  To provide accurate information to assist with the correct billing and collection of these functions.
·  To provide assistance to the public in writing, by telephone or in person.
·  In the absence of the Court Officer serve Committal Summonses, execute Warrants and ensure the delivery of associated documents to relevant customers and debtors
§  To produce system reports to assist with the recovery of all debts outstanding to KBC

SECTION FOUR – Principal Responsibilities

1.  To provide advice and assistance to the public in writing, by telephone or in person.
2.  Liaise with Benefits Team to ensure correct amounts invoiced
3.  Liase with Housing to ensure correct amounts charged.
4.  Liaise with Council Tax and NNDR to ensure correct amounts charged.
5.  Liaise with Customer Services, Response Centre and Business Support Team to ensure effective and accurate information is given to the customers.
6.  Liaise with Legal Services departments where appropriate and attend courts as required
7.  Produce standard legal documents as required
8.  Deal with routine correspondence with regard to any collection or recovery issue.
9.  Continually review processes and procedures and make recommendations for improvements and maintain written guidance
10.  Issue Reminders notices and summons to Customers.
11.  Deal with standing order and Direct Debit instructions and liaise with banks / building societies as necessary.
12.  Complete financial reconciliation’s as required
13.  Prepare refunds and write-offs and pass these to the appropriate Senior Officer for authorisation.
14.  Make and monitor arrangements for payment.
15.  Monitor Attachment of Earnings and Attachment of Benefits corresponding with employers and benefit agencies both in writing and over the telephone .
16.  Liaise with outside Debt Collection agents and Bailiff agents
17.  Maintain the computer based information systems on all activities.
18.  Maintain up to date welfare benefits information
19.  Attend magistrates court hearings when required to assist the recovery court officer
20.  To ensure compliance with all Council policies with particular reference to the Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and Communication policies.
21.  The concept of team working means that a flexible approach to work areas is required from the post holder. The work areas identified above are not exhaustive, therefore the post holder may from time to time be required to carry out other duties as directed. The level of such duties will not exceed the responsibility levels of the above duties.

SECTION FIVE – Main levels of contact

Internal: Housing Mangers, Housing Benefits, Council Tax, National Non Domestic rates, Legal Services, Revenue services, Customer Services and all other service units.

External: General Public, appropriate Courts, Voluntary organisations including Citizens Advice, Welfare Rights, Tenants Groups, Utility Companies, other Local Authorities, Tracing agents, Collection agents, Bailiff agents, Estate agents, Solicitors.

SECTION SIX – Special features of the post

Out of Hours working is a characteristic of the post for which time off in lieu will be given.

SECTION SEVEN

Job Description prepared by: (Manager) ……………………………
Approved by: (Personnel) ……………………………………………
Agreed by: (Post holder) …………………………………………….. / Date ……………………..
Date ……………………..
Date ……………………..