Collections Officer

Working on behalf of a Local Authority, Aatom Recruitment has an opportunity for Collections Officer on a 6 month contract with a possibility of an extension.

This position will be a total of 35 hours per week, with hours from 09:00am – 17:00pm.

Job Purpose:

The post holder will work as part of a specialist team with responsibility for collecting service charges. They will be required to manage a large portfolio of service charge accounts and to maintain contact with account holders to ensure that payments are kept up to date, issuing letters and statements where necessary. They will be responsible for authorising payment plans and checking that these are maintained. Liaising with other teams as required, they will ensure that customers’ service charge queries are resolved. They will also be responsible for recommending legal action in instances of non-payment.

Job Specific Accountabilities:

• Manage a portfolio of service charge accounts, working to targets set by the Collections Manager.
• Monitor individual accounts, determining and taking appropriate action to ensure that account holders pay service charges in accordance with the obligations under their lease
• Authorise and check payment plans
• Maintain contact with account holders through letter, email, telephone, or face-to-face as appropriate; issue statements and other account documentation on request from the account holder
• Advise the account holder on the legal and statutory basis of service charges as appropriate
• Investigate any issues raised by the account holder with the accounting process, with service charges, and other issues, working closely with other teams within Home Ownership
• To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures, standing orders and financial regulations
• To carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy, taking responsibility, appropriate to the post, for tackling racism and all other oppressive and discriminatory practices, for promoting a positive recognition of differences and community cohesion and must at all times carry out their duties with due regard to the Council’s policies on equalities and the staff code of conduct
• To take responsibility, appropriate to the post for tackling racism and promoting good race, ethnic and community relationships
• To actively promote and uphold the Council’s code of conduct, values, priorities and service standards
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade as directed by management

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant degree or professional qualification or equivalent experience
• A good knowledge of leasehold issues, including but not limited to: service charges; repairs and maintenance responsibilities; current law and legislation
• Broad knowledge and awareness of current issues and developments affecting the management of council housing
• Experience in leasehold management and practice, or of arrears management
• Experience in working as part of a customer-facing team, answering queries through a variety of channels within a customer focused organisation
• Experience of monitoring customer feedback
• Experience of working to performance targets and deadlines and of managing workload to meet targets
• Experience of liaising with resident, homeowner or comparable stakeholder groups
• Experience of working with property management

To get more information about this role and how to apply please contact Jordan.