Job Opportunity: Specialist Court & Enforcement Officer
Role Overview
As a Specialist Court & Enforcement Officer, your primary focus will be the recovery of Council Tax, Business Rates, and BID Levy arrears by taking appropriate enforcement actions in line with relevant legislation and council policies.
You will represent the Council in various courts—Magistrates Court, County Court, and High Court—to ensure the effective collection of outstanding debts.
Additionally, you will collaborate with internal departments to manage cases efficiently, ensuring a coherent and professional debt management strategy across the council’s portfolio.
You will also oversee the contractual relationship with external enforcement and debt collection agencies, monitor their performance, and address complaints or contractual matters as needed.
A Basic DBS check is required for this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage own caseload, prioritizing cases based on service priorities and targets.
- Negotiate complex payment arrangements with debtors via telephone, in-person, or email, in accordance with the council’s debt collection policies.
- Represent the council in legal proceedings at Magistrates, County, and High Court to maximize debt recovery.
- Instruct legal representatives to secure debts through charging orders on properties, enforcement of sales, bankruptcy, or winding-up petitions.
- Provide an efficient and customer-focused service in administering billing, collection, and recovery of:
- Council Tax
- Housing Benefit Overpayments
- Business Rates
- BID Levy
- Work closely with internal departments to ensure effective debt collection and a single-view approach to debt management.
Required Skills & Experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with customers, officers, and managers at all levels.
- Ability to liaise with senior management and elected members within the council.
- Experience in debt recovery or credit management, with knowledge of collection and enforcement legislation.
- Ability to manage and develop relationships with internal teams and external enforcement agencies.
- Strong negotiation skills to handle complex debtor cases.
- Ability to work autonomously and manage own workload efficiently.
- Quick decision-making skills, especially in handling complex customer queries and court proceedings.
- Public speaking and presentation skills, with confidence to address court officials and stakeholders.
- A proactive approach to change management, embracing improvements in debt collection processes.
- Understanding of equality, diversity, and safeguarding policies, ensuring compliance with council policies and legal requirements.
Educational & Professional Requirements
- GCSE or equivalent qualifications with a pass in English & Mathematics.
- Experience in credit management or knowledge of debt collection and enforcement legislation.
- IRRV Technician qualification (preferred) or willingness to obtain within 18 months.
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