First Steps Officer

Undertake telephone appointments visits to customer homes or public locations and assist customers with their application for Housing Benefit andor Council Tax Support discounts and exemptions. Provide basic Revenues and Benefits processing duties as required. Reach out to vulnerable customers to ensure they are receiving the support and benefits needed together with supporting the repayment of outstanding Council Tax.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• Support members of the public:
  • Completing applicationschanges in relation to Housing & Council Tax benefit claims;
  • Signpost to other benefit & support agents;
  • Agree and maintain payment arrangements
• Work with Citizens Advice and other Support Agencies to ensure vulnerable customers are receiving the support they need.
• Gatherverify evidence in support of the benefit application.
• Conduct Council TaxNNDR inspection visits/appointments and give advice relating to all manner of discounts and exemptions.
• Hand deliver notification of recovery intentionoutcomes to members of the publicbusinesses.
• Produce reports relating to the visits.
• Provide basic Revenues & Benefits processing duties.
• Play an active role in weekly and monthly employee review (121) meetings.
• Ensure knowledge is kept up to date in relation to Liberata and site policies.
• The post holder is required to take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their work; to comply with the Health and Safety Policy and to co-operate with Liberata on health and safety matters at all times.

Essential Skills and Attributes:

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with a minimum 5 grades A-C or levels 9 4 including English and Maths.
• Experienceunderstanding in meeting targets and developing own performance.
• Good use of various IT systems and applications including word excel access etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills and working with a high level of attention to detail.
• Good organisation and planning skills.
• Previous experience providing good customer service and ability to problem solve.
• Experience of working as part of team to achieve departmental objectives.
• Experience of being able to adapt to changing situations .

Security vetting and checks:

All successful candidates must meet the governments Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

• External candidates: The BPSS includes a basic criminal record check (for unspent convictions). There will also be an Adverse Financial Check (AFC) which will be renewed annually. An Adverse Finance Check looks for CCJs IVAs bankruptcies Scottish decrees or Administration Orders.
• Internal candidates: An annual adverse finance check will be required.

If you do not meet these requirements your offer may be withdrawn.

Liberata is a leading business service provider to public and private sector organisationsthroughout the pride ourselves in revolutionisingour clientsoperations using our expertiseand innovative solutions across a wide range of services including Revenues & Benefits Finance and Accounting HR & Payroll and Customer aim is to work in partnership with our clients to assistthem in becoming more efficient; leveragingour best in classbusiness process outsourcing and operational transformation expertise.

Liberata is committed to creating opportunities for its employees its clientsand its passion for process and an intense client focus ensures that we deliver an award winningservice and our entire workforce are encouraged to demonstrateour company values.

Liberata aims to give each employee the opportunity to make a real difference; be involved in shaping the growth of the business and encourage you to try new things! If you are hardworking enthusiasticand seeking a challenge we are the organisationfor you.