Job Description

Reference:
25-28587
Job title:
Recovery Officer
Directorate:
Finance
Service:
Revenue -
Closing date:
18/07/2025 10:00
Job type/Hours:
Permanent | 37 Hour
Salary:
33,366 - 35,235 a year
Pay Scale:
S3
Location(s):
Caernarfon

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this

Information Pack


Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.


We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.


(Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)


For further information about this post please contact

Edward Bleddyn Jones

on

01286 682841

Interview date to be confirmed.


Application forms and further details available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH


Tel: 01286 679076


E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 18/07/2025

I

f

you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.



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Personal attributes

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Essential

Confident, conscientious, ability to work without supervision and complete work on time.


Be able to communicate effectively and discuss taxation and recovery activities with officers, the public, elected members, in Court and in a way that reflects the status of the post.


Be able to deal with a range of complex and contentious matters.

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Desirable

Seek opportunities for professional development.


Willingness and perseverance in realising personal self-development.

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Qualifications and relevant training

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Essential

A level or equivalent.


Degree or similar qualification


Training relevant to the requirements of the job.

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Desirable

Evidence of ongoing personal development in the field of taxation or recovery and in wider management skills.


Professional Qualification

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Relevant experience

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Essential

Experience of working in the recovery field.


Experience of dealing with challenging individuals.

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Desirable

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Skills and specialist knowledge

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Essential

A robust understanding of the law, procedure and local taxation matters.


An appreciation of the significance of Procedure Rules and other aspects of corporate governance.


Thorough knowledge about the activities of local authorities.


Ability to conduct quality management arrangements of the highest standard to ensure a high and consistent quality to all prosecution and debt collection activities.

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Desirable

An understanding of the principles of performance management and efficiency improvement.


Planning and carrying out supervised work including writing and producing reports.

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Language requirements

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Listening and Speaking - Higher

Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions.Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.

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Reading and Understanding - Higher

Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal.Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.

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Writing - Higher

Present written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinion in Welsh and English (help is available to check the work).



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Purpose of the post

To ensure that the people of Gwynedd are central to everything we do. Lead and supervise the recovery process to ensure an effective and efficient recovery in accordance with the unit's objective/aim. Represent the Council in the courts.
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Responsibility for functions

Lead and advise the recovery team on all aspects of the work. Ensure the best use of other general recovery arrangements as appropriate.
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Main duties

To carry out the day-to-day work of the recovery service for all debts owed to the Council including council tax, non-domestic rates, business improvement districts, general debts and any other debts. Ensure implementation in accordance with the recovery policies and targets of the unit, service, department and Council. Run the court recovery programme from the termination of an individual/company's right to pay in instalments. Provide expert support to the assistants on complex issues. Ensure that court proceedings for a Liability Order application are provided in good time, by using resources (computers, software, stationery) to ensure that a complaint is made in accordance with the law. Deal with enquiries and objections by the public to the Council's request before the Court date. Attend the magistrates' court to discuss options with the taxpayers/debtors so that a way forward can be found without having to conduct the hearing. Take the case before the Magistrates, ensuring that the Council's reputation is protected. Arrange that proper records of Court proceedings are taken and that a record of the Orders is listed with the Clerk. Prepare and send Liability Order Notice letters and then sort the recovery work in accordance with the most appropriate recovery method: agreement, deductions from income support, salary deductions, etc. In cases where the debt cannot be recovered by 'agreement', arrange for an external agency (bailiff) to collect the debt, and ensure that this happens as soon as possible after the Court hearing. Co-ordinate the day-to-day work that is sent to the external agencies and deal with the paperwork when it is returned. Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Human Rights Act, and coordinate with the Legal Service as required. Consider and act on 'unusual' options of recovery such as charging orders, bankruptcy proceedings, etc. In conjunction with the Manager, maintain a code of practice on the work with external agencies and other services within the Council, e.g. CAB/bailiff companies/Shelter/housing service, monitoring and evaluating the work according to the code. Hold regular meetings and work closely with the external agencies. Create and retain a database of debtors who are bankrupt and keep a detailed record of any amounts to be included in the bankruptcy case. Prepare regular reports of irrecoverable accounts/debts for write-off and send them for appropriate approval. Contribute towards the formulation of a service plan in the field of recovery and ensure the development and implementation of the Service Improvement Plan as required. Reconcile payments received, ensuring they reach the correct accounts. Conduct credit investigations on behalf of the taxation service and the grants service in the Housing Department. Identify any weaknesses in the way the assistants deal with the recovery aspect and work collaboratively with others within the services to develop procedures and implementation guidelines to overcome these. Responsibility for self-development. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy. Operate within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality. Responsibility for managing information in accordance with the Council's information management standards and guidelines. Ensure that personal information is handled in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Commitment to reducing the Council's carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council's Carbon Footprint. Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary and responsibility level of the post. Responsible for reporting any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
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Special circumstances

The post-holder will be expected to complete a successful DBS check. * Because of the need for specific systemic information at different key periods during the financial year, the post-holder will be expected to occasionally work unsociable hours.