Apprentice Revenue Officer

Successful candidates will deal with all aspects of Council Tax, working in accordance with statutory regulations and/or discretionary policies.

The role will be varied as you will be dealing with a wide variety of people and ICT systems, being responsible for data input and the processing of information, providing advice and ensuring residents receive accurate bills and correct benefit payments.

Alongside your role in the Council Tax team you will be working to complete the Level 4 Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Apprenticeship qualification through The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV). On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will also be awarded the Certificate of Local Taxation, Revenues and Welfare Benefits (Tech IRRV).

The apprenticeship will take approximately 18 months to complete through a blended approach combining virtual training days, online webinars, work shadowing and workplace mentoring.

More specific responsibilities include:

• Process amendments to the Revenues systems, including changes in liability, discounts, premiums and exemptions and direct debit/instalment requirements, new properties, provisional bandings.
• Answer queries regarding Council Tax liability, discounts, premiums, disregards, exemptions, recovery and enforcement action, by telephone, in writing and via Citizen Access Platform.
• Negotiate and monitor arrangements, within agreed guidelines, for payment of arrears of Council Tax and determine any relevant action including enforcement action such as referral to an Enforcement Agent, Attachment of Earnings, and recommendation for write off.
• Assess, award and review, in accordance with legislation and within agreed guidelines, discounts, premiums, disablement reductions and exemption claims; identify and report more complex cases to the Revenues Manager.
• Prepare cases for Magistrates Court and attend court in order to make arrangements, within agreed guidelines, for payment of arrears of Council Tax and Committal proceedings. 
• Prepare and refer cases to the Council’s Legal Department for Charging Order proceedings.
• To liaise with other council departments and external agencies.
• To identify, prepare, check and authorise, within agreed. guidelines, refunds on Taxpayers accounts or refer for verification/certification and to transfer or reallocate moneys between taxpayers’ accounts /funds.
• Take secure debit and credit card payments in accordance with regulations.
• Identify where additional ratepayer care and support may be required, and signpost/refer accordingly to internal and external welfare support services.
• Trace absconded debtors using all available methods, including conducting credit searches, land registry searches and making appropriate contact with any known employers, former landlords and other local authorities.
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job.

Online, blended learning with live & recorded training/webinars.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be an opportunity to apply for permanent employment in the Council Tax team.

As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you will also receive guidance and support from our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer in applying for opportunities within Halton Borough Council. We are eager to ensure that any apprentice that joins us as an apprentice, is given every chance to secure permanent, long-term employment with us.