Senior Council Tax & Business Rates Officer

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £19.45 - £21.75

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Flexi time is applicable.
To start asap.

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Council Tax & Business Rates Officer to help lead our team in delivering a high quality, customer focused service.

In this key supervisory role, you will coordinate team resources to ensure workloads are managed efficiently, targets are met, and all work is carried out accurately and in line with legislation, guidance, and Council policies. You’ll support staff development through mentoring, training, and sharing knowledge, fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.

You will take a leading role in ensuring the effective billing, collection, and recovery of Council Tax and Business Rates, monitoring accounts, reducing arrears, and producing robust performance data and management information. The role also includes handling complex cases, customer complaints, and progressing appropriate recovery action.

You’ll work closely with internal colleagues and external agencies to maintain excellent service standards, promote digital-first options such as Direct Debit and e-billing, and support continuous improvements in systems, policies, and procedures. You’ll also provide leadership and guidance when required.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong technical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality public services.

Join us and help deliver a service that supports our communities and reflects East Lothian Council’s vision, values, and commitment to outstanding customer service.

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.

Please Note:
All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.

Job Details

Responsible for the delivery of an effective and efficient service to collect Council Tax and Business Rates income, ensuring that the Council has the finances to deliver high quality services to all residents of East Lothian.

Provide support, guidance and advice to colleagues and external bodies by co ordinating and monitoring the Team’s performance to maximise efficiency of the service provision.

Ensure customers, the team and services are fully supported, and all work complies with the Council's policies, procedures and legislation with a commitment to achieving best value.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
HNC/SVQ Level 3 in IRRV, Business Administration or an equivalent level of knowledge of Business Rates, Sundry Accounts, and Debt Recovery Legislation and/or have relevant working experience in a Revenues, Benefits, Finance or a Customer-focused environment.

Driving Licence
A full current driving licence is desirable for this post.

Level 1 Disclosure Clearance
This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance to allow access to the Public Sector Network. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.