Senior Benefit Officer - REQ00622

INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA MYSELF

This vacancy is internal and open to applications from employees of North Lanarkshire Council and Associated Employers* only. The “Apply now” button is not activated for this role. Please log into your MySelf account for further instructions on how to apply as an internal candidate.

*Fusion Assets,NLP LLP

Chief Executive’s Office

Finance

Senior Benefit Officer

Salary - NLC9 - £30,344 - £35,151

Based in the Benefits Team you will report to the Benefit Section Team Leader and will carry out the tasks associated with running an efficient and effective Benefits service.

Your responsibilities will include assisting in the day-to-day delivery of the service of the administration and processing of claims in relation to Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction Free School Meals and Clothing Grant claims and Blue Badge applications, utilising and developing the integrated Open Revenues system and participating in ad hoc projects and departmental initiatives in relation to these benefits. You will also be responsible for the efficient operation, administration, and management of the section with specific responsibility for DHP administration. Responsibility for analysing and processing of all DHP applications and customer communication/notification. This will involve all actions required to assess and award DHP.

Liaison with internal and external stakeholders including NLC Housing Managers, NLC Housing Arrears Officers, Registered Social Landlords, Private Landlords, Universal Credit, Scottish Government and DWP.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, good communication, literacy and numeracy skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team are all considered essential qualities.

You must be educated to HNC/SVQ3 or equivalent in a relevant discipline with extended experience of working in a Revenues and Benefits environment. In addition, you will have experience of working with Open Revenues software, processing claims, and dealing with the public. An IRRV Benefits Technician or equivalent qualification would be desirable.

The successful candidates will be subject to a criminal records check provided by Disclosure Scotland.

Working here at North Lanarkshire Council

If you’re considering a career with us, you’ll be keen to know what’s in it for you. We have a great package of benefits available, from health and wellbeing to finances and family. This includes 27 days annual leave and 6 public holidays*, and a wide range of offers available to you through our NLLife reward site. We also have a full package of learning and development through our learning academy LearnNL to help you reach your full potential and further your career.

For more information on local authority careers visit the myjobscotland career hub

North Lanarkshire Council are Happy to Talk Flexible Working, we operate a Smarter Working Policy.

Click here to see our Recruitment Charter.

*For all casual/sessional roles, you will receive 12.1% of your hourly rate for every hour worked in total recompense for annual leave, including public holidays. These rates will be indicated separately on your payslip. You will only be paid for the hours that you work.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who consider themselves to be disabled, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

We have also adopted the Armed Forces Community Covenant to show our support for service personnel, veterans and their families. We offer a guaranteed interview for service leavers, spouses, reservists and veterans, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to #KeepingThePromise. This means that if you have ever been in care (looked after at home with a social worker, lived with a relative other than your parents, experienced foster, residential or secure care) you are entitled to a guaranteed interview for this post, as long as you meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description. This is one way North Lanarkshire is demonstrating our commitment to supporting Care-Experienced People.

The Plan for North Lanarkshire is to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. The Council recognises that work is an important part of adult life and is critical to our wellbeing and shaping how we live. The Fair Work Convention’s Framework defines Fair Work as work that offers effective voice, fulfilment, opportunity, respect and security. We believe Fair Work can boost creativity, realise untapped potential and increase productivity. To find out more click on the link.

Alternative Application Packs can be requested in other formats for example, Large Print, Braille, and Audio. To request an alternative Application Pack please phone 01698 403151.

The following link contains our Easy Read documents which will help explain the process and what happens during the selection process: Easy Read – My NL

***PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVS IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY YOU MUST ENSURE AN APPLICATION FORM IS SUBMITTED. ANY CV SUBMISSIONS WILL BE DISREGARDED.***