Benefits Assessor, Pullar House

Job Description

Benefits Assessor - (Fixed Term Until 30 September 2026) PKC11970
£28,249 - £30,351
Pullar House, Perth

A rewarding opportunity has arisen for the post of Benefits Assessor. This is an essential role which involves the administration, assessment, communication and maintenance of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction awards. As part of a busy team within the Revenues and Benefits service, the successful candidate will be responsible for the management of a caseload.

The main duties of this post include:

- The administration, assessment, calculation and maintenance of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction entitlement in accordance with the relevant legislation
- Prioritisation of tasks to ensure that accurate decisions are made within timescales that allow for payment and award, preventing financial hardship
- Work as part of a busy team providing support to colleagues to achieve the best outcome for our customers
- Communicate with our customers regarding decisions, outcomes and reasoning using a variety of methods (including face to face, telephone, email and in writing)
- Provide a service to our customers which is considerate of confidentiality and handle sensitive information demonstrating dignity and respect
- Accurate management of records, notes and files to ensure compliance with appropriate legislation and audit requirements
- Working with internal and external customers to ensure that our customers receive support, guidance and advice from other services both inside and outside of the Council.

For purposes of connection and collaboration with colleagues and with the community we serve, our full-time employees work on site for a minimum of 2 days per week with the arrangements for part time employees being agreed on a basis which will ensure that they benefit to an equivalent degree. Our FAQs on hybrid working can be found here Hybrid working FAQs. We are committed to being a more inclusive employer - to ensure we can consider any reasonable adjustments, please either contact the recruiting manager to discuss any individual circumstances, discuss at interview or, if you prefer, after any conditional offer is made.

Requirements

To be effective in this role you will:

-  Have excellent prioritisation and organisation skills to a manage a workload with minimal supervision.
- Work as part of a team
- Be able to thrive in a fast paced and demanding environment
- Have the ability to interpret legislation and effectively communicate decisions.
-  Demonstrate the ability to apply attention to detail and utilise arithmetical skills to ensure accurate decisions and payment of public funds.
- Exercise knowledge and understanding of the wider welfare system. 
-  Be customer focused.  Use a variety of communication methods to deliver a high standard of customer service which will show understanding, empathy and awareness of our customer's circumstances.  
- Demonstrate sensitivity when handling information, maintain confidentiality and support our customers with dignity and respect.
- Maintain a positive approach and be willing to make an effective contribution to the continuous improvement of service provision
- Work with others both internally and externally in order to ensure that our customers receive the right help, support and advice at the earliest opportunity via onward referral processes
- Be open to enhancing skills and play an active role in personal development
- Have excellent IT skills with a good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office 365 suite of packages
- Have a good knowledge of Local Government services and purpose

There is no requirement for a recognised technical qualification, however, the successful candidate must possess excellent numeracy and communication skills which can be demonstrated through attained qualifications or relevant experience.

The Individual

For further information regarding the post, contact Rose McAninch, Benefits Officer on 01738 476084 or Gordon Stewart, Team Leader on 01738 476139.

When applying for this post, please provide current contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees, one should be your present or most recent employer. However, if you are an existing employee of Perth & Kinross Council, you are only required to provide reference details for your current employer.

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Please APPLY ONLINE. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of mandatory checks including eligibility to work in the UK, Disclosure Scotland or PVG, qualifications, references, and fitness to undertake the post. This may also include an Overseas Criminal Records Check if you have spent time living overseas.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender.

What we can do for you

If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.   

A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

For more information about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland, look at our Jobs, careers and employment page.