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About this job

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Council Tax team as a Council Tax Officer. We are responsible for billing and collecting over £100 million each year from approximately 80,000 households across the borough. This income is vital in funding essential council services that support our communities.

This is not a typical debt collection role - our approach is balanced, resident-focused, and driven by a commitment to both maximising collection and supporting the financial wellbeing of our residents. We take a modern, holistic approach to collection to tailor our approach and deliver fair, proportionate outcomes.

The role is varied and challenging, with all team members contributing across the full range of Council Tax functions, including billing, collection, and enforcement. A knowledge of Council Tax legislation and its practical application is essential.

You will work collaboratively across Revenues services, including Rents, General Income (Sundry Debt), Housing Benefit Overpayments, and Business Rates, ensuring a coordinated approach to collecting income owed to the Council. The role also involves close partnership working with Welfare services and external organisations to ensure vulnerable residents receive appropriate support. Supporting individuals in financial difficulty and helping them regain control of their finances is a core priority of the team.
A key aspect of the role is the ability to assess cases effectively to identify affordability.

This role requires sound judgement, and the ability to interpret and assess a wide range of information to inform decision-making. The role also includes investigative work, such as tracing “gone away” debtors and proactively pursuing cases of persistent non-payment. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual who is committed to delivering a fair, effective, and responsive service.

Special requirements for this post

Not applicable

About you

You are currently working in local government and have experience dealing with Council Tax administration. You have a good understanding of the Council Tax process and its interactions with other Revenues, Welfare and Support services.

You can demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent customer service, ensuring residents receive the best outcomes.

You have demonstrable communication skills, both verbal and written and can explain complex matters in plain English. You can process a wide range of information to extract relevant key facts.

You work well under pressure, both independently and part of a team. You are driven and can work to set targets. Your organisational skills mean that you can prioritise a workload of competing deadlines.

You are a creative thinker and will challenge the way things are done to improve the way the service is delivered. You are fully committed to your on-going learning and professional self-development.

About us

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is one of London’s most diverse and dynamic boroughs. We are proud of our strong commitment to tackling the root causes of the challenges facing our communities, guided by a clear ethos of leaving no one behind.

LBBD is a supportive and inclusive employer, dedicated to helping our staff thrive and reach their full potential. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support your well-being, professional development, and work–life balance. These include generous annual leave entitlement, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, home-working and employee well-being support services.

Through our Perkbox scheme, staff can enjoy discounts across a wide range of high street retailers and local businesses, as well as savings on travel, holidays, dining, theatre, cinema, and family attractions.

At LBBD, we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful difference to the lives of residents every day.