We are looking for enthusiastic and positive individuals to work as part of, and to provide advice, support and mentoring to a team responsible for the administration of and processing applications for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

You will also work alongside teams working in hardship applications, maintaining an accurate Council Tax Base and Non-Domestic Rates Rating List and maximising collection of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Housing Benefit overpayments.

We are looking to appoint to permanent, primarily, full time posts across our benefit assessment teams including the quality team.

Full time positions are 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with the position to be based at Howden House Office.

We currently operate a hybrid working pattern.

For this role you will need a range of skills and experience including: -

• An in-depth working knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support assessment, legislation, policies and procedures by being an experienced skilled benefits practitioner
• A good practical understanding of welfare benefits and tax credits and their relationship with Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
• A detailed understanding of a customer focussed approach to service delivery and the needs of service users
• Excellent I.T. skills including proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 applications and extensive working experience of Benefits software systems and workflow management systems
• Effective communication skills and an ability to explain information to a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrates good analytical and problem-solving skills and a good working understanding of standards and frameworks which support assessment and decision making

This challenging role requires a keen commitment to teamwork, exceptional communication and customer-focused skills and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of internal and external organisations and stakeholders.

All successful candidates will be required to complete a Basic DBS check.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

It is a great time to join us, and we welcome your application.

Please carefully read the job description and person specification for this post before completing your application and if you would like to find out more about the post, please make enquiries with any of the following Benefit Team Leaders below:

Steve Wylde (Steven.Wylde2@sheffield.gov.uk)

Elizabeth O’Brien (Elizabeth.OBrien2@sheffield.gov.uk)

Craig Lucas (Craig.Lucas2@sheffield.gov.uk)

Applicants to apply on Sheffield City Council website – we do not accept CV’s

Link to website:

https://ce0369li.webitrent.com/ce0369li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=658647Iqms&VACANCY_ID=117842YTUD