Recovery Officer - CMB2247e

Salary: £34,434 to £35,412 per annum

Hours: 37 per week

Location: Workington

Contract: Temporary (12 month)

Purpose Of The Role

To undertake duties in connection with the effective billing and collection of Council Tax, Non- Domestic Rates & Housing Benefit Overpayments. Ensuring income is received promptly andefficiently.

Main Duties

• To negotiate arrangements on an individual basis for the discharge of debt owed to the
  
  

Council, issuing written confirmation, taking account of personal circumstances, the

Council’s Debt Recovery Policy and any Anti-Poverty and fraud strategies. To monitor

payment of those arrangements until discharge of the debt taking appropriate action if

payment fails.

• To respond to enquiries either in person, by correspondence or by telephone, maintaining
  
  

computerised recovery records to account for changes in address, liability, or payment

method, bringing to the attention of customers any general circumstances where discounts,

reliefs or reductions may apply.

• To deal with more complex enquiries and cases which are escalated from other
  
  

departments, and to maintain a detailed understanding of Council Tax, Non-Domestic

Rates, and Housing Benefit Overpayment legislation.

• To reconcile income received via the different payment methods on a regular basis.
• To initiate Attachment of Earnings Orders and Deductions from relevant DWP benefits,
  
  

input and monitor the same in accordance with laid down procedures and deal with

associated enquiries and correspondence. To liaise with local employers and the DWP to

ensure continued payment of associated debts

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Matthew Whalley by email at Matthew.Whalley@cumberland.gov.uk

DBS Checks

This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is:Basic DBS check

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicantsas long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).
  
  

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments

to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailingResourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions

• Closing date: 02/02/2026
• Interview date:TBC
  
  

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please Read The Supporting Information

• Post Specification
  
  

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council