Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Department: Finance
Location: Torbay Council
Compensation: £26,403 - £28,142 / year
Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
We are expanding our Revenues and Benefits Team within the Finance Directorate and are looking for several enthusiastic, customer focused Revenue Officers to join our Local Government Benefits Team.
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to make a real difference while building a rewarding, long term career in public sector finance and benefits administration. As a Benefits Officer, you’ll be at the heart of our service—supporting residents, ensuring benefits are processed accurately and on time, and helping to deliver a service that genuinely matters to our community. You’ll work as part of a supportive and experienced team where learning, development, and collaboration are encouraged. Every day will be different, and your work will directly contribute to providing vital financial support to those who need it most—all while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and financial policies.
We are looking for someone who is a clear communicator, both verbally and in writing. You will be organised and detail orientated, with the ability to manage multiple tasks. You will be professional and approachable, comfortable with numbers, have the ability to interpret regulations and guidance as well as confident using IT systems. If you motivated, organised, and enjoy helping people, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your skills and make a meaningful impact. Previous experience in either a revenues or benefits role, customer services, or local government is beneficial but not essential, as full training will be provided.
Key Responsibilities:
- Administer claims for local and national benefits and to collect and enforce payment of Council Tax, Business Rates, and Business Improvement District.
- To follow a robust process incorporating all available recovery options that is focused on maximising the council’s income collection.
- Respond to customer enquiries via phone, email and correspondence by providing clear and professional advice.
- Engage customers, landlords, internal departments, external agencies and government agencies to support accurate assessment and processing.
- Understand the needs of our customers by keeping up to date with relevant legislation, regulation, and best practice relating to benefits and debt management.
- Maintain strict data security and confidentiality standards.
Working for Torbay Council offers many benefits including competitive starting salary with flexible and hybrid working opportunities, generous annual leave entitlement and Local Government Pension Scheme. You will be part of a friendly and supportive team with commitment to your wellbeing, offering clear career progression pathways and the opportunity to work towards IRRV qualification.
This post meets the requirements of the Public Services Network (PSN) and therefore will require a Basic Criminal Record Check. This will show any unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the
full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/benefits-officer-level-1/
For an informal chat please contact Richard Owen on 01803 208237 or richard.owen@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 8th June 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to give clear and accurate advice on complex matters.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships including being able to influence and persuade others in a sensitive, professional way, both inside and outside of the Council.
- Effective time management with the ability to manage competing demands.
- The ability to develop knowledge of Housing Benefits, Council Tax, Council Tax Support, Working Age Council Tax Reduction and other Discretionary payment legislation through training.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
- Advanced knowledge of standard office administrative practices and procedures.
- Awareness of the polices, aims and objectives of the Council.
- Basic knowledge of Data Protection Act 2018.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
- Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent relevant experience with evidence of continued professional development.
- Experience of efficiently managing a diverse workload and responding effectively to conflicting deadlines, changing needs and priorities.
- Experience of producing accurate reports, letters, spreadsheets, presentations and other electronic documents.
- Experience of undertaking research and analysing information.
- Experience dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
