Summary
Area: Revenues & Welfare Services
Salary: £29,071 - £30,515 per annum
Hours: 37 per week
Closing Date: 11-Oct-2026@23:59
Description
• Location: Hybrid working (a mix of office-based and remote working)
• Salary: Band 5
• Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week
• Closing Date: 11 October 2026
• Interview Period: w/c 19 October 2026
We are seeking an experienced and customer-focused Senior Welfare Services Officer to join our Welfare Services Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to build on your existing experience while developing specialist knowledge in Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and overpayment recovery within a supportive local government environment
As a Senior Welfare Services Officer, you will assess and process Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims, manage changes of circumstances, and deal with a range of complex cases, including self-employed applicants, persons from abroad, and supported accommodation claims, ensuring legislation and council policies are applied accurately and fairly.
You will also provide technical support and guidance to colleagues, provide welfare advice and respond to customer enquiries, ensure all overpayments are recorded and recovered in the appropriate manner, and play a key role in identifying and reporting any irregularities to the singe fraud investigation service.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, discounted membership at Gedling leisure centres, and an Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support on financial, legal, and wellbeing matters, along with a range of retail discounts.
This post is subject to a DBS check.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient suitable applications be received.
Please note, you must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application; we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Person Specification
Key: D=Desirable, E=Essential, I=Interview, A=Application Form, T=Test, M=Medical
Relevant Experience
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Experience of working in an office based environment |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Experience of dealing with the public, either in person or by telephone |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Computer/PC literate, with experience of using Microsoft products (Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel) |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Technical knowledge of Housing Benefit legislation and awareness of Council Tax Reductions Schemes |
| (D) |
(A/I) |
Basic knowledge of Council Tax Regulations |
Qualifications / Training
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(A) |
4 GCSE’s Grade C or above including Maths and English or equivalent |
| (D) |
(A) |
Vocational qualification (NVQ or equivalent) in Customer Services or a finance based subject |
Job Related Skills
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Ability to deal with and explain complex matters |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Ability to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Ability to work effectively within a team environment and use own initiative |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Good organisational skills |
Personal Attributes
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Demonstrate a professional and helpful manner |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Ability to deal with difficult situations in a calm and patient manner |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Ability to meet targets and undertake routine tasks to a consistently high standard |
| (E) |
(A/I) |
Ability to prioritise and manage own workloads |
| (E) |
(T) |
Impartiality in the administration of Council Tax which will mean also that you have no debts, of any kind, owing to Gedling Borough Council |
Equal Opportunities
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(I) |
To understand in a way appropriate to the job, how the principles of equality and diversity need to be applied within the Council |
Gedling Employee
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(I) |
To be committed to the principles of “The Gedling Employee” in a way appropriate to the job |
Work Circumstances
| Requirement | Assessment | Criteria |
| (E) |
(I) |
Flexibility in working hours if required |
Supporting Documentation
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Other Useful Information