About the Role
A vacancy has arisen for a Business Support Officer in Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits Partnership (MKS). MKS is an innovative shared service model, and the Business Support function is delivered on behalf of Maidstone Borough Council, Swale Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
You will be expected to undertake quality assurance checks on benefit decisions, consider appeals, discretionary housing payments and assist with the completion of the councils benefit grant claim. A detailed knowledge of the benefit regulations and working knowledge of the benefit system are essential.
The successful candidate will need to prepare appeal papers for tribunals, and present our case, the majority of which are remote hearings.
This role is customer-facing and the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is an essential element of the role.
This is a full time position on a permanent contract. Whilst the role is full time applications for part time may be considered. Please specify within your application if you would prefer part time and the number of hours you are able to work.
About You:
You need to be a good communicator and have a sound knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. You will need to effectively communicate by telephone, face to face and in writing. It is essential for candidates to have experience in a Revenues and Benefits environment, and it would be desirable to have knowledge of the Capita Revenues and Benefits software package and Enterprise Document Management system, although full training will be given.
We are now working in a hybrid way which allows more flexibility for people to manage working hours around their own needs. This includes working either from the office or at home (once trained) depending on individual needs and gives the ability to flex hours within service needs. This role gives the ability for high levels of homeworking based on the needs of the successful candidate.
Selection Process:
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect a job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.
About Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.
We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.
Our Offer:
A range of benefits including:
• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus
bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between
Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work
life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that
include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent
information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and
financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from
work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The
monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role
Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Rachael Price, Business Support Manager on 01622 602140.
Job Description and Person Specification: https://docs.maidstone.gov.uk/jobs/Business-Support-Officer-JDPS-MBC-Jun24.pdf
Closing Date: 9 July 2024
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.