L3 Admin Apprentice in Council Tax Billing Service

Summary

Sandwell Revenues and Benefits Department: Working on the Council Tax Billing Team, to provide effective and efficient billing and administration of Council Tax.

Annual wage: £12,313.60 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9.00am - 5.30pm. Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 6 January
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Assist with the administration of billing processes for Council Tax
Use the Council’s computerised systems to assist with delivering a high quality service providing guidance, advice and information about Billing issues to taxpayers and /or their representatives in writing, electronically, by telephone or in person in accordance with service standards
Use the Council’s computerised systems to update accounts relating to Council Tax valuation, liability, reductions, tracing of absconded taxpayers, payments and any other identified billing actions as required
Assist customers in a prompt and polite manner to claim appropriate benefits, discounts, disregards or exemptions
Maintain an up to date knowledge of documentation, processes, working practices and standards within the Billing Team environment
Provide general advice about Revenue and Benefit; Valuation and Council Tax Banding related processes
Undertake specific projects as assigned by the Billing Supervisors or Team Manager as and when required
Liaise with member of other Revenues and Benefits Teams and/or other Council Departments where required
Seek guidance on complex matters from either more experience colleagues, the Technical Advisor or Team Supervisors and advise them of any cases which may be potentially contentious.
Where requested, keep records of workload actioned and provide relevant management information on request
Work to set performance targets set across the billing team for each billing task
Comply with and maintain all relevant security and health and safety measures as directed
Operate in a team environment, contribute to team meetings, becoming an active team member, whilst developing the initiative to work on your own. Contribute effectively to the team
Identify matters relating to failure of systems or compliance with legislation, working practice, council policies and practices and inform the Supervisor/Team Manager of these.
Assist in identifying process improvements
Undertake all duties in accordance with GDPR guidelines
Comply with the policies and procedures of Sandwell MBC
Undertake any other duties assigned by the Council Tax Billing Technical Officer, Supervisors or Team Manager in line with the responsibilities of the post

Where you’ll work

Sandwell Council House

Freeth Street

Oldbury

B69 3DB

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

ACCESS TRAINING (EAST MIDLANDS) LTD

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.

Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.

Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.

Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.

Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.

Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.

Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.

Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

At the end you will gain a Level 3 Business Administration qualification. The apprenticeship training will be delivered in the workplace, as you will receive visits from a college assessor.
The apprenticeship will also include a proportion of 20% Off The Job Training and a robust programme of additional Apprentice Training provided by Sandwell Council to include Data Protection and Safeguarding.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade A-C/9-4 or equivalent)
Maths (grade A-C/9-4 or equivalent)
Customer Service (grade Level 2)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Prioritise own workload
Work under pressure

Other requirements

Whilst the Revenue & Benefits Service is a demanding environment to work in, it’s an opportunity to learn & develop new skills & experience. You will deal with a diverse customer base, some of whom may be considered vulnerable. You will sometimes need to apply your skills to deal with situations that may sometimes be difficult or challenging.

About this company

Sandwell is a large, multicultural metropolitan borough situated in the heart of the Black Country, to the west of Birmingham, within the West Midlands conurbation and with a population of over 280,000. The Council is one of the largest employers in the Borough with employees in a variety of occupations, providing a comprehensive range of services. For more information about Sandwell Council’s apprenticeship programme and our recruitment process please visit our YouTube channel. Find out more information on Sandwell’s Values and Behaviours on the council’s webpage. For more information on careers in local government you can view a copy of the Local Government Career Guide.

http://www.sandwell.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

The post is offered on a fixed-term contract to cover the duration of the apprenticeship training. The skills, knowledge and experience gained in this apprenticeship will allow you to gain future opportunities in the sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Parmjit Sidhu

parmjit_sidhu@sandwell.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000282945.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Sunday 3 November at 11:59pm)

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