Employer: Folkestone & Hythe District Council Salary: Grade C/D (£25,344-£31,247 per annum) Dependent on experience Location: Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY / Flexible Contract: Permanent Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time Hours: 37 hours per week. DBS Check: Yes Closing Date: 25/08/2025 at 23:59 Reference: GF01/25/320295
Are you a proactive and detail-oriented, with a passion for delivering excellent customer service? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, multi-channel environment and enjoy making a real difference in your community?
Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking an efficient and skilled Council Tax & Benefits Officer to join our dynamic Council Tax, Benefits & Welfare Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a service that supports residents across the district, ensuring accurate billing, collection, and benefit processing.
What Youll Be Doing
* Acting as the first point of contact for Council Tax and Benefits enquiries across various platforms (phone, email, web chat).
* Processing applications and changes efficiently and accurately in line with legislation and council procedures.
* Supporting customers to self-serve and signposting to relevant agencies for additional support.
* Managing Council Tax accounts, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims, and recovery processes.
* Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to deliver joined-up services.
What Were Looking For
* Strong communication skills and attention to detail.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.
* A customer-focused approach with experience in administrative or support service roles.
* IT proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Office.
* Minimum of one day per week to be based in our Civic Centre offices.
* For Level 2 applicants: demonstrable experience in Council Tax or Benefits administration and the ability to handle complex cases independently.
Why Join Us?
Benefits
Folkestone & Hythe District Council is proud to offer a supportive and inclusive working environment with a wide range of benefits:
* Up to 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.
* Flexible, agile, and hybrid working options.
* Local Government Pension Scheme .
* Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
* Family-friendly policies and health & wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
* Salary sacrifice schemes for cycle to work and lease cars.
* Corporate discounts on shopping, entertainment, gym memberships, and more.
* Free office parking and a town centre location close to transport links.
Closing date for receipt of all completed applications is 11:59pm on 25th August 2025
Interviews will take place 4th - 5th September 2025.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Andrew Hatcher Council Tax, Benefits & Welfare Manager:, Tel: 01303 853348
How To Apply
Please apply online via the link provided below. Please note that we do not accept CV's without a fully completed application form.
Further information on this vacancy
* Council Tax & Benefits Officer JDPS
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