Customer Information Officer

The Customer Services department have an exciting opportunity in their Northampton team, for exceptional individuals with a passion for customer excellence and a willingness to learn and progress.

We are looking for colleagues who are as enthusiastic as we are about helping people and making things better whenever an opportunity for improvement arises. Fantastic interpersonal skills, the ability to navigate complex information and a can-do attitude are crucial. The role will cover a range of services, via the telephone, face-to-face and by email, but will mainly be focused on council tax, benefits and money advice.

We are a diverse and dynamic team working across a range of venues in a hybrid, flexible way.

Previous applicants need not apply.

You will be required to support our customers with a variety of enquiries covering council tax, benefits and business rates.

You will work closely with all other teams to ensure our customers receive a seamless experience

Previous customer service experience is essential, along with good communication skills, natural empathy, experience of managing conflict and a good sense of humour.

To succeed in this challenging role, you must be flexible and able to demonstrate the skills necessary to work under pressure within a team environment.

We are looking for like-minded colleagues who:

• Can provide an effective customer focused service
• Can work closely with colleagues to seek feedback and resolve complaints
• Meet performance targets
• Have a flexible approach
• A 'can do' attitude

These roles will be based in the Northampton.

We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days annual leave per year, 28 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

The council is in the process of implementing a new pay structure and terms and conditions which will be applicable to this role. The outcome could result in a future variation to the advertised salary, and this will be discussed at interview.