Rates Officer

• Permanent Full-Time (70 hours per fortnight)
• From $75,971 pa (inc superannuation)
• Monthly Rostered Day Off (RDO)

Council offers a wide range of benefits such as salary packaging (including novated motor vehicle leasing and remote area housing benefits), health and wellbeing programs and employee vaccinations to employees.

Do you want to be part of something challenging and rewarding? Are you passionate about our community? If so, joining the Glen Innes Severn Council might be the right career move for you.

Working for Council means you'll be joining a dedicated team where your individual effort is part of something much bigger – delivering great things for our community.

The Council covers an area of 5,487km2, and is located in the beautiful New England area of NSW.  This area encompasses the town of Glen Innes and villages of Deepwater, Emmaville, Glencoe, Wellingrove and Red Range. We're proud of the contribution our community makes to this vibrant, dynamic and attractive area in which to live and work.

Glen Innes offers an attractive lifestyle including a well serviced and friendly rural community, laid back living, short commuting times, affordable housing, easy access to NSW north coast beaches and larger regional centres, and terrific recreational and sporting facilities. 

A GREAT PLACE TO WORK   
As part of our team you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to our community, working with a diverse range of passionate, supportive and engaging people within a collaborative environment. You will also be part of a workplace that offers competitive employee benefits and opportunities and encourages professional development including:

• Salary packaging (including novated motor vehicle leasing and remote area housing benefits) for all permanent staff
• Long service leave after 5 years
• Corporate wellbeing programs
• Employee vaccinations
• PPE supplied
• Training and development programs   

THE POSITION  
The Rates Officer will ensure accurate property and rates accounting records and systems are maintained and updated.  The position will work with the Financial Accountant and oversee the Rating function, promoting a culture of excellence while enhancing community confidence in Council services.

You will:

• Calculate, levy, and issue rates notices annually and issue quarterly instalment notices in compliance with the Local Government Act. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all properties within the council area, including ratepayer information, accounts data and property valuations.
• Complete annual returns for Permissible Income and the Pensioner Subsidy Concession Claim.
• Complete annual Rates Differential Income estimates for the annual operational plan in consultation with the Financial and Management accountants.
• Process supplementary files from the Valuer General’s Office, pensioner subsidy applications, interest charges, legal charges, 603 Certificates and payment arrangements.
• Assist customers with enquiries about accounts and charges and provide information, advice and resolution as per agreed internal service level agreements utilising the existing customer query management systems. 
• Provide advice and assistance on acceptable methods and/or arrangements for payment, including negotiating payment terms with outstanding rates debtors in accordance with Council policy and statutory requirements.
• Initiate debt recovery proceedings against persons with outstanding debts, reviews status of the outstanding accounts and maintains contact with debtors to ensure payment terms are met. Assist ratepayers in understanding rates calculations and provide information on payment plans, concessions, and Council’s hardship policy.
• Reconcile rates and associated general ledger control accounts on a monthly basis,
• Represent Council in legal proceedings relating to the recovery of outstanding debts, attend external meetings, seminars and conferences as required to maintain professional expertise and fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
• Assist the Financial and Management accountants  with the preparation of financial information and reports for management and Council prepare and maintain reports on rates collections, provision for doubtful debts, overdue balances, and other relevant financial information for management review, including budgets, forecasts and overdue rates reports, manage collections for overdue rates and provides advice and assistance to senior management and line managers on matters relating to rating functions.
• Ensure that strict confidentiality is maintained, and privacy principles are adhered to regarding Council records / information and confidential or private business dealings and ensures that information and records are maintained and stored in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, in consultation with Council’s Records Supervisor.
• Develop and maintain a systems’ process and procedures manual for critical tasks and train nominated staff in performing tasks that are highly critical to the operations and continuing function of the Rates Officer role.
• Provide support during audits and collaborate with the finance team on various projects as required.
• Provide front counter support as required.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR  
Specifically, you will have:

Essential

• Demonstrated experience and ability in the administration of Local Government rating systems and debt recovery systems
• Sound knowledge of the NSW Local Government Act as it applies to the rating functions of councils
• Well-developed organisational skills and the ability to independently complete complex tasks and projects within deadlines
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to deal appropriately with sensitive and/or confidential information and apply relevant privacy principles 
• Competent computer skills, with high level skills in spreadsheets

 Desirable

• Certificate III in Local Government (Governance and Administration) or the equivalent
• Familiarity with Local Government or ERP accounting software and / or Geographical Information Systems (GIS and Intramaps)

INTERESTED IN APPLYING

• Carefully download and read the Guide to Applying for Employment, together with the position description to familiarise yourself with the role and application process
• Please upload documents in PDF or word format
• Please note that as part of Glen Innes Severn Council's recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment checks. This may include: reference checks; national criminal police check; functional/medical assessment; qualification verification; Working with Children Check and NDIS verification.
• Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting an application to avoid missing crucial updates and outcomes. Email communication notifications are used for but not limited to: application received, interview booking tools, confirmation of interview, request for references/more information, delay notifications, testing/assessments (aptitude/psychometric/industry specific) and application outcomes (unsuccessful before or after interview)
• Please regularly check your 'junk mail' or ensure our email address jobs@gisc.nsw.gov.au and Pulse email no_reply@lgss.com.au is set to 'trustworthy'

NEED MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE

 
Council is an EEO employer. Women, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, people with a disability, and members of racial, ethnic, and ethno-religious minority groups are encouraged to apply.