Employer Description

The Housing Benefit Team is part of the Revenues and Benefits Department for Gravesham Borough Council.
It deals with awarding Housing Benefit to claimants on behalf of the Local Authority.

Travel Information:

The Civic Centre is based in Gravesend town centre with Gravesend Train Station and a bus hub a few minutes' walk away.

Description of Vacancy

• To provide administration support for the Housing Benefits Team
• To carry out daily administration duties and deal with enquiries received from other departments and customers accordingly
• Undertake a range of specialist tasks including photocopying, filing, message taking, sorting and distributing post etc
• To respond to routine correspondence and enquiries from members of the public, suppliers and other staff
• To deal with all customer contact effectively, and courteously, in line with the council's policies and procedures
• To maintain manual and computerised systems including inputting data, keeping records, statistics, confidential and general filing systems as directed
• To organise meetings and events, ensuring that all necessary arrangements are made
• To research, prepare, print, photocopy and distribute documents
• To undertake any other administration job related tasks as required
• To carry out such other duties as may be required of you, commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility, as direct by management
• A commitment and contribution to the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy is an essential requirement of the post

The post holder will carry out all duties and activities having regard to the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and in accordance with any instructions from senior members of staff under that Act of any Council of Departmental Codes of Practice or Procedures.

The post holder will comply with the Statute and Council Policy in all respects.
An awareness and commitment to section 17 which places a statutory duty on police and local authorities to work in partnership to reduce crime and promote community safety. It is also required that community safety is to be a thread running through all functions of the LA. 
A commitment to excellent customer service and the values of the Council.

Wage

£177.97 per week

Hours

Monday to Friday
37 hours per week
20% paid time during working hours is given to complete training, referred to as "Off the Job Training"

Skills Required

• Ability to deliver good customer service
• Basic Office skills
• IT skills
• Ability to talk to people from all levels
• Ability to follow set procedures and routines

Personal Qualities

• Good telephone manner
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent time keeping and work ethic
• Good team player

Qualifications Required

GCSE Level 9-4 (or Grade A-C) in English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications in these subjects.

Training Provided

On the job training with the employer whilst working towards the Apprenticeship Standard - Business administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviors that can be applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses alike, from the public sector, private sector and charitable sector. The role may involve working independently or as part of a team and will involve developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services. Business administrators develop key skills and behaviours to support their own progression towards management responsibilities.

Additional Detail

As of 1st April 2022, the NMW for Apprentices is £4.81 per hour. This applies to 16-18 year old Apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their Apprenticeship. For all other Apprentices the Apprentice National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies.

The wage for Apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent in training.