Corporate Debt Recovery Officer - 2 Years Fixed Term Contract

Corporate Debt Recovery Officer - 2 Years Fixed Term Contract

Employer: Folkestone & Hythe District Council

£29,744 - £37,889 (Grade D/E Depending on skills and experience)

Location: Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY / Flexible

Contract: Temporary

Working Pattern: Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week.

DBS Check: Yes

Closing Date: 05/05/2026 at 08:30

Reference: GF01/26/334585

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking a motivated and skilled Corporate Debt Recovery Officer to join our Business Rates & Corporate Debt Team.

This position supports the efficient, effective and fair collection of debts owed to the council, focusing primarily on the recovery of Council Tax arrears. Providing a professional service with the highest possible standards of advice, resolving cases as appropriate and ensuring demand is managed by working proactively with customers.

The role would require you to take ownership of a varied caseload, applying your expertise to resolve complex debt situations, negotiate realistic repayment solutions, and apply relevant legislation confidently. You would be part of a proactive service that values early intervention, accuracy, and high quality customer interaction.

We're particularly keen to hear from candidates who bring:

• Proven experience in debt recovery, council tax recovery, or a revenues environment.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant legislation and recovery processes.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and case management skills.
• The ability to analyse information, make sound decisions, and work independently.
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• A proactive, solutions focused mindset with the ability to quickly fill knowledge gaps.

This role will also support project focused recovery initiatives, offering opportunities to help shape and improve our approach to debt management across the council.

The competency expectations for Grade D (level 1) and Grade E (level 2) are outlined in the accompanying job description.

This is a hybrid-position, requiring a minimum on site presence of one day per week at the Civic Centre offices in Folkestone.

Please note: This position is fixed-term and any secondment arrangements for internal applicants would need to be agreed between the candidate and all departments.

Why Join Folkestone & Hythe District Council?

We offer a comprehensive, people focused rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, development and work life balance.

• Flexible, agile and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave: up to 31 days + bank holidays, plus birthday leave and Christmas office closure.
• Flexi-time scheme to support work-life balance.
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Health & wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions
• Salary sacrifice schemes: cycle to work and lease car options.
• Corporate discount schemes for shopping, entertainment, gym memberships, days out and more.
• Great location: centrally based, close to transport links and free office parking.

Our Values

We're proud of our positive workplace culture built around four core values:

• Customer First
• One Team
• Thinking Ahead
• Performance Counts

We're committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all backgrounds, including disabled applicants and the Armed Forces community.

Advert closing date: 08.30am on 5th May 2026

Please note: This vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications.

Interviews are due to be held in the week commencing 18th May 2026.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sarah Calladine, Corporate Debt and Business Rates Team Leader: