[Hiring] Senior Technical Officer @Capita

Role Description

As a Technical Officer, you will provide specialist technical support across Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction services, with particular responsibility for Housing Benefit subsidy claims, audit liaison, legislative interpretation and quality assurance activities.

• Responsible for the accurate calculation, validation and submission of Housing Benefit subsidy claims.
• Completion of DWP and HMRC returns.
• Management of HBAP activities.
• Provision of management information.
• Resolution of complex technical cases and support for appeals and disputes.
• Lead engagement with Local Authority and External Auditors during subsidy audit activity.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on complex benefit legislation and subsidy matters.
• Help protect client subsidy income through effective quality assurance and risk management.
• Maintain audit standards and ensure the delivery of accurate, compliant and high-quality Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction services.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction legislation, administration and assessment processes.
• Strong understanding of Housing Benefit subsidy calculations, subsidy claim preparation, reconciliation processes and subsidy assurance requirements.
• Experience of supporting or leading Housing Benefit subsidy audits and responding to auditor queries and challenges.
• Knowledge and experience of the Housing Benefit Assurance Process (HBAP).
• Experience of completing DWP and HMRC statutory returns and management information requirements.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex legislation, guidance and policy to technical and non-standard cases.
• Experience of identifying, investigating and resolving discrepancies within financial claims and benefit assessments.

Benefits

• A competitive basic salary (Up to £30,161 depending on experience).
• 23 days’ holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave.
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice.
• Auto-enrolment to our company pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology.
• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform.

Company Description

Capita Local Government has many close, long-standing relationships with local councils, supporting them in the challenges they face by delivering a variety of services. We know that technology can help transform public services and to do that requires investment and innovation – and we’re working to develop new approaches here.