Dorset Council
Benefits Officer - Crisis and Resilience Fund
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Benefits Officer
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Benefits Officer to join our team and play a key role in delivering our Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) service.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a service that provides timely financial support to residents experiencing hardship and crisis. Working within a customer-focused environment, you will help ensure that vulnerable residents receive the support they need when they need it most.
As the Crisis and Resilience Fund continues to develop, you will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping and improving the service, helping us create a responsive, accessible and resident-centred offer. From day one, your work will make a tangible difference to the lives of Dorset residents facing challenging circumstances.
What You'll Be Doing
As part of the Benefits Team, you will support the delivery of Crisis and Resilience Fund, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support applications, ensuring these are processed accurately, fairly and efficiently.
You Will:
- Provide crisis support to residents experiencing financial hardship.
- Promote welfare benefit take-up and identify opportunities for additional support.
- Signpost and refer residents to relevant internal and external services.
- Assess and process applications in line with legislation, policy and guidance.
- Respond to customer enquiries by telephone, correspondence and face-to-face contact.
- Work closely with colleagues and partner organisations to achieve positive outcomes for residents.
- Handle highly sensitive personal information with professionalism and discretion.
- Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Crisis and Resilience Fund service.
This role offers a rewarding opportunity to support residents at some of the most difficult times in their lives, helping them access the assistance, advice and support they need to improve their circumstances.
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About You
We are looking for individuals who are organised, empathetic and resilient, with a genuine commitment to supporting residents and delivering excellent customer service.
You Will Have:
- Experience of working in a customer-focused environment.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and in plain English.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload effectively.
- Sound decision-making skills and attention to detail.
- Experience of handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- The ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
- A flexible and positive approach to learning new skills and responding to changing priorities.
You will also be confident building and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, recognising the value of collaborative working in achieving the best outcomes for residents.
Experience in welfare benefits, financial support services, local government administration or related areas would be advantageous, although we are equally interested in applicants who can demonstrate transferable skills and a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable people.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to be part of a service that has a direct and meaningful impact on local communities. You will join a supportive team environment where your contributions are valued, your development is encouraged, and your work helps improve the lives of residents across Dorset.
Further Information
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This is a fixed term role for 18 months. For further information about this role please contact Natalie Payne, Senior Benefits Officer on 01305 211996.
This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a Basic Criminal Records Check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.
About Us
At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it.
We:
- provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents
- work in partnership to make a real difference
- value every role and the impact it has on our communities
- support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive
You Will:
- be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
- have access to a range of benefits and support
- have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.
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