Financial Assessment and Benefits Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Assessment and Awards Team for a permanent Financial Assessment and Benefits Officer.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The Financial Assessment and Benefits Officer role is based at Greenlane Council Offices in Spennymoor, working 37 hours per week within the Deputy and Appointee Team.

The Deputy and Appointee Team manage the financial affairs of people who do not have the mental capacity to look after their own and do not have any other suitable person to take on the role i.e., recognised legal representative, close family or friends. All support is provided in accordance with relevant legislation, case law, and the working practices and procedures of the council to the required standards.

You will be a dedicated, customer-focused and enthusiastic team player who takes pride in providing excellent customer-service. You will have good communication skills, be able to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy, be well-organised with a flexible approach, have good IT skills and be able to manage changing priorities. You will also need to be able to work unsupervised and use your initiative.

We encourage you to contact Liam Pitt via email at View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You must have minimum NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent recognised qualification and relevant experience in an administrative/ finance setting.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. 

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

Our commitment to safeguarding
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Adults Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children, adults, or both.

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held week commencing 15th June 2026

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website .

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.

If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on View phone number on northeastjobs.org.uk, or via email View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk . Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

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