Service Link Officer

Job Title: Service Link Officer
Starting Salary: £34,435 progressing to £37,280 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage - Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Adult Care Services

About the team

There is a current drive within the department to focus on recovery of debt for care services received and we are looking for a Service Link Officer to join our team to facilitate this.

We are undergoing a considerable transformation in the area of debt recovery, focusing on generating revenue for HCC and prevention of debt. We are looking for a motivated individual who is able to adapt to change and pivot quickly in response to new guidelines and agreements. You will be part of a team consisting of 9 SLOs, supported and supervised by 2 Senior Finance Officers.

Interpersonal skills and teamwork are essential to the development of our team and our overall success. In order to carry out recovery activity with a clear direction, the SLO will have frequent interactions with key internal and external stakeholders- such as the Central debt, Income and finance and Legal teams.

About the role

You will be at the forefront of debt recovery activity, working alongside a team of experienced individuals, leading on resolving complex debt recovery issues with Service Users and families, as well as investigating related financial queries and identifying and reporting potential safeguarding concerns.

About you

Essential:

• Ability to learn quickly and engage in query resolution using various systems
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word, in addition to good numeracy and general IT skills.
• Good diary and time management skills to be able to prioritise workloads and adhere to timescales set when pursuing payment of outstanding invoices
• Enthusiasm and motivation to gain desired results
• Strong negotiation and influential skills
• Excellent communication skills as you will be communicating with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Management of individual workloads with direction
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Desirable

• An NVQ level 3 qualification, or equivalent, is desirable
• Knowledge of credit control, accounting and debt recovery

If you have great influential and negotiation skills, an ability to communicate effectively with people and some experience in any type of debt recovery or credit control then this role is for you.

We value the importance of personal development and career aspirations at HCC and through an organic method of training and learning, the individual will gain an array of core skills that they will be able to carry into other roles in the future.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 9. Please locate the job profile here:

Job profiles - Corporate services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact carl.nancarrow@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: week commencing 29th June 2026

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.