Licensing Officer

Full Vacancy Description

JOB TITLE                                       Licensing Officer   

PURPOSE OF JOB:

Under the general direction of the Team Leader Trading Standards & Licensing to process applications for licences, permits, registrations, etc. received by the Council.  To deal with enquiries about such licences.

To process payments for licences an renewals

RESPONSIBILITY LINKS

Reports to: Regulatory Services Manager (Business & Compliance)

Responsible over:  Such staff as may from time to time be allocated

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

The post holder will be required to undertake duties based on the needs of the service in accordance with the agreed working pattern for the post and the Council’s Conditions of Service.

The postholder may be required to work out of normal office hours as required.

MAIN ACTIVITIES:

1.         Under the general direction of the Team Leader Trading Standards & Licensing and supervision of the Senior Licensing Officer, to be responsible for ensuring that the licensing service is efficient and responsive to customer needs

2.         To provide advice and information via the telephone, in person and in writing, to the public, local businesses, legal representatives (eg Solicitors) and other council officers on licensing matters, signposting customers to other services where appropriate.

3.         To receive, assess and process all stages of applications for licences, certificates, notices, permits, registrations and similar, including making accurate records.

4.         To operate and accurately maintain public and office registers, records and statistics both manually and on computer.

5.         To answer telephone calls and respond to personal enquiries, including the handling of matters which are of a sensitive nature and undertake routine office duties.

6.         To prepare and provide standard/routine letters and memoranda and assist in the collation of information for reports as required by the unit.

7.         Attendance at conferences and seminars as required.

8.         Handle and bank monies received, prepare and issue receipts, invoices and credits and otherwise deal with fees, adhering to the authority’s financial rules and procedures.

9.         To identify licences subject to renewal and ensure appropriate reminders and invoices are issued in an accurate and timely manner

10.       Supervision of such staff as may from time to time be allocated to the post.

11.       Receive and process representations from statutory interested parties and responsible authorities and internal consultees in relation to applications.

12.       To manage and operate the appointments diary

13.       To attend and give evidence in court or at committees as required

14.       Liaise with other organisations and services as may from time to time be necessary.

15.       To be able to identify own training needs, undertake training as required and to support the Team Leader Trading Standards & Licensing and Senior Licensing Officer in the training of colleagues, applicants, licensees and partners as required.

16.       To be aware of and adhere to the health and safety requirements of the post

17.       To be aware of and adhere to the equalities requirements of the post

18.       To be aware of and adhere to the data protection and information governance requirements of the post.

19.       To carry out other duties, as directed, commensurate with the level of responsibility and grade of the post.

Using the Job Description consider what abilities are required by a person to perform each of the main activities of the job safely and effectively.

1 The ability to process licence applications in an accurate and timely manner.

2 Good working knowledge of the legislation under the remit of the licensing service, including but not limited to HC/PH licences, Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2014, street trading, sex establishments and sex entertainment venues.             

3 Ability to deal competently and confidently with enquiries over the telephone and face to face from members of the public, traders, staff and other service areas about all aspects of the licensing service.           

4 Experience of computerised systems and databases and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of data input and retrieval.  

5 Ability to demonstrate good organisational skills, use own initiative and to work with the minimum of supervision. 

6 Ability to maintain accurate records.    

7 Must be able to prioritise a given workload effectively and efficiently and to work to strict timeframes.           

8 The ability to work as part of a team.    

9 Must have effective verbal communication skills, including the ability to deal with conflict and difficult customers     

10 Must have effective written communication skills   

11 Must be willing to attend relevant staff development/training courses and keep up-to-date with new developments in legislation.         

12 Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with colleagues, elected members, partners and all service users                  

13 Awareness of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity as it relates to the post.

14 Awareness of, and commitment to health and safety as it relates to the post.   

15 Awareness of, and commitment to confidentiality and information governance requirements of the post                

16 Willingness to work out of normal hours as required         

Experience: specify type, level and length required; if any.                                       

Qualification: specify type and level required; if any.              

Good general education including 2 GSCEs or equivalent in English and maths            

Equivalent level 2 qualifications on the national qualifications framework including English and maths