Work for the fastest-growing and second largest city in the NT
Full time, Ongoing Level 5 ($92,514 - $95,406 + Super)
Generous employee benefits and professional development opportunities

Position Objective

The Senior Rates Officer contributes specialist knowledge to the team and assists in achieving a dynamic, change ready and positive organisation delivering on the Community Plan and ensuring the integrity of Council. This position will foster, support, and drive a culture of continuous improvement with a key focus on accountabilities, skills, agility, and capabilities, whilst exceling in the delivery of our customer experience and brand recognition.

This position requires the incumbent to provide superior customer service to all stakeholders, including Ratepayers, other Councils, Government Departments, Conveyancers, and other property professionals.

As part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary organisation this role contributes to and coordinates specialist activities using modern, innovative, and contemporary methods, with consideration of public and political implications.

The role will promote and exemplify Council’s vision to meet community expectations, deliver organisational key performance indicators and maintain accountabilities in line with the Community Plan and customer ethos

Position Context

City of Palmerston’s Capability Framework describes the capabilities and associated behaviours expected of Council employees at every level. These capabilities relate to generic knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviours required by employees to perform their roles effectively.

Working with the Finance and Rates Supervisor the role is responsible for the leadership and direction of a range of rates related programs and services that contribute to the delivery of our Community Plan including:

Maintaining the integrity of Council's rate information with a view to continuous improvement.
Council’s rates assessment and related charges. • Council’s debt management and rates concession.
Land Divisions and changes of ownership.
Council’s rate modelling for annual budget and long-term financial plan.
General administrative tasks including rates inquiries and research

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Provide a customer focused service to clients (internal and external) by ensuring that all rates administrative functions are processed in an accurate and timely manner with appropriate supporting documentation in accordance with Council procedures.
Foster, advocate and implement City of Palmerston’s customer service focus and practices.
Assist in the preparation of rating information for the annual budget, annual statement of accounts, and the long-term financial plan.
Maintain the integrity of the rating system and associated processes through accurate and complete administrative processes, data entry, record keeping and document management.
Undertake timely internal and statutory reporting as well and ad-hoc revenue reporting as required.
Ensure all revenue related functions are completed within the established timeframes and to agreed standards.
Participate as a member of the Finance Team, and promote cooperation, collaboration, coordination, and the sharing of information between teams and departments in pursuit of the Community Plan vision and outcomes.
Supervise staff on activities and responsibilities including rating training and reporting for the organisation.
Contribute to the overall culture of the organisation by making positive contributions to enhance satisfaction, develop accountability and empower staff.
Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements to ensure they receive the required assistance, support, and information.
Work collaboratively with our Customer Experience team to ensure high level customer service is provided to all stakeholders.
Foster a continuous learning environment focused on its people, the organisational culture and quality continuous improvement.
Assist with the development and implementation of policies and business plans as required or responding to priorities outlined in the Community Plan, current community demand, Council and Government policy and relevant best practice.
Manage and oversee ratepayer enquiries including dealing with complaints and ensuring effective resolution and outcomes.
Manage an accurate, efficient, and effective rating database to ensure a modern and contemporary approach in accordance with the Local Government Act and Council policy.
Perform processing, verification, and reconciliation of Council’s rating system ensuring the integrity of the rating and related databases.
Manage and administer Council’s debt recovery processes in line with Council Policy and associated Legislation.
Issue and dispatch rate notices, instalment notices and adjusted rate notices.
Perform modelling and sensitivity analysis on rates data

What Council is looking for

Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, Business, or other relevant discipline combined with at least 2 years’ experience in similar role.
Demonstrated experience in a similar position, ideally with the exposure to Local Government rating function, sundry debtor functions and experience using financial management software.
Proven experience in debt recovery and understanding of legal and court recovery procedures.
Ability to identify, analyse and conceptualise operational problems or trends, question practices, formulate and implement appropriate solutions and negotiate successful outcomes in an innovative and resourceful manner with some guidance.
Proven ability to contribute to an innovative and positive working environment that motivates and supports people to achieve high levels of performance.
Proven organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple clients and deadlines within a dynamic environment.
A focus on achieving customer-centric results, with an ability to establish clear, specific goals and objectives and to monitor progress towards those ends, taking corrective action, as necessary with direction.
Knowledge and awareness of social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political issues impacting programs and service delivery.
Strong level of interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to convey and impart information in an easy-to-understand format including verbal, written, public presentation and negotiation skills.
Highly developed and efficient computer skills, particularly in the use of corporate management information systems.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships.

At City of Palmerston, we embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Before City of Palmerston’s employment offer is confirmed, successful applicants must provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia, hold a Class C Drivers Licence, provide copies of relevant qualifications, and undergo a criminal history check. Some roles may require successful applicants to attend a medical examination, participate in a psychometric assessment, hold a Working with Children clearance and/or hold a White Card.

To view a copy of the position description and to 'Apply' please see below.

Applications Close: 5pm Friday 24 October 2025

City of Palmerston

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Senior Rates Officer