Housing Options Assistant

The Housing Team are seeking an Assistant Housing Options Officer to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Under the direction of the Housing Options Team Leader, the post holder will be responsible for delivering a holistic approach to finding ways of solving our customers housing need by giving housing advice, by telephone and face to face. Providing initial advice on a range of housing issues including housing options, social housing, homelessness and private sector housing issues in line with law, legislation, policy and local initiatives.

You will be required to support the Housing Options Team Leader to administer an excellent frontline service homelessness preventions and options, which meets the needs and aspirations of our customers and ensures quality standards are achieved and maintained.

To support the Housing Options Team Leader by undertaking monitoring and evaluating of service reviews, customer satisfaction, performance indicators (national and local) relevant to the housing options team. To provide ideas and develop new initiatives with line managers and other seniors in Housing Options Offering initial advice to customers and other organisations on:

a. All aspects of Housing services i.e. Housing Options, Private Sector Housing, HomeChoice and Strategy and signposting clients where appropriate.

b. Prevention schemes - PRS, Sanctuary, Debt Impact Funding, Mortgage Rescue, Advocacy Services, mediation, welfare benefit advice and practical assistance to access housing.

Collation of evidence to support the Housing Options Officers when undertaking their enquiries regarding homelessness applications.

To provide a customer focused, pro-active service to help residents secure their housing choices.

Liaise with stakeholders in a way that promotes the One Medway Council Plan and embeds our values and behaviours.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Sharon Stagg on sharon.stagg@medway.gov.uk.

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.