Housing Officer
Our Organisation-
Centrally located in the Thames Gateway, Gravesham Borough Council provides a range of services to over 106,000 people and 4,000 businesses.
The Borough of Gravesham, situated in the north west corner of Kent, covers 25,000 acres of the most varied countryside in south east England.
Bordered by the River Thames to the north, it is at the heart of Thames Gateway and has a significant role to play in the regeneration of a major government growth area.
Gravesham Borough Council is committed to delivering to the community and working with us means you are part of delivering the level of growth and improvement our community needs and deserves.
The role
Job Summary
Responsible for the delivery of excellent housing management, tenant engagement and housing support services to tenants. To directly manage a case load and be responsible for tenancy and estate management.
Main Responsibilities
- Carrying out Estate and Property inspections to identify and deal with breaches of tenancy conditions and repairs, providing follow-up and enforcement action for matters identified to be dealt with.
- Assist the Senior Housing Officer with reports as required.
- Making recommendations for estate/property improvements and ensuring property meets health and safety and fire safety standards
- Undertake repair inspections and monitor caretaking and cleaning standards as required.
- Investigating complaints of nuisance or anti social behaviour and taking action to resolve problems including referring cases to the Community Safety Unit as per current referral criteria. Interviewing victims and perpetrators and taking witness statements. Maintaining accurate records using the council’s housing IT systems.
- Liaising with residents moving in and out of council owned accommodation including carrying out accompanied viewings and pre termination inspections and updating the council’s IT systems
- Working in partnership with other external agencies and departments of the council to resolve problems that fall beyond housing management powers.
- To work with the Tenant Participation Team together with tenants and leaseholders to encourage tenant participation in the management of estates, which may include attendance at Residents Association and Tenant’s meetings, sometimes out of hours.
- Arranging any necessary security and safety of property that becomes empty or that has been subject to criminal activity
- Participate in annual gas safety inspections in line with the council’s procedures
- Carrying out property inspections prior to mutual exchanges and preparing the legal paperwork to effect the assignment
- Preparation of case files for legal action and attendance in court
- Identifying cases that fall outside the scope of the allocations policy and preparing and presenting reports to the allocations panel
- Identifying vulnerable residents, identifying their support needs, liaising with and signposting to appropriate external agencies
- Investigation of claims for damage against the council
- Liaison with external agencies such as Mediation services, Mental Health, Police and partnering social landlords etc.
- To ensure that all Gravesham Borough Council policies and procedures that relate to the post are adhered to.
- To ensure that best use is made of Information Technology in planning, communicating, executing and monitoring caseloads.
- To make recommendations for service improvements and assist in implementing agreed initiatives.
- Maintain a current knowledge of policy, practice and legislation relating to Housing Management and contribute towards the department’s aims and objectives.
- Carry out Tenancy Audits to council properties.
- Be able to work flexibly across all areas of the Borough, which includes the mobile and caravan sites, to assist residents with the planning and implementation of repairs and site improvements to ensure the smooth and effective running of both sites.
- Required to attend some evening meetings and have a Full driving licence
General
To carry out such other duties as may be required of you, commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility, as directed by management.
To participate as required in the Council’s Emergency Planning Operations which may involve duties outside the post holder’s normal job description and contracted hours. In the event that an incident has occurred which disrupts the council’s ability to deliver it’s critical functions, the post holder will be expected to participate in the recovery stage which may include undertaking duties within the post holder’s competencies in other departments and/or at other locations.
A commitment and contribution to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy is an essential requirement of the post.
The post holder will carry out all duties and activities having regard to the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and in accordance with any instructions from senior members of staff under that Act or any Council or Departmental Codes of Practice or Procedures.
The post holder must ensure that data quality and integrity is maintained and that data is processed in accordance with council policy, the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and other legislation
The post holder will comply with Statute and Council Policy in all respects.
An awareness and commitment to section 17 which places a statutory duty on Police and local authorities to work in partnership to reduce crime and promote community safety. It is also required that community safety is to be a thread running through all functions of the LA
A commitment to excellent customer service and the values of the Council
Essential qualifications/experience-
Experience with working with the public.
Able to communicate confidently and effectively with people at all levels.
Able to influence, negotiate and
implement practical solutions to problems.
Ability to compile reports and deal with written correspondence.
Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workloads and work
to deadlines ·
Ability to use computer systems including word processing, spreadsheets or other IT systems for monitoring of work.
Able to make decisions balancing the needs of individuals with those of the wider community and the Council’s priorities
Ability to work with challenging young people, adults and families
Able to work on own or as part of a team
Ability to think on feet and use sound judgement to resolve complex issues
Knowledge of Housing Law and Practice.
Working knowledge of ASB tools and powers, and other relevant legislation.
An understanding of the problems, causes and effects of anti-social behaviour
Good understanding of race and ethnicity issues
General understanding of day to day repairs and maintenance
Relevant training/qualification that demonstrates capacity to meet demands of post.
Previous experience of working with the public
Experience of using a Windows based computer package
Positive and enthusiastic attitude to customers and desire to deliver high quality services.
Ability and previous experience of working under pressure, to deadlines and as a member of a team.
Ability to act on own initiative
Ability to be able to deal with difficult or agitated customers
Able to develop good working relationships with customers, colleagues and other agencies.
Resilient under pressure
Must have adaptable and flexible attitude to work requirements
Demonstrate a commitment to Tenant Participation.
Required to attend evening meetings.
Have access to a suitable motor vehicle for business purposes
Full driving licence
Commitment to equal opportunities
In return we offer you:
Holiday entitlement
A generous holiday entitlement, plus paid bank holidays.
Training
In-house and external training including non-qualification, Continued Personal Development (CPD), NVQ and other qualification training.
Employee Assistance Programme
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a free and confidential support service, offering you unlimited access to advice and information as well as coaching and counselling where appropriate.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the service is there to help you manage all of life's events and support you through the challenges. Their expert advisers are there to help,
whenever you need them. Support on the telephone, online and face to face.
Pensions
A very secure pension scheme which both you and we pay into. More information can be found on the Local Government Pension Scheme website.
Occupational health
An on-site Occupational Health Advisor. We have an occupational health service provided by East Kent Hospitals University Foundation NHS Trust. The service is delivered by a team of health professionals who specialise in occupational medicine and deal with the relationship between your work and your health. Occupational Health also works with us to resolve any issues in the workplace and also to ensure that well-being at work is maintained.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager call Dawn Walster on 07818 016656 or Louise Rayner on 07525 800841.
Important Information-
Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Gravesham Borough Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age
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.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.