Housing Officer

Housing Officer Larkfield £31,001 per annum 37.5 hours per week Role Summary The Housing Officer is responsible for Housing Management and Tenancy Support Services at The scheme. The post holders principal responsibilities are as follows;- (i) to deliver comprehensive Housing Management services to ensure the scheme is safe, clean and well maintained to a high standard; (ii) to let vacant properties minimising void periods (iii) to support tenants to sustain their tenancies with the Organisation and where necessary to enforce the conditions of tenancy and (iv) to facilitate a programme of appropriate activities for tenants The post holder will ensure they understand and consistently implement the Organisation’s Housing Management Policies and Procedures making any recommendations for change. Please note this Job Vacancy requires a DBS Role Specific Responsibilities 1. Housing Allocations and Void Management 1.1 To ensure void periods are minimised in accordance with the Organisation’s Allocations Policy, procedures and performance targets and to maintain void monitoring reports 1.2 Carry out pre and post void inspections arranging for necessary works to be carried out to maintain the Organisation’s letting standard. Arrange for former tenants to be recharged where necessary. 1.3 To provide advice to applicants including opportunities for potential tenants to visit the scheme and to promote the scheme generally. 1.4 Carry out detailed assessments of potential tenants to ensure eligibility and that they will be able to afford and sustain their tenancy taking account of housing support services provided and any anticipated personal care services 1.5 Sign up all new tenants explaining the responsibilities of both the Organisation as landlord and the applicants as tenants. Establish/maintain tenancy records and files. 2. Estate Management 2.1 Inspections and Quarterly Review Meetings The Housing Officer will make and document weekly ‘routine’ visual scheme inspections and comprehensive monthly inspections. 2.2 Quarterly Service Review Meetings Estate Management services will be reviewed at quarterly meetings with tenants when the Housing Officer will ensure that tenants understand the service specification and provide opportunity for tenants to feedback about whether services are being delivered in accordance with individual specification requirements. In addition there will be opportunity for tenants to consider whether individual services represent value for money, taking into account the service they receive and the service charge they pay. 2.3 Cleaning The Organisation’s engage cleaning staff who report directly to the post holder. The Housing Officer will ensure that all internal communal areas are cleaned regularly in accordance with agreed service standards (balancing the need to maintain high standards at reasonable cost to tenants) which may be varied from time-to-time following consultation with tenants. 2.4 Grounds Maintenance 2.3.1 The Housing Officer will ensure that external communal areas, including hard and soft landscaping and grass are cleaned and maintained regularly in accordance with agreed services standards. 2.3.2 The Housing Officer will endeavour to involve tenants with an interest in gardening in the ground maintenance service enabling then to have practical involvement where requested. 2.4 Service Contracts The Housing Officer will be familiar with the service contracts for the scheme (eg lifts, door entry, fire alarm system, sprinkler system) and follow the appropriate procedures to report defects and liaise closely with the Organisation’s property team. 2.5 Emergency Alarm Service The Housing Officer will be familiar with the Emergency Alarm monitoring contract reporting any service delivery issues. The Officer will ensure all tenants understand how to use the emergency alarm service and will carry out quarterly checks to ensure that the emergency alarm service is operational. 2.6 Fire Prevention and Health and Safety The Housing Officer will ensure the scheme is managed in accordance with the Organisation’s Health and Safety and Fire Prevention Policies carrying our all checks as necessary and reporting any matters of concern. 3. Tenancy Support 3.1 Intensive Housing Management Services The post holder will provide Intensive Housing Management services over and above what would usually be provided by a housing association to a tenant living in general needs housing, Tenancy Sustainment Policy refers. 3.1.1 Where tenants fail to meet their conditions of tenancy the post holder will take appropriate enforcement action including meeting with and writing to tenants and maintaining appropriate records of any incidents/actions. The Housing Officer may ultimately recommend legal action in consultation with the Director of Operations, where necessary. Appropriate records will be maintained at all times. 3.2 Lunch time Meals Service The post holder will oversee the meals service on a day-to-day basis to ensure safe, nutritious and appetising meals are provided by the appointed contractor and that they are delivered is accordance with the terms of the Organisation’s contract. The post holder will regularly sample the food on offer and review and consult regularly with tenants about the standard of the catering service provided. 3.3 24 hour ‘emergency’ Wellbeing Service 3.3.1 Daily Contact The Housing Officer will ensure that some form of contact (for example during lunch, or via the call system) is made with all tenants each day (including arrangements with Cover staff at weekends or when the Housing Officer is on leave) and that appropriate records are maintained to demonstrate that contact has been made. 3.3.2 Emergency Calls Respond to all emergency calls made by tenants using the emergency call system, responding accordingly and working sensitively with tenants to ensure the call system is used for emergency issues only and that tenants are supported to access other services they may require to enable them to sustain their tenancies, 3.3.1 above refers. 3.4 Social Events and Activities Facilitation and enablement of social events and activities both inside and outside the housing scheme including holding, as a minimum, quarterly tenants liaison meetings to discuss the success of events and potential new events going forward is an important part of the post holder’s responsibilities. The Housing Officer is required to ensure the costs of events can be appropriately funded and that they are properly accounted for. 4. Staff Management and Supervision 4.1 The post holder is responsible for the cleaning and housing staff at The scheme, and will provide information, guidance and ongoing supervision to enable staff to effectively and safely carry out their roles in accordance with agreed policies and standards of hygiene, in keeping with the stated beliefs of the Organisation. Carry out annual appraisals and monitor staff performance. 4.2 In liaison with the HR department arrange staff recruitment, induction and ongoing training and ensure staff are up to date with current best practice and statutory training. Keep appropriate records as required. 4.3 Record staff absence and annual leave, arranging cover as required 4.4 Enforce disciplinary procedures where necessary, taking advice and guidance from the Organisation’s HR consultants, and where appropriate liaising with the HR department Education & Qualifications Demonstrate evidence of appropriate qualification (CIH qualification desirable) and competence to undertake the post. Housing management experience in the voluntary, public, or private sectors. Willing to undertake training. Efficient and effective management skills. Demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, and respectfulness. Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Key Skills & Competencies Ability to manage and work within budgets, using measures of income and expenditure to plan and validate proposals. Application of Health & Safety practices. Ability to conduct Health and Safety risk assessments. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Use of IT to facilitate and support improvements to services, good communications, and useful Management Information. Ability to lead and motivate. Ability to manage conflict, disciplinary action, etc. Effective use of staff resources. Ability to manage excellent and below-standard performance. Ability to develop a delivery-focused environment. Behaviours Demonstrate awareness of different values, cultures, and needs amongst tenants, staff, and communities. Recognise and work to meet, where possible, the diverse and unique needs of each tenant. Strong commitment to non-discriminatory housing services. Ability to have ideas accepted even in the face of initial opposition. Negotiate effectively, both over points of difference and financially. Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels within and external to the Organisation, using appropriate styles with different groups, e.g., staff, tenants, relatives. Why Choose Us * Contributory pension scheme 4% to 10% matched contributions * Hybrid working * Free onsite car parking * Life assurance of 4x annual salary (Terms and Conditions apply) * 30 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays * Two volunteer days per year * Employee assistance programme (24/7 telephone advice, information portal & face to face counselling sessions) * Corporate eye care scheme providing free eye tests and free VDU glasses or contribution towards VDU glasses * Extensive annual Staff Wellbeing programme * Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave provision * Flexible annual benefits (for dental, healthcare, shopping vouchers, technology etc.) * Annual flu vaccinations * Access to an extensive range of corporate discounts on shopping, travel & days out * Social events, including lunchtime walking, rounders, festive Fridays * Travel loan General Work in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Law and be responsible for the integrity of personal information you process. This may include identifying anomalies in data and investigating and correcting them where appropriate. Ensure you attend training on data protection regularly. * Adhere to the equal opportunities policy and actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible. * Recognise, respect and promote the different roles and diversity of the individuals within the business. * Actively contribute towards key performance indicators and professional standards. * Be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant EC directives. * Take responsibility for your own development and professionalism, ensuring that you keep up to date with new developments and continuously expand and build on your knowledge. * Attend and participate in training and other meetings and staff events as required. * Be an effective member of your team, presenting a positive impression of your section and the business. * This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not comprehensive and it is expected that other duties will be undertaken as this role develops and as may be reasonably expected. * This role may require the individual to travel to various sites across our housing stock and it is expected that an individual in this role has a full driving licence and access to a car with relevant business insurance. No job description can cover every issue that arises within the post, and the post holder may be required to carry out other duties as deemed necessary, commensurate with the principal function of the post and the capability of the post holder