Job Details
Role information
Role: Specialist Housing Officer
Area: Neighbourhood Services, Sheltered Housing
Reports to: Sheltered Housing Manager
Responsible for: N/A
Grade: SO1
Role purpose
1.1 To deliver an enhanced tenancy and estate management service which continually improves the quality of life and satisfaction with services for older and vulnerable residents and maximises the opportunity to co-ordinate and work with key partners and stakeholders.
2. Description of duties:
2.1 Deliver a comprehensive enhanced housing management service to help residents maintain their tenancy and ensure they are able to access and receive a range of housing and support services.
2.2 Work as part of a specialist team working with older and vulnerable customers and as such be responsible for identifying ways to develop and continuously improve the service.
2.3 The post holder must always follow appropriate guidelines and procedures to ensure the Council provides the appropriate level of service in the most efficient manner.
2.4 Complete systematic monitoring and inspection of sheltered housing schemes to provide secure, clean and well maintained communal areas and services including ensuring residents needs are taken into account for planned maintenance.
2.5 Report and monitor completion of household repairs for residents less able to do so and coordinate / deploy a handy person to provide a more accessible and tailored service.
2.6 Facilitate and promote social activities within the scheme and co-ordinate the use of communal lounge and guest room to enhance the quality of life for residents.
2.7 Manage the rehousing process including working with the void works team in property services to get the property into works and receive the property back once works are complete, to carry out viewings and sign up new and transferring tenants.
2.8 Deliver a tenancy management service tailored to the needs of sheltered housing residents, including the signing up of new tenancies and enabling residents to effect changes to tenancies including successions, name changes etc…..
2.9 Identify breaches of tenancy, such as anti-social behaviour, illegal occupancy or sub-letting, and raise these with the sheltered housing manager who will direct investigations. Furthermore, to identify tenancies which should be brought to an end, and to alert the sheltered housing manager that a notice to quit should be considered, or to assist tenants or next of kin on how to end their tenancy.
2.10 Ensure the effective resettlement of new customers into vacant homes providing information about scheme facilities, tenancy related matters and local services to maximise customer satisfaction.
2.11 Maximise rent income through the effective management of rent accounts. Proactively alerting tenants to rent arrears, payment methods and signposting for help with benefits and other issues which may be preventing them from paying their rent. Actively reviewing rent accounts weekly using Iworld and printing and delivering statements and initial rent arrears letters. Logging all actions on Iworld, and identifying cases where notices may be required. Preparing notices of seeking possession (for signature by the sheltered housing manager) and delivering the notices.
2.13 Ensure there is compliance with all policies and procedures and working practices relating to health, safety and welfare of residents and the management of schemes and services including responding to emergencies.
2.14 Contribute to service development, improvement and resident involvement to achieve increasing resident satisfaction with services.
2.15 Develop and maintain effective relationships with relevant stakeholders including internal and external customers, colleagues, residents groups, support and care providers and community organisations.
2.16 Routinely record key tasks as directed, and gather and provide data to measure service performance and improve service delivery.
Selection criteria
Qualifications
– Educated to GCSE “0” Level or NVQ Level 3 or having equivalent experience. A housing qualification would be an advantage, but is not essential.
Knowledge & Experience
– An understanding of housing management
– Knowledge of safeguarding principles to ensure alerts are made efficiently and sensitively
– Experience of working in a customer facing service and dealing sensitively and effectively with customer issues, specifically with older and vulnerable customers
– Ability to use IT systems, to maintain up to date information and retrieve information quickly and accurately to help customers.
Skills and abilities
– Well organised
– Ability to work under pressure and flexibly
– Self-motivated, decisive and persuasive
– Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and sympathetically with service users
– Good at problem solving
– Strong customer care skills
– Committed to the delivery of high quality services