Accommodation Finder - Fixed Term

Cambridge City Council; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Flexible working

Annual leave 25–30 days

Cycle to Work

Staff discounts

Job summary

Cambridge City Council is seeking an Accommodation Finder to help secure private sector housing for families and couples in Cambridge and the surrounding sub-region. You will assess options, negotiate with landlords, and guide tenants to realistic housing choices, while collaborating with a supportive Housing Advice Team.

The role is full-time with a flexible working arrangement, including on-site, office-based, or home working, and is fixed-term until 30 September 2027.

Qualifications

• Ability to quickly understand the private rental market in Cambridge and the surrounding sub-region.
• Good understanding of private sector housing law.
• Ability to negotiate with landlords to secure suitable accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Find homes in the private sector for couples and families through the Family Accommodation Finder service.
• Negotiate with landlords and use influencing skills to guide tenants’ housing choices.
• Work as part of a wider Housing Advice Team and exercise initiative and decision-making.

Skills

Negotiation

Influencing

Landlord liaison

Job description

Job Description

Do you want to help end rough sleeping in Cambridge? Do you want to join a team that has an excellent track record of helping homeless families into safe, suitable accommodation? Do you have a passion for helping refugees into safe and secure accommodation?

The Role and About the Person you are looking for

As one of four Accommodation Finders working alongside the Council’s Housing Advice Team, you will help find homes in the private sector for couples and families through our Family Accommodation Finder service.

The ideal candidate will be someone who has, or who shows ability to quickly develop an excellent understanding of the private rental market in Cambridge and the Cambridge sub-region, and a good understanding of private sector housing law. You will quickly become familiar with the various schemes the Council has introduced to make it easier for people on low incomes to find and sustain a private sector tenancy.

You will use this knowledge to negotiate with landlords while using your influencing skills to help prospective tenants to make realistic choices about their housing options. While working as part of a wider team, you will be given significant freedom to make decisions and show initiative.

For informal enquiries please contact Laurence Pearce by emailing [e-mail]

Why join us?

As well as being part of a supportive team delivering meaningful work that directly impacts our communities, we offer a supportive and rewarding working environment along with a wide range of benefits, including:

• Excellent learning and development opportunities supported via a range of sources and methods and, where applicable, recognised through Digital Badges
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme(LGPS) and Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared AVC) Scheme
• Agile and Flexible working options
• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years’ service, plus 8 days public holidays (pro rata for part time), with the option to purchase additional leave
• Family friendly policies and Flexible Bank Holidays
• Confidential wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and Your Care wellbeing platform
• Staff reward and recognition framework, including an annual staff awards ceremony
• Professional Membership Fees paid for, dependent on role
• Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work, Gym Membership and Home & Electronics
• Lifestyle Savings with over 750 discounts from the UK’s leading retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and more
• Free swimming at CCC swimming pools
• Subsidy for public transport
• Relocation Assistance may be payable in approved cases
• Annually negotiated pay and award progression

Hours

This is a full-time role, for 37 hours per week.

Although the role is advertised as full time, if you believe you have the skills and experience to join us and would like to discuss different working patterns, please do get in touch.

Contract

Fixed Term until 30 September 2027.

Salary

£33,672-£37,562 per annum (City Pay Band 4), pro rata for part time.

Location

This is flexible – working in Cambridge on site or at one of our offices or working from home. You will be able to balance your work location accordingly.

More Information

You can click on the links here to find out more information about Staff Pay and Benefits, Working for the Council, our Values & Behaviours, Equality & Diversity in Recruitment or Our People & Culture Strategy.

If you would like an informal chat, please contact Laurence Pearce on 01223 457912 or email [e-mail]

Equal Opportunities

Cambridge City Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and embraces diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Secondment Policy

For City Council employees who apply for the role on a secondment basis, please note that you should refer to the Secondment Policy. Please note that agreement will need to be obtained from your line manager before the secondment can be confirmed.