Allocations Officer- Devon Home Choice

Exeter City Council; Exeter; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Exeter City Council is seeking an allocations professional to manage the housing register and support applicants through the Devon Home Choice process.

The role requires assessing housing applications, applying policy to determine priority, and advising customers, partner agencies and stakeholders to help people access suitable housing. It is a maternity cover contract within the Early Intervention and Prevention Team.

Qualifications

• Experience in busy frontline service with a varied caseload.
• Ability to interpret and apply policy with accuracy.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with empathy.

Responsibilities

• Manage the housing register and Devon Home Choice allocations.
• Assess applications, determine priority per legislation and policy, and provide housing options advice.

Skills

Customer service

Policy interpretation

Decision making

IT systems

Job description

Job description

About you:

The ideal candidate will be a highly organised and customer-focused professional with experience of working in a busy frontline service and managing a varied caseload. They will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling them to support a diverse range of customers, including vulnerable households, with empathy and professionalism. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and apply policy are essential, alongside confidence in using IT systems and databases. The successful candidate will demonstrate a positive, non-judgemental approach, a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to work effectively under pressure while delivering high standards of customer service.

About the role:

The Allocations Officer plays a key role in managing the housing register and supporting applicants through the Devon Home Choice allocations process. The role involves assessing housing applications, determining priority in line with legislation and policy, providing advice on housing options, and working with customers, partner agencies and stakeholders to help people access suitable housing. The post requires a customer-focused approach, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to support vulnerable households while ensuring allocations are carried out fairly, consistently and in accordance with the Council's policies and procedures.

About the team:

This is an exciting opportunity to join Exeter City Council's Devon Home Choice within the Early Intervention and Prevention Team on a 12-month maternity cover contract. We are a dynamic and evolving service within the Housing Needs and Homelessness Team, committed to preventing homelessness and helping people access safe, suitable and sustainable housing as early as possible. Working closely with partners across the city, the team delivers housing advice, homelessness prevention, and Devon Home Choice allocations services, supporting some of Exeter's most vulnerable residents. This role offers the chance to make a real difference to people's lives while contributing to a service that plays a vital role in meeting the city's housing needs and creating positive outcomes for our communities.