Home Moves Plus Officer (Grade 13)

Nations Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom seeks a Housing Officer to oversee housing allocations and reduce under-occupied households. The successful candidate will have a good education, experience in housing, and excellent customer service skills. You’ll be responsible for implementing best practices in housing management while working within the community to address homelessness. This role offers 37 hours per week with a competitive hourly rate of £29.55, with some hybrid working options.

Qualifications

• Good general standard of education, including English and Mathematics.
• Evidence of continuing development of professional skills through training and experience.
• Knowledge of the demographics of housing tenants and local community.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for reducing under-occupied households within housing stock.
• Manage housing allocations and lettings policy and practice.
• Identify opportunities for enabling self-serve for tenants.

Skills

Good customer service and communication skills

Able to value and promote equality and diversity

Able to build successful working relationships

Have a flexible approach to changing deadlines

Persuasive and encouraging

High degree of problem solving and decision making

Able to identify opportunities for further enabling and self-serve

Understand when to consult with others

Education

Good general standard of education (minimum to GCSE standard or equivalent)

Be a member of a professional body for housing (Chartered Institute of Housing)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Open Housing System

Homefinder Somerset

Choice Based Lettings system

Home Swapper Mutual Exchange System

Job description

Job Category

Housing

Job location

Moorland House, Moorland Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2FG, United Kingdom

Employer

Somerset Council

Hours per week

37

Start date

Immediate start

Salary

£29.55 per hour

Working pattern

3 days on site, 2 days remote working.

Role purpose

The Home Moves Plus (HMP) Project was established to make better use of the existing social housing stock in the Taunton and Wellington areas, and to mitigate the impact of Hinkley Point C construction on the housing needs of local people by creating bed spaces in the area through downsizing. The role is responsible for reducing the number of under occupied households within Somerset Council’s “in-house” landlord housing stock, thus freeing up much needed accommodation for those who need it. If the role did not exist and tenant’s circumstances change, they could find themselves living in accommodation that is no longer affordable to them and does not suit their needs. The Council will also have less ability to manage its housing stock in line with local priorities.

Qualifications

• Good general standard of education (minimum to GCSE standard or equivalent, including English and Mathematics).
• Evidence of continuing development of professional skills, e.g., through training, qualification and/or experience.
• Be a member of a professional body for housing i.e. the Chartered Institute of Housing. (Desirable)

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of the demographics of the housing tenants, the local community and wider sub regional impacts, such as Hinkley Point, in respect of properties for letting and impacts on homelessness.
• Knowledge of income management work and best practice in a housing organisation context.
• Detailed and extensive professional and technical knowledge of allocations and lettings policy and practice.
• Detailed and extensive professional and technical knowledge of wider housing management policy and practice, housing law and best practice relating to neighbourhood and tenancy management.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and housing applications (Open Housing System, Homefinder Somerset, Choice Based Lettings system, Home Swapper Mutual Exchange System).
• Knowledge of services across Somerset Council, for example Children’s services, adult social care and community mental health.
• Experience of working with elected members or in a political environment. (Desirable)
• Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and requirements.
• Experience of working in a social housing organisation.

Skills

• Good customer service and communication skills.
• Able to value and promote equality and diversity.
• Able to build successful working relationships with a range on internal and external stakeholders.
• Have a flexible approach to changing deadlines.
• Persuasive and encouraging, adopting a coaching style to support customers.
• High degree of problem solving and decision making. (Desirable)
• Able to identify opportunities for further enabling and self-serve.
• Understand when to consult with others, including specialists.