Housing Officer

Durham County Council; Seaham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established local authority is seeking dedicated Housing Officers to enhance the quality of life for customers. This role involves preventing homelessness through comprehensive assessments and personal housing plans. You will collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure that households receive the support they need. With a commitment to equality and diversity, this position offers a hybrid working model, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Join a forward-thinking council dedicated to making a real difference in the community.

Benefits

27 days holiday per year

Option to purchase additional leave

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working model

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing Portal access

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Employee Benefits Portal

Trade Union membership

Qualifications

• Experience within housing, homelessness, or support services.
• Ability to deal effectively and sympathetically with clients.

Responsibilities

• Carry out statutory duties to prevent and relieve homelessness.
• Complete personal housing plans for households.
• Work with households and partner agencies.

Skills

Knowledge of housing legislation

Experience in homelessness services

Effective communication skills

Ability to handle sensitive situations

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

We are looking for several Housing Officers who have acaring approach and a desire to achieve a high quality of life for customers for a period of 2 years.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will carry out the local authorities’ statutory duties to prevent and relieve homelessness. This will require a full assessment of a households’ housing and support needs including the completion of a Plan (personal housing plan). The primary purpose of the role is to work with households and partner agencies to prevent homelessness

We encourage you to contact Verity Deschacht, Senior Housing Officer via email at [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will hold a NVQ Level 2 or equivalent and have experience within a housing, homelessness or support related service.

You will have knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation and have the ability to deal with people effectively and sympathetically in sometimes difficult and sensitive situations.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

BENEFITS AND REWARDS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits

SOCIAL MEDIA
Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council!

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers

HYBRID WORKING
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held wee commencing 19 May 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email on [e-mail] or telephone [phone] – Option 5.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM [e-mail] AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf

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