Housing Options Officer (Overseas Arrivals Lead)

Uttlesford District Council; Saffron Walden; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced housing professional to join their Housing Options Team. This role focuses on preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals, particularly overseas arrivals from Ukraine and Afghanistan. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of local authority homelessness duties and possess excellent customer care skills. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the community by creatively solving housing challenges and providing essential support to those in need. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working under pressure, this could be the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in the homelessness sector with a focus on customer care.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support overseas arrivals from Ukraine and Afghanistan with housing options.
• Prevent homelessness and provide advice to vulnerable customers.

Skills

Customer Care Skills

Creative Thinking

Persuasiveness

Record Keeping

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Education

Experience in Housing Sector

Understanding of Homelessness Duties

Tools

Electronic Database Management

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

We are looking for an experienced housing professional to join the council’s Housing Options Team.

You would become a member of a small team focusing on preventing homelessness and offering help and advice to customers who are in housing need and may be vulnerable. We need someone who can comprehend the often complex needs of individuals within our community and who will relish the challenge of finding solutions for them. This role will be the lead officer visiting and supporting a caseload of overseas arrivals from Ukraine and Afghanistan supporting them to navigate their housing options and homelessness.

Ideally you will already be working within the homelessness sector and have a good understanding of a local authorities homelessness duties. However we would also consider applications from people who have other relevant experience within housing and the skills needed to work within this frontline team.

The right person will need to proactively manage a diverse workload, meet deadlines and have the ability to remain calm under pressure. They will also have good computer skills, be great at keeping accurate records on our electronic database and enjoy working collaboratively.

Other essential requirements for this post are great customer care skills, the ability to think creatively, to be encouraging, persuasive and to be able to work flexibly.

For an informal discussion please contact Ross Hefford [e-mail]

To find out more and apply please visit https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/jobs-careers

Closing date for completed applications is Saturday 31 May 2025
It is intended that interviews will be held on Tuesday 10 June 2025.

CVs will not be accepted.

Uttlesford District Council is an inclusive employer and we welcome applications from all. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and proud to support our Care Leavers and the Armed Forces Covenant. Anyone disclosing a disability or is a Care leaver or is a member of the Armed Forces community (Veteran/Service leaver, Reserve Forces, or their Spouses/Partners or Cadet Force Adult Volunteer) whose application meets the essential criteria for the post will be guaranteed an interview.