Housing Standards Enforcement Officer Apprentice

Old Moat; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is offering a full-time temporary trainee position in housing enforcement. The successful applicant will undertake a three-year apprenticeship to gain qualifications, conducting inspections and assessments of properties to promote better living conditions. This role includes opportunities to address legal responsibilities for landlords and will lead to salary increases upon completion of the apprenticeship. Candidates passionate about social impact are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Learning opportunities

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Passionate about helping people and learning technical skills.
• Open to meeting diverse people and conducting assessments.
• Eager to address poor housing conditions.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and assess properties for hazards.
• Advise landlords on legal responsibilities.
• Take legal action against negligent property owners.

Skills

Communications skills

Literacy and numeracy

Ability to assess property hazards

Education

Functional skills equivalent in Maths and English

Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and/or English

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: 2 x Full-Time, Temporary (3 Years)

Closing Date: 07 January 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This role is subject to -

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.

BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) clearance - this post is subject to BPSS checks. You will therefore be required to consent to and comply with BPSS checking requirements prior to commencing in this post. This check involves verification of identity; nationality and immigration status; employment history (past 3 years) and basic criminal record check.

Proof of Greater Manchester Residency – Roles at Grade 1 to 3, traineeships, or apprenticeships will initially only be advertised to Greater Manchester residents and internal candidates. An applicant is classed as a resident of Greater Manchester if they live within the boundaries of a city within Greater Manchester; i.e. Any Council Tax liability for their home would be with one of Greater Manchester City Council. To check if you fall under the Greater Manchester City Council boundary please visit - https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Casual Car Documentation - The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.

This role is a higher-level apprenticeship and as such, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a course of study leading to a Housing Diploma. If you do not hold grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and or English you will be required to pass a functional skills equivalent as part of the apprenticeship. This qualification will take 30 months and on successful completion, annual salary will increase to £29,064.

Greater Manchester’s ten councils are each looking to recruit a trainee to kickstart their careers in enforcement against poor housing and bad landlords. To go apply find the individual councils’ adverts on Housing Standards Enforcement Officer Apprentice in Hammerstone Road Depot, Hammerstone Road, Manchester, M18 8EQ - Manchester City Council

Over the course of this three-year entry-level role, you will gain two qualifications, including a level 4 apprenticeship, and see your salary rise as you progress.

Too many people in Greater Manchester live in substandard rented homes that are taking a toll on their health and happiness. Housing standards officers hold unique legal powers to conduct property checks and tackle this. As a trainee you will develop all the skills you need to help people to live in better quality rented homes.

Working alongside experienced enforcement professionals, you will learn how to inspect and assess properties for hazards, advise landlords on their legal responsibilities and, ultimately, take legal action and prosecute the worst offending property owners.

During your role, you will work towards achieving a Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprenticeship, followed by a Level 5 Diploma endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, nationally recognised qualifications for these in‑demand professionals.

About the Candidate

The ideal candidates will be passionate about helping people and enthusiastic to learn the technical and people skills enforcement officers need, from assessing and diagnosing property hazards to being assertive and having difficult conversations.

You will be open to meeting people from across a range of different backgrounds and visiting them in their homes to conduct assessments, which are central elements of the role.

Whether you are at the start of your career or considering a career change, you will have good communications skills, literacy and numeracy, and an eagerness to improve bad housing.

More information about the criteria for candidates can be found in the job description / role profile.

We welcome applicants who have previously attended further education and encourage you to apply to gain new skills to specialise in a different area. This is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons! However, it is important to highlight, due to the Department of Education’s funding rules for Apprenticeships, you would be ineligible to apply for this apprenticeship role if you currently have a qualification at Level 4 or above in Housing or similar field. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if it is found that your prior qualifications conflict with the apprenticeship framework.

About Us

Greater Manchester’s ten local councils are Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. You will work in one of our dedicated enforcement teams, alongside experienced officers who will work with you to achieve your qualifications and get the real‑world experience you need for a career in enforcement.

We are each running our own recruitment process for this role. To apply to one of us and learn more about how we work as employers, use the links on greater.jobs - Home

Manchester City Council

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance‑ Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension‑ You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave‑ Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks‑ Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow‑ We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member‑ We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave‑ Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long‑term condition

When You Join Us

• A Workplace Adjustment Hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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