Principal Housing Enforcement Officer

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

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking two housing professionals to oversee high-volume housing enforcement responsibilities within a progressive Housing Standards Service. Applicants should possess relevant qualifications and experience in housing enforcement, and will benefit from generous local government rewards including salary increases with tenure, hybrid working options, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

27 days holiday, rising to 32 days

Option to purchase additional annual leave

Excellent work/life balance

Hybrid working model

Pension scheme with contributions

Access to an Employee Assistance Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Staff networks for diversity and wellbeing

Qualifications

• Significant experience in housing enforcement.
• Experience in liaising with private landlords and owners.
• Proven ability in partnership working.

Responsibilities

• Lead enforcement of Private Sector Housing functions.
• Manage a team of enforcement officers.
• Collaborate with various internal and external agencies.

Skills

Planning

Management

Partnership Working

Education

Level 4 or equivalent in Environmental Health or Housing

Formal HHSRS competency qualification

Job description

We are looking for two experienced housing professionals with the ability to effectively plan and manage a high-volume and complex housing enforcement workload and who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of enforcement officers within the Selective Licensing Team.

This is an exciting time to join a progressive Housing Standards Service ahead of the Renters Rights Act expected later in the year.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will lead the enforcement element of Private Sector Housing functions in relation to Parts 1, 3 and 4 of the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation.

You will ensure positive joint working arrangements with Environmental Health, trading standards, social care, housing solutions and a range of other internal teams and external agencies.

We encourage you to contact Victoria Hall, Housing Standards Manager via email at [e-mail] or 07721178947 to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need a Level 4 or equivalent in an Environmental Health or Housing related field and a Formal HHSRS competency qualification.

You should have significant experience of working within a housing enforcement remit as well as partnership working and liaising with private landlords and owners.

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

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 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/
Like us on Facebookhttps://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 on Monday 14 July 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] ortelephone [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 Noticehttps://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf

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