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Exeter City Council; Exeter; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Exeter City Council is seeking an Allocations Officer to manage the housing register and support applicants through Devon Home Choice allocations. The role requires strong organisational and analytical skills, along with the ability to interact with a diverse range of customers, including vulnerable households.

The post focuses on fair and compliant allocations, working with partners to provide accurate advice and data-driven decisions. 12-month maternity cover on a full-time basis.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy frontline service.
• Ability to interpret policy and apply it to cases.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good numerical and data recording abilities.
• Empathy and professionalism when dealing with vulnerable customers.

Responsibilities

• Manage the housing register and Devon Home Choice allocations process.
• Assess applications and determine priority in line with policy.
• Advise customers on housing options and rights.
• Collaborate with partners to support applicants.
• Maintain accurate records and generate reports.

Skills

Customer service

Policy interpretation

Data analysis

Record keeping

Stakeholder communication

Education

A-Level or equivalent experience

Tools

Housing IT systems

Databases

Reporting software

Job description

The ideal candidate will be a highly organised and customer-focused professional with experience of working in a busy frontline service and managing a varied caseload. They will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling them to support a diverse range of customers, including vulnerable households, with empathy and professionalism. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and apply policy are essential, alongside confidence in using IT systems and databases. The successful candidate will demonstrate a positive, non-judgemental approach, a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to work effectively under pressure while delivering high standards of customer service.

About the role:

The Allocations Officer plays a key role in managing the housing register and supporting applicants through the Devon Home Choice allocations process. The role involves assessing housing applications, determining priority in line with legislation and policy, providing advice on housing options, and working with customers, partner agencies and stakeholders to help people access suitable housing. The post requires a customer-focused approach, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to support vulnerable households while ensuring allocations are carried out fairly, consistently and in accordance with the Council's policies and procedures.

Educated to A-Level standard or able to demonstrate equivalent experience and strong analytical, numerical and written skills.

Experience of working in a busy, customer-focused frontline service.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of customers and stakeholders

Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.

Ability to analyse complex information and apply policy, procedures and legislation appropriately.

Competent in using IT systems and databases to maintain accurate records and produce reports.

Understanding of housing need, equality and diversity, safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Ability to travel to meetings and events, including occasional work outside normal office hours.

About the team:

This is an exciting opportunity to join Exeter City Council's Devon Home Choice within the Early Intervention and Prevention Team on a 12-month maternity cover contract. We are a dynamic and evolving service within the Housing Needs and Homelessness Team, committed to preventing homelessness and helping people access safe, suitable and sustainable housing as early as possible. Working closely with partners across the city, the team delivers housing advice, homelessness prevention, and Devon Home Choice allocations services, supporting some of Exeter's most vulnerable residents. This role offers the chance to make a real difference to people's lives while contributing to a service that plays a vital role in meeting the city's housing needs and creating positive outcomes for our communities.

We reserve the right to close any vacancy before the closing date if enough applications are received.

Our commitment

At Exeter City Council we are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

To support this commitment we will strive to implement reasonable adjustments to support any members of our communities who face barriers in recruitment processes, irrespective of the reason.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.