Temporary Accommodation Officer

West Northamptonshire Council; Northampton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

West Northamptonshire Council is seeking a proactive Housing Solutions professional to work on homelessness and housing solutions services. You will support the frontline response, managing temporary accommodation, rent accounting, and client housing needs with a solutions-based approach.

You will engage with Housing Benefit issues, housing register applications, and cross‑service collaboration to improve outcomes for vulnerable residents. A valid driving licence is preferred.

Qualifications

• Two years of relevant work experience in a customer-focused environment.
• Ability to work at a fast pace with excellent verbal and written communication.
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to problem solve and prioritise workload.

Responsibilities

• Manage occupants of interim and temporary accommodation, including move-ins, check-outs, rent accounting and day-to-day placements.
• Ensure accommodation is safe, clean and well-maintained, and allocated to minimise temporary accommodation costs.
• Support customers during their time in temporary accommodation regarding Housing Benefit and housing register applications.
• Collaborate with services, partners and organisations to achieve the best outcomes for people.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Job description

About the role

Do you have a passion for Housing, Homelessness or Property Management?

Will you thrive in a fast-paced role dealing with a wide variety of people including those with complex needs?

Are you hard working, resilient and able to think clearly under pressure with a solutions based approach?

This an exciting role operating on the frontline of West Northants Council response to Homelessness and Housing Solutions. As a new unitary Council, embedding a new structure, this is a great time to join us as we develop staff and shape the way we work in Homelessness and Housing Solutions within our local community providing the best possible service.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

What will you be doing?

Working alongside colleagues in the Homelessness & Housing Solutions Team, you will:

• Manage occupants of interim and temporary accommodation including the move-ins, check outs, rent accounting and day to day management of placements.
• Ensure that the accommodation that the Council uses is safe, clean and in a good state of repair and that it is allocated in a manner to help minimise the cost of temporary accommodation.
• Support customers during their time in temporary accommodation specifically regarding their Housing Benefit and housing register applications as well as other aspects of their life
• Working collaboratively with other services, partners and organisations to ensure the best possible outcome for people, playing an active role in changing someone's life.

About you

Candidates would have a minimum of two years relevant work experience in a customer focused environment with an ability to work at a fast pace, demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication.

You will be a skilled negotiator with an ability to problem solve, prioritise your own workload and make effective contributions to an incredible team. The successful candidate will be resilient, a self-starter and able to make sound decisions.

Applicants must possess a valid driving licence and access to a car.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Our benefits

You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.

About us

At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

Our vision is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.

If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email [e-mail] for support.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.