Community Safety Liaison Officer - Req23108

Fixed Term until 31st March 2025.

Rota basis to include Tuesday to Saturday and evenings. 

As a Community Safety Liaison Officer you’ll thrive on building relationships with the public, community groups and LeedsWatch partners.

This post is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is fixed term until 31st March 2025. 

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Community Safety Liaison Officer, you will bring to the role:

• Patrolling priority areas to offer public reassurance and respond to on street Community Safety issues
• Working with the community, businesses and key stakeholders
• Engage and respond to customers and clients on a 1 to 1 or group basis
• Undertake dynamic risk assessments

A full UK driving license is essential for this role. 

About the role

The Safer, Stronger Communities Team are looking to appoint 4x Community Safety Liaison Officers. This role includes working closely with partnership services, vulnerable service users, members of the public and businesses. This role involves developing capable guardianship with key networks (both individual and group based) to develop a tactical picture to reduce crime & ASB concerns, through proactive agile deployment of high visibility patrols.

​What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

​How to apply

Apply for this job online. 

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

​We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

This post is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is temporary until 31st March 2025

To develop capable guardianship with key networks (both individual and group based) to develop a tactical picture to reduce crime & ASB concerns, through proactive agile deployment of high visibility patrols. 

To liaise with key partners to pass on intelligence and deliver reductions in crime and ASB including improvements to the physical environment aiming to develop a “broken window” style approach to tackling place-based issues, fully engaging with business groups, local Councillors, Priority Neighbourhood Projects & Boards.

You will be required to carry out your duties in accordance with operational procedures, codes of practice and relevant legislation to ensure the security, integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of information.

You will produce and maintain detailed records and evidential material in a clear and accurate format.

To work flexibly including weekends, evenings, and bank holidays, as required by the rota.

Responsibilities:

• To be proactive and use own initiative and judgment where appropriate
• To comply with all operational procedures and working guidelines.
• To work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, and the ongoing development of the service.
• To contribute to the development and promotion of LeedsWatch.
• To work individually and as part of a team to ensure your key performance indicators, objectives and targets are met.
• Work with the Police, LASBT, Environmental Services, Parks & Countryside, Youth Service, and other agencies to provide an appropriate response to reported issues and incidents.
• Using a range of communication to tools e.g., Radios, telephone, body cameras, mobile CCTV equipment.
• To always maintain a polite and professional manner especially if difficult or abusive situations arise.
• To engage and respond to customers and clients on 1 to 1 or group basis to gather concerns and respond appropriately.
• To inform the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) through your personal Radio when arriving and departing all sites, and of your general movements throughout your shift.
• Record details passed to you from businesses, partners, key individuals, groups & networks and ensure these details are recorded and sign-posted to appropriate agencies for action or intelligence.
• To undertake and complete administrative procedures within the service if required.
• To undertake dynamic risk assessments when arriving on site to ensure own Health and Safety is not compromised.
• To work in a cooperative environment and share knowledge and best practice with colleagues and managers across the service where appropriate.
• To comply with the Health and Safety policies of the City Council and legislation
• To always maintain complete confidentiality.
• To fully understand and adhere to the requirements of Data Protection legislation and Council Policies
• To carry out duties in accordance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and other policies which respect the rights and needs of customers
• Patrolling priority areas to offer public reassurance and respond to on street Community Safety issues ~ on foot or vehicle.
• Record, report and refer incidents and issues to relevant internal and external partners.
• Exercise any delegated powers and/or enforcement as authorised.
• Monitor, report and support joint cleansing operations.
• Work collaboratively on local joint operations including Night Safe Leeds, Servitor, action days.
• First Aider response as required.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Qualifications

The post requires an experienced project worker with substantial leadership and management skills, working within a service which supports community work.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

• Must possess a full current UK drivers Licence.
• Able to keep accurate records and to understand regulations, policy, and legislation.
• Ability to contribute to team building and team working.
• Ability to be proactive and work on own initiative, accept responsibility and make decisions within agreed criteria.
• Able to work flexibly in a team and responding positively to changing needs and circumstances.
• Able to work with minimum of supervision.
• Ability to prepare accurate information and produce witness statements and attend court and give evidence, as required.
• Ability to investigate and assess the most appropriate course of action to resolve issues and prevent reoccurrences.
• Ability to listen actively, ask questions, clarify points, and check understanding.
• Ability to liaise effectively with internal and external partners, businesses, organisations, staff in other departments and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the public in different situations modifying style and response as appropriate.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence and deal positively and objectively with challenging situations.

Knowledge Required

• To carry out all duties having regard to employee’s responsibility under the council’s Health & Safety Policies.
• An understanding of public sector issues related to this role
• Understand the requirements of confidentiality and an understanding of the Data Protection Act

Experience Required

• Experience of working with a range of computer packages
• Experience of liaising with Police and other agencies.
• Experience of working as part of a team to meet targets and deliver a responsive service.
• Experience of responding to difficult or challenging queries from members of the public
• Experience of dealing with matters that are highly sensitive and confidential.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required.

• Ability to understand and observe the Council’s Equality & Diversity Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development.
• Willing to be adaptable and flexible.
• Willing to take personal responsibility for and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.