Housing Lettings Officer

Housing Lettings Officer
Salary and grade: £36,032 per year, Grade 5
Duration of role: Fixed term contract for 12 months
Hours per week: 37
Location: The designated office base is Abbey House, Abingdon. The councils operate in a truly flexible, and hybrid way where the focus is on outcomes not where you work.
Closing date: 4 June 2024
Interviews: to take place on 7 June 2024
About the role and what we’re looking for
The aim of the Housing Needs team is to help people access the support and accommodation required to meet their housing need. We are now recruiting for a Lettings Officer who will play a key role in meeting this aim by providing an efficient and effective housing service.
Main duties and responsibilities:
• to assess Health and Welfare applications in line with the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy
• to assess Additional Bedroom Questionnaires in line with the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy
• to make formal review decisions regarding an applicant’s eligibility to join the housing register or to review their housing need banding.
• to offer advice and assistance on matters relating to the Council’s housing registers and Choice Based lettings schemes.
• to nominate successful applicants to Registered Providers in accordance with the Councils’ Housing Allocations Policy and Homechoice Agreements.
• responsibility for liaising with the police over public safety issues concerning re-housing dangerous offenders and sex offenders.
• to liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure appropriate support packages are in place for nominated applicants.
• to operate the Council’s allocations scheme and nominations to housing providers.
• to liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure appropriate support packages are in place for our customers.
• to maintain accurate computer records for all housing applicants and offers of accommodation.
• assist in the implementation of new policies, procedures and legislation.
• any other duties relevant to the position and appropriate to the grading of the post.
The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.
Your essential skills, knowledge and experience
• a good knowledge of housing legislation and tenancy law.
• a good knowledge and understanding of welfare benefits
• ability to use IT systems
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• good interpersonal skills
• understanding of confidentiality
• ability to devise appropriate outcomes for customers and work on own initiative
• experience of dealing with vulnerable people and people who are distressed
Your essential qualifications
• 5 GCSEs at grades A – C, including mathematics, or equivalent level of qualification
• experience of working in social housing or local government
If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus
• professional housing qualification
• familiarity with the district and in particular housing issues
• knowledge of Abritas, the housing database
Your style and behaviours
• enthusiastic and positive attitude
• commitment to excellent customer service
• ability to work well in a team
• ability to cope with a high volume of work
• ability to demonstrate a caring and empathetic attitude while maintaining professional detachment
• positive attitude to professional and personal development
• professional appearance and manner
• understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
Our vision
We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high-quality cost-effective services.
Our values
• We act with integrity and show respect
• We are all accountable
• We are passionate about our business
• We strive for simplicity
• We love success
The benefits we offer
• A basic 25-day annual leave per annum, rising to 30 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love!
• Salary pays awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.
• A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
• The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work!
• Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, free eye tests for DSE users and more)
• We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.
• A range of resources, support, and activities to help you maintain your wellbeing including a monthly wellbeing hour in addition to annualised hours (the ability to work flexibly as long as, over the course of the year, you complete your contracted hours) and annual leave.
You may have experience in the following: Housing Lettings Officer, Lettings Officer, Housing Officer, Housing Assessment Officer, Allocations Officer, Housing Advisor, Housing Needs Officer, Housing Options Officer, Housing Support Officer, Social Housing Officer, etc.
REF-214 209