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Housing Options Officer

Employer
North Warwickshire Borough Council
Location
The Council House, Atherstone, Warwickshire
Salary
£24,313 to £26,317 per annum plus Essential User Car Allowance
Closing date
15 Sep 2019
Reference
NWBC/HOO/August 2019

View more

Sector
Local Councils
Job Type
Housing
Contract Type
Full time permanent
Working Pattern
See advert details
Hours
Full-Time

Job Details

37 hours per week

Benefits to you:

• Essential User Car Allowance
• 21 days holiday rising to 26 days after 5 years continuous service
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexitime Scheme
• Discounted Leisure Centre Membership
• Free Parking


An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Housing Division’s Housing Options and Lettings team for a pro-active individual capable of delivering positive outcomes for our customers.  As a Housing Options Officer, you will be working with customers to assess their housing circumstances in accordance with the Council’s Lettings Scheme and providing advice about the housing options available to them. 

You will see homeless applicants, assess their needs and deliver the services required for the prevention and relief statutory duties and keep cases under review.  This will include undertaking a needs assessment of the household and developing personal housing plans to achieve a positive outcome. You will work closely with partner agencies to provide support services for applicants as well as establishing a network of contacts to assist with providing a comprehensive advice and options service for customers.

You will require experience of assessing customer’s circumstances for access to services and a working knowledge of homelessness legislation is essential.  You will have the ability to make decisions in accordance with homelessness legislation and be able to convey this to applicants, offering appropriate advice and support to ensure they are not homeless.  Excellent customer service skills and experience of working in front line customer services is essential.  You will also require excellent communications skills, both written and oral with the ability to present information clearly in a way that promotes understanding. 

Working as part of a small team, you will be able to work under pressure and be able to plan and manage your workload.  You will have a positive and approachable manner and the ability to work flexibly.  A positive and pro-active approach to dealing with challenging issues is essential. Use of a car for work and a valid driving licence are essential to this role.
  
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and, as such, appointment will be conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of criminal records via the Disclosure and Barring Service, before the appointment is confirmed.  This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. A Standard Disclosure will be required.

Should you require further information about this position, please contact Helen Parton, Housing Services Manager on (01827) 719494 or Mandy Rashid, Housing Options and Lettings Team Leader on (01827) 719313.

Application forms can be obtained by telephoning (01827) 715341 (24 hour answer service) or by visiting the Councils website www.northwarks.gov.uk/jobs

                                          

Company

Working for us

North Warwickshire Borough Council is a small authority, but we offer a rich variety of rewarding roles.

Our employees are committed to serving the whole community. Everyone’s contribution is valued and staff at all levels get the opportunity to contribute to working groups that make a difference for our staff and the community we serve. We have an agreed staff charter, which lays out how we work.

Staff Charter

I have an expectation that I will:

  1. Be valued
  2. Be supported
  3. Be able to contribute to the running of my team
  4. Be trained and developed appropriately
  5. Be treated with dignity and respect
  6. Be consulted on change
  7. Enjoy work life balance
  8. Have a healthy and safe working environment

I have a responsibility to:

  1. Be customer focused
  2. Be a team player
  3. Develop the skills to carry out my job
  4. Perform to the best of my abilities
  5. Promote the Borough Council
  6. Participate in improving services
  7. Raise any concerns early
  8. Support service provision to meet the Council’s vision and plans
  9. Treat people with dignity and respect

We will do this by:

  1. Accessibility to flexible working arrangements where possible
  2. Arranging appraisals (including half yearly review) 
  3. Providing enough time, resources and training to do the job
  4. Performance management
  5. Having training plans
  6. Learning from mistakes
  7. Listening to and learning from staff suggestions
  8. Effective performance management

How to apply before making an application

To apply through this website, select the 'Apply now' option within the job advert of your choice. This will take you direct to the job on our own North Warwickshire Borough Councils website.

Our preference is that we receive applications online as this enables us to provide a faster and more efficient service. However, if this not an option for you, please contact (01827) 715341 (24 hour answer service) where you can request a job pack.

Following your application

Where possible, we will include the planned interview date in the job advert so that you can make arrangements in advance to attend the interview or selection process.

When you visit us, you can expect a panel interview using structured interview questions. Depending on the post you are applying for, you may also be asked to undertake another form of assessment, such as a written test or a presentation. You will also be required to bring proof of your identity. All the details about the interview will be provided beforehand in your invitation.

Following the interview, we will let you know if you have been successful or not. We aim to do this within 48 hours or as soon as possible after that. You will be able to request feedback should you wish to do so.

Learning & Development

The Council is committed to investing in its people. We are fully supportive of developing our employees to their full potential, which enables them to make a positive contribution to the effectiveness of our services.

Right at the beginning of your employment, your manager will take you through a comprehensive induction. At this stage, any training and development needs will be identified. You will also have your own plan, which your manager will support and monitor with you (through the Supported Introduction to Employment process).

The development doesn’t stop there, however. It's ongoing throughout your employment. Training and development needs are identified through the Council’s appraisal scheme. At these appraisals, both you and your manager will identify the most appropriate activity to meet your development needs. This could include course-based training, vocational programmes, seminars, conferences, reading, planned work experience or on-the-job instruction.

Benefits & Rewards

We offer all employees the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The standard full-time working week is 37 hours. The Council also has a flexi-time system that gives those employees that qualify some control over the hours that they work. Where it's practical, we also offer various alternative working arrangements such as part-time working, term-time only contracts, homeworking and compressed working hours.

We work closely with the trade unions and consult widely in matters affecting employees, in relation to both terms and conditions and in developing policies and procedures. Information on how to become a union member is on the employee intranet site.

Both unions and management are committed to providing a good and safe working environment by agreeing local procedures and by providing an occupational health service. From time to time, we will run events promoting healthy lifestyles. Where necessary, we will also provide a free counselling service.

A generous relocation package is available to eligible employees, who need to move home as a result of accepting an appointment. The scheme provides help towards removal expenses, legal fees, estate agent fees, disturbance expenses and additional accommodation costs.

Other eligible benefits are maternity leave above the statutory requirement, childcare vouchers, and an assisted car purchase scheme.

Armed Forces Covenant

We are proud signatories of the Armed Force Covenant and actively work to ensure that we continue to deliver on our commitment as stated in the Covenant. In 2018 we were awarded the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. We have a range of internal processes and policies to support our Armed Forces Communities.

 

Armed Forces Covenant image

Company info
Website
Telephone
01827 715341
Location
North Warwickshire Borough Council
Council House
South Street
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 1DE
GB

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