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Housing Solutions Officer

Employer
Worcester City Council
Location
Museum and Art Gallery, Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1DT
Salary
£23,289 - £25,711 (pro rata)
Closing date
13 Jun 2021
Reference
WCTY000000577

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Sector
Local Councils
Job Type
Housing
Contract Type
Part time temporary
Working Pattern
Flexible hours
Hours
Part-Time

Job Details

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and flexible individual to join our busy Housing and Welfare Options team, providing an effective frontline housing advice, guidance and support service and assisting applicants to explore a full range of housing options available to them. 

You will have experience of working with vulnerable client groups in a busy customer focussed environment and will have knowledge and experience of housing law and practice in relation to housing allocations and homelessness. The most important qualities you will possess however are; a willingness to learn and develop new knowledge and skills; the flexibility to respond to the changing needs of the service and its customers; and a proactive and motivated attitude. 

In return we can offer you a positive working environment, opportunities for training and development, flexible working hours and a minimum of 25 days annual leave.

The role

You will be working in a busy frontline housing service and no two days will be the same. You will work with a variety of customers and other agencies to prevent homelessness and undertake homelessness investigations. You will act as the Council's first point of contact for homelessness and housing advice and will need to be confident in providing professional information and advice face to face, on the telephone and in writing.

Key requirements 

  • Knowledge of new Homelessness Reduction Act and Code of Guidance
  • Knowledge and understanding of choice based lettings
  • Knowledge of temporary accommodation duties and arrangements
  • Knowledge and understanding of the eligibility of persons from abroad
  • Knowledge of different tools which can be used to prevent homelessness
  • Knowledge of housing benefit and other welfare benefits
  • Experience of investigating homelessness and making decisions in accordance with homelessness legislation
  • Experience of carrying out structured interviews with a wide range of clients.
  • Experience of working with vulnerable client groups.
  • Experience of keeping accurate records.

Skills and experience

  • Strong team player
  • Excellent IT skills
  • Ability to work on own initiative without close supervision
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to explain complex information simply
  • Ability to make and communicate difficult decisions
  • Ability to make decisions on own initiative where necessary
  • Excellent organisational, administrative, prioritisation and time management skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a friendly, non-judgemental, approachable, sensitive and customer oriented approach

Additional information

If you want an informal discussion about the role please contact Emma Jordan, Housing and Welfare Options Team Manager, on 01905 721121 or emma.jordan@worcester.gov.uk

Closing date: 12 June 2021

Interview date: 21 June 2021

Previous applicants need not apply.

Supporting documents
Employee benefits
Role profile
Person Specification

Company

From Monday 11th December 2023 an exciting change is happening for us as an organisation - we have implemeted a new system which will improve your candidate experience! To access your candidate portal for our new system, head to https://worcester.wm-jobs.co.uk/members/

If you have an application in progress with us on, or before, Monday 11th December 2023 – don’t worry, this will continue as it normally would and there will be no impact on your application or the process. More information on our new and improved system can be found on the WMJobs help pages

Why choose Us?

This is an exciting time to join Worcester City Council!

We may not be a large local authority but we still have ambitious plans, including the development of our historic and beautiful city, increasing tourism and driving economic vibrancy.

Working for Us

Worcester City Council is always on the lookout for talented individuals, who want to make a real difference to our city and can help us to continue building on our success.

We are committed to seeking excellence in everything we do, including smarter ways of working and enhancing employee wellbeing.  We have moved away from traditional ways of working for the majority of our roles, towards hybrid working, including home working, hot desking and flexitime.

By encouraging better work-life balance, we gain a healthy, happy, engaged and thriving workforce, who then deliver meaningful outcomes for Worcester.

We will offer You

  • You will normally work a 37-hour week (although we have part time roles too). Annual leave starts at 26 days and rising to 31 days after 5 years' service, in addition to paid public holidays.
  • A generous flexitime scheme (where applicable) that can accrue an additional two days off per month
  • An additional fixed day off over the Christmas period and you can purchase up to 5 additional days' holiday per year.
  • Incremental pay increases within your grade, alongside any national pay awards.
  • Flexible working options including working from home and the right to request a variance in weekly hours and/or a reduction in hours.
  • Our valued Local Government Pension Scheme, where on average we contribute two thirds’ costs to an employee’s one third costs, with tax relief on these contributions, as well as protecting your family on your death You also have the option to exchange part of your pension for a tax-free cash sum on retirement.
  • We want you to develop and thrive in your role so we will invest in your training and professional development, including any required professional subscriptions.
  • A wide-ranging benefits platform, making your salary stretch further, with money-saving deals on your weekly groceries, high street retailers, technology purchases, holidays and luxury items, all accessible via an App on your personal devices.
  • A long service award.

Supporting Your Wellbeing

  • A free and confidential employee assistance programme (EAP), available 24 hours, to aid your work life balance.
  • Time off given for volunteering, for the benefit of Worcester.
  • Heavily subsidised leisure activities at the Council’s gyms and swimming pools (seven centres across Worcestershire).
  • Cycle to work schemes
  • Access to electric bikes for travel between sites
  • Free eye tests for visual display users and seasonal flu jabs
  • Enhanced family friendly policies and enhanced sick pay.
Company info
Website
Telephone
01905 722233
Location
Worcester City Council
The Guildhall
High Street
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR1 2EY
United Kingdom

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