Job Description
Housing Solutions Officer
Salary: Grade 8, starting at £28,340 per annum
The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.
Hours: Full time, 37 per week
Basis: Recruiting to both Permanent and 2 years fixed term contract
Place of Work: Agile working from offices in Dereham and Thetford and some home working
Would you like a job where what you do:
- makes a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in your community?
- ensures excellent quality of advice and assistance given to people threatened with homelessness?
We are seeking someone to develop innovative approaches to the prevention and relief of homelessness, carry out homeless prevention activity early and assist customers to plan for their housing need.
The successful applicants would receive training and assistance to help them learn the role, they are not expected to hit the ground running. If you have transferable skills from your current or previous roles and have the qualities we value, then this could be the right role for you.
About you:
The type of person that you are and your attitude is just as important to us as your working experience. People like dealing with you because you make things easy for them to understand and you focus on and listen to what they say. You are empathetic and will do whatever you can to help, which allows you to quickly establish rapport and build strong relationships. You are quite happy to take responsibility for your own decisions and accountabilities.
You will deal sensitively with situations that may be challenging but require clear and logical decisions to be made. You keep going no matter how difficult things get, and use setbacks as a springboard for greater success. You have an inner composure whatever the situation and are exceptionally well-organised, ensuring that everything you do is accurate and error free. Although you plan your work out in advance, you regularly re-prioritise to manage changing demands. Although you like to work within fixed guidelines you enjoy working out how things can be improved or done better.
You are passionate about providing the best possible service for our residents.
OK, I'm interested But is it really the job for me?
As a Housing Solutions Officer you will provide customers approaching the Council with timely and comprehensive housing advice and information and support to access services covering a range of housing issues including:
- Housing and tenancy rights in both private and social rented sectors and for homeowners.
- Financial advice including housing and welfare benefits, maximising income and tackling debt
- Housing options including private rented sector, housing register, specialist accommodation such as refuges, low cost home ownership, etc.
- The Council's statutory duties under the homelessness legislation
You will also:
- Give advice on the wide range of housing options available to clients in differing circumstances, including the signposting clients to relevant third parties
- Take a creative approach to preventing homelessness through the use of a comprehensive toolkit, including applying for Discretionary Housing Payments, negotiating with landlords and applying to charities for assistance to name but a few.
- Undertake homelessness prevention and relief casework-managing a varied and complex caseload.
- Work alongside colleagues in other teams to undertake landlord/tenant advice and dispute resolution
Our employees enjoy excellent conditions of service, including:
- A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
- Attractive holiday package (25 days plus bank holidays)
- Free car parking.
- Agile working arrangements.
- A newly refurbished office.
Closing date - 9am, Monday 20 March 2023
Please click the 'apply' button.