Housing Officer

To deliver an efficient customer-focused service, ensuring maximum performance levels and continuous improvements in all areas of housing management services.

Principal Responsibilities

• To take ownership and responsibility for the social and physical environment of a defined geographical service area.
• To ensure that the estate environment is maintained to a high standard.
• To be responsible for the achievement of performance targets within a defined geographical area.
• To be responsible for maximising various income streams to the authority and our tenants, including housing and other benefits.
• To deal with issues of anti-social behaviour, nuisance and work with other agencies to help create safe and sustainable communities.
• To enforce tenancy conditions where appropriate.
• Supervise and manage staff as required.
• Provide appropriate advice and support to customers.
• To ensure the Council's safeguarding procedures are followed where appropriate.
• To actively develop and promote tenant engagement and involvement through a variety of different approaches.
• To work with partner services, elected members and local communities to deliver and develop services and improvements in a defined area.
• To work within Council policies and procedures including data protection and financial regulations.
• To ensure the Council’s health and safety policies and legal requirements are adhered to.
• To contribute to the development, review and improvement of policies and strategies in line with current legislation and best practice.
• To support the achievement of equality and diversity in both employment and service delivery including the promotion of equality of opportunity.
• Promote and deliver the priorities, values and objectives of Leeds City Council at all times.

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 or Certificate.

Qualifications And Knowledge

• Knowledge of the role of the Council Housing Service and its responsibilities in managing homes and communities.
• Knowledge of current housing issues, legislation, policies and local strategies and initiatives.
• Awareness of customer engagement opportunities, enabling customers to help design and evaluate services.
• A good understanding of equality issues in the day to day delivery of services.
• Knowledge of the Council’s Allocations and Lettings procedures.
• Knowledge of effective income management practices.
• Knowledge of effective anti-social behaviour remedies and best practice.
• Awareness of how social and environmental conditions affect quality of life.

Specific Skills And Competencies

• To be able to communicate effectively with customers, colleagues, elected members and all other partners.
• Able to supervise and manage colleagues.
• Able to use a wide range of communication tools appropriate to the customer's preferred method.
• Able to show empathy, act tactfully and sympathetically with customers over a range of issues.
• Able to manage competing demands and priorities to meet deadlines.
• Able to make objective decisions in the interests of achieving local priorities.
• Able to input, maintain and retrieve information accurately from a variety of sources.
• Able to objectively investigate and clearly report (in writing or verbally) on a range of issues.
• To work within budgets.
• Able to adapt behaviours to achieve positive outcomes.

Experience

• Experience of working with other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for customers.
• Experience of supervising colleagues.
• Experience of taking and responding to a broad range of customer enquiries.
• Experience of playing a key role within a community.
• Experience of working with the public.
• Experience of working to deadlines and adapting to competing priorities.
• Experience of working in a busy customer-focused team.
• Experience of working with a range of computer software packages including Microsoft Office.

Behavioural And Other Characteristics Required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.