Care Housing Association (Care) provides specialised supported housing to almost 500 individuals with support needs across the North of England. We are seeking an experienced Housing Officer to join the growing Operations Team*.
We are a small team based in Rossendale, Lancashire, and are looking to appoint a personable and adaptable new team member, who can help us continue to provide the best possible service to our existing tenants and ensure we can maintain our quality and values as we grow.
Care is a great place to work, providing agile and flexible working options and a strong values-driven approach. We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience of working in supported housing, tackling antisocial behaviour, or in wider housing management roles.
To apply please ensure you read the role profile and person specification below, then submit a CV and a covering letter to enquiries@careha.org.uk detailing how you and your experience meet our requirements. Feel free to contact us for an informal chat about the position.
*We are also recruiting a Senior Housing Officer, please review that role profile if it is also of interest and make clear in your application which role you are applying for.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 5th December
POSITION Housing Officer
LOCATION Head Office at Rawtenstall, Lancashire + Home Working (hybrid)
Terms:
- 35 hours per week
- Salary: £28,800 plus 6% employer pension contribution
- Travel expenses @ 45p per mile + £1300 annual essential car user allowance
- Full training provided
- 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays and your birthday!) increasing with length of service
- Responsible to the Operations Manager
Purpose of the Job:
We are looking for a flexible individual to complete varied housing management tasks on behalf of the Association. The role will involve a mix of work visiting tenants and properties as well as desk-based tasks. Some experience in a similar role is essential but training will be given.
The Housing Officer will manage a patch of tenancies, covering everything from signs ups to void management, including housing benefit claims, repairs reporting, rent accounting and ASB management. They will be supported by the Senior Housing Officer and managed by the Operations Manager. The Housing Officer will be expected to ensure effective working relationships with tenants, colleagues, external care and support agencies and local authorities, and to contribute to the maintenance and development of the Association’s values, culture and ethos.
Main Tasks
- To respond to customer enquiries promptly and in line with policies and guidance.
- To carry out property inspections on a minimum quarterly basis.
- To work with our partners to resolve housing issues on behalf of our customers, to deal with tenancy breaches and tackle ASB.
- To provide support and carry out project work relevant to housing management as requested by the Operations Manager.
- To sign up new tenants and provide appropriate advice and support.
- To process housing benefit applications on behalf of tenants and monitor the progress of applications.
- To monitor voids, rent accounts and tenant recharges on a regular basis.
- To work with the development team to ensure new scheme handovers go smoothly.
- To work with the repairs team to ensure jobs are reported effectively and households communicated with appropriately.
- To maintain tenant information and ensure that tenant needs and risks are flagged for the attention of the contractors developing or working at their properties.
- To record key communications with tenants, their representatives and support workers.
- To support tenant involvement and ensure that a high standard of customer service is delivered and high levels of customer satisfaction are maintained.
- To promote the aims, objectives and a positive image of the Association to all its customers including external agencies and stakeholders.
- To actively participate in own annual performance review, objective setting and fulfil own agreed personal development and training programme.
- Work flexibly and out of hours on occasion where necessary to attend meetings and ensure proactive management of tenancy and neighbourhood issues.
Person Specification
- Great people skills
- Able to communicate effectively at all levels both verbally and in writing
- Able to develop and maintain relationships with a range of internal and external partners
- Self-motivated, able to seize the initiative and make decisions
- Flexible approach to work
- Values-driven
- Commitment to customer service and involvement
- Good organisation and record keeping skills
- Full driving license and access to a vehicle
- Committed to equal opportunities
Successful candidates must be able to provide references and a clear enhanced DBS check
The position will be offered to the best candidate but we especially welcome applicants who identify as an ethnic minority, as having a disability and/or as female or minority gender.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements:
| Knowledge / Skills | Essential / Desirable |
| Experience of housing management (minimum 2 years) | E |
| Experience of supported housing | D |
| Experience working with people with a learning disability and/or autistic people | D |
| Experience of handling antisocial behaviour issues | D |
| Knowledge of housing benefit | D |
| Experience using Active H software | D |
| A housing-related qualification | D |
| IT literate | E |
| Good written and verbal communication skills | E |
| Good numeracy skills, able to interpret rent accounts and invoices | E |
| Good organisational skills | E |
| Committed to equal opportunities | E |
| Experience of providing excellent customer service | E |
To apply please ensure you read the role profile and person specification above, then submit a CV and a covering letter to enquiries@careha.org.uk detailing how you and your experience meet our requirements.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 5th December