Estates Assistant

EVH Grade 5 £29,086 - £32,324 (Pro-Rata)

West Highland Housing Association is a charitable organisation working in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area. We have a growing number of properties in management and now have an opportunity for someone to join our friendly and enthusiastic team.

Our Estates Assistant will ensure that we provide and maintain high quality developments that create a safe environment and sense of belonging for our tenants and customers through pro-active management of open spaces and communal areas. The post requires a strong commitment to the delivery of customer focused services and effective engagement with tenants, factored owners and contractors.

You’ll be part of a staff team of 32 so you’ll be able to build close working relationships and learn about the varied work being done in each team. The post requires you to work collaboratively and be supportive of colleagues across the organisation. You should embrace all aspects of digital working.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**ESTATE MANAGEMENT**
- Support the Asset and Housing teams through the provision of high-quality accurate information about our developments and landscaping requirements, at all times representing the customer's best interest.
- Undertake a proactive programme of Estate Inspections to identify and address issues such as common parking, abandoned cars, issues with external property elements such as roof tiles, safety hazards, fencing, common lighting, signage, vandalism, damage, fly tipping and other estate management tasks.
- Identifying and raising with tenants garden maintenance issues and working with Housing Management team to get these successfully resolved.
- Liaison with colleagues to develop, deliver and review any estate action plans including contributing to any customer engagement.
- Deliver permission and alteration function for external areas within a tenancy such as garden sheds.

**GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND WINTER MAINTENANCE**
- Proactively inspect contractors work to ensure work is undertaken to specification and meets contract requirements.
- Inspection of landbank and open spaces to protect the Association’s assets by ensuring they remain tidy and well maintained.
- Winter planning and inspection including footpaths, grit bins, drainage.

**PLAY AREAS**
- Proactively inspect the Play Areas (or arrange with colleagues travelling to island locations) ensuring all records are maintained.
- The Estates Assistant will ensure play parks remain a safe environment for all users. This will involve instructing of any remedial works and inspection upon completion.
- Work collaboratively with housing colleagues to develop, deliver and review the play park strategy including contributing to any customer engagement in this area.

**CLOSE MANAGEMENT**
- Undertake and record regular safety inspection of our common closes including the instruction of any remedial works.
- Work closely with tenants, owners and other WHHA staff to achieve positive outcomes in relation to customer safety.

**ONSITE SUPPORT**
- Support the Asset Officer by undertaking a range of site inspections, contributing to ensure Quality Assurance and specification compliance in projects relating to Estate Management.
- This will involve preparing and maintaining appropriate site records, addressing site issues and escalating concerns to the Asset Officer.

**PROJECT WORK**
- In consultation with colleagues identify, prioritise and deliver small value environmental projects; linking to our wider tenant engagement.
- Identify work that is non-routine ground maintenance work e.g., encroaching scrub land and larger trees.
- Contribute to customer communications including social media content such as inspection plans or photos relating to Estate Management conveying positive information.

**DATA MANAGEMENT AND ESTATES INFORMATION**
- Actively collate business and performance information, input and report on information in SDM and other asset management databases. The broad areas include property, estate and close information.
- The postholder will observe GDPR requirements and ensure compliance.

**FINANCIAL**
- At all times ensure value for money for customers and the Association.
- Work within the authorisation limits as detailed in financial policy

**FACTORING AND LEGAL**
- Some matters may require reference to title plans and title deeds.
- Duties do not include interpretations about WHHA’s legal position or legal opinions. Any matters requiring legal interpretation should be passed to the post holder’s Line Manager for consideration.

Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by management.

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: £29,086.00-£32,324.00 per year

Expected hours: 18 per week

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay

Schedule:

- No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Oba