Lettings Officer

Salary and grade: Grade 6, £37,891 - £43,191

Duration of role: 12-month fixed term contract with option to extend

Hours per week: 37 - some evening and weekend work may be occasionally required

Location: Hybrid - home, Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JE as required.

Closing Date: 17th January 2023

The aim of the Housing Needs team is to ensure that people in housing need have access to the housing and support necessary to meet their needs. The Lettings Officer Temporary Accommodation will play an active role in meeting these aims, and in the provision of an efficient and effective housing service.

This role will support the Housing Support Supervisor, and Ukraine support team to provide support to Ukraine nationals in temporary accommodation.

Main duties and responsibilities:

- to arrange emergency hotel placements for homeless households
- to provide support for households in temporary accommodation, including helping with benefit claims, addressing welfare needs and signposting to other support services.
- to support homeless households to move from temporary to suitable long-term accommodation.
- to provide a tenancy management service for council-owned temporary accommodation.
- carry out management, health and safety, approved codes of practice and industry best practice.
- liaise with agencies to ensure support packages are in place for our customers
- to maintain accurate computer records for all housing applicants and offers of accommodation.

The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility, and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.

Your essential skills, knowledge and experience
- ability to use IT systems
- understanding of confidentiality
- ability to devise appropriate outcomes for customers and work on own initiative
- experience of undertaking interviews and investigations
- excellent oral and written communication skills
- ability to take part in our out of hours service
- experience of dealing with vulnerable people and people who are distressed
- excellent record keeping skills
- dynamism and drive, be a proven self-starter, enthusiastic, proactive and determined
- outgoing, able to liaise effectively with people at all levels including senior level in organisations
- full and current driving licence and use of car for business

If you have the following experience - it’s a bonus
- a good knowledge of housing legislation and tenancy law.
- a good knowledge of health and safety regulations relevant to letting, maintenance and managing accommodation
- professional housing qualification
- familiarity with the district
- knowledge of Abritas, the housing database
- local government experience
- ability to speak Ukraine/Russian
- experience of working in a local government environment

Your essential qualifications
- 5 GCSE’s at grades A - C, including English and Mathematics, or an equivalent level of qualification
- full driving licence and use of a car insured for business use

Your style and behaviours
- leading by example with enthusiasm and a positive attitude
- commitment to excellent customer care
- ability to cope with a high volume of work and stressful situations
- ability to demonstrate a caring and empathetic attitude while maintaining professional detachment
- positive attitude to professional and personal development
- ability to work flexibly and respond quickly when priorities change
- empathy, diplomacy and tactfulness, particularly when dealing with difficult situations or distressed customers

About us

Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.

Our vision

We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high-quality cost-effective services.

Our values
- We act with integrity and show respect
- We are all accountable
- We are passionate about our business
- We strive for simplicity
- We love success

The benefits we offer
- A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years.
- Flexible working and annualised hours - a flexible approach to work that our employees love
- Salary pay awards
- Payment of annual professional membership
- A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary
- The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme
- A salary sacrifice car lease scheme - a fully inclusive driving package for a fixed monthly cost
- Various schemes to keep you healthy
- We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.