Senior Technical Officer (Housing) x2 Ref: 06-25

Salary: Grade 7, starting at £36,841 per annum (pay award pending)
Hours: Full time, 37 per week
Basis: Permanent
Place of Work: Dereham, occasionally Thetford and some travel across the district or further afield

After a review of the Housing and Communities service we are excited to be expanding our service and we have a number of rewarding positions available.   Some of these are technical and specialist positions, ideal for individuals with knowledge and experience in housing legislation and some are more public-facing roles, which are perfect for those who excel at connecting with people, fostering relationships, and creating a welcoming environment.

We are recruiting to two new Senior Technical Officer roles, one of whom will focus on Homelessness Prevention and one of whom will focus on Homelessness Relief and Main Duty, but the expectation is that they will be capable of both.

For this role, would you like a job where what you do:

• Enhances the housing solutions and homelessness service to customers by using your expert housing legislation knowledge and experience to guide and assist Housing Solutions Officers in making their enquiries and their legal decisions?
• Enables you to retain some case work responsibility for complex and challenging cases?
• Links across the housing service to help assist and advise those who need it most, often facing challenging circumstances?

About you:

Your qualities and behaviours are as important to us as your work experience.  Is this you?

• 'I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input'
• 'I listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge'
• 'I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things'
• 'My approach to work is filled with positivity and optimism'
• 'I am flexible ensuring I provide the best possible service, wherever and whenever is best for the customer'
• 'I am driven to achieve results and show courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan'
• 'I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development'
• 'I treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, valuing their thoughts, background and experience'
• 'I understand and take care of my own well-being and of that of those around me.'

OK, I'm interested... But is it really the job for me?

As a Senior Technical Officer (Housing) you will:

• Support the Housing Solutions Team Manager and the Team Leaders in providing an effective Housing Solutions Service, ensuring fulfilment of legal duties.
• Provide support to Housing Solutions Officers with complex cases to ensure adherence to legislation and the Code of Practice and to facilitate officer self-learning.
• Be the first point of contact for Housing Solutions Officers for case and legislation related queries
• Provide technical housing and benefit advice, expertise and training to internal and external staff, stakeholders and members.
• Assist in the interpretation and implementation of new Housing legislation and regulations, providing associated guidance and training.
• Hold a small caseload of cases when needed, in order to support the team.
• Carry out quality assurance monitoring of officer work ensuring officer decisions throughout the team are correct and IT system are accurately recording data in line with best practice. To then utilise this information update individual and Service training plans.
• Work collaboratively with the Housing Solutions Officers in relation to clients being referred to ensure that duties owed by the Council to clients are discharged in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Review and sign off officers' decisions under the Homelessness Reduction Act and Housing Act 1996.

Please see the job description and person specification for more a comprehensive list of duties that the role normally entails as you could be asked to occasionally pick up other responsibilities, and also for the personal qualities needed.

Please be aware that applicants who do not submit a supporting statement showing how they meet the person specification will not be considered for interview.

Closing date - 9am, Monday 28^th April