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

Job summary

Description of duties

• To 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.
• To 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.
• To 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.
• To 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.
• To develop and maintain open, honest and constructive relationships and be supportive to colleagues.
• To play an active role in driving forward improvements in customer service delivery including assisting in providing information in relations to complaints, MP enquiries, FOI and SAR requests.
• To review and sign off officers' decisions under the Homelessness Reduction Act and Housing Act 1996.
• To assist the Housing Solutions Team Manager and other Team Leaders in managing the use of temporary accommodation, with the aim of keeping occupation and expenditure to a minimum.
• To contribute to and assist in the delivery of the Housing Strategy and to assist in the development and implementation of the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, carrying out of investigations or making of recommendations in conjunction with the Team Manager and service management team for Cabinet, Scrutiny, senior managers or external agencies ensuring appropriate liaison and consultation with interested parties.
• To undertake any other duties as requested by the Housing Manager, Housing Solutions Team Manager and the Housing Solutions Team Leaders, appropriate to the level and competence of the post.
• Ensure that a high level of customer service is maintained at all times.
• Ensure compliance to all policies, procedures, standard operating practices, with recommendations for action and continuous improvement.

Primary Line/Performance Management Objectives of the Role

• To ensure the team's officers carry out investigations and make decisions in a timely and accurate way.
• Ensure the proper assessment and issuing of decisions for applications for assistance with homelessness in accordance with relevant legislation, the Homelessness Code of Guidance and relevant case law.

Primary Leadership Objectives of the Role

To support the Housing Solutions Officers to deliver relevant statutory obligations.

Responsibilities for:

People - The post holder is responsible for developing a culture within the Housing Solutions Team and wider Housing Service which is linked to the behaviours and values of the Council. In addition, the post holder will be expected to look at improved ways and processes to benefit customers of the service and the wider organisation.

Finance - No direct budgetary responsibility but responsibility for ensuring that temporary accommodation costs are minimised.

Decision Making - Ensuring that the assessment and processing of all homelessness applications are done in line with legislation and the Code of Guidance. 

Communications - Liaising with internal staff members of staff and portfolio holders. Direct communication and contact with external partners including but not exclusive to Breckland residents, tenants and landlords, organisations/representatives, Government and non-governmental organisations. Take a personal responsibility to build and maintain relationships with key partners, including private landlords, housing associations, statutory bodies, and third and voluntary sector organisations and the general public.
 

This job description is not exhaustive.

The job description outlines the current position and will be subject to review in the light of development within the service, in consultation with the post holder as detailed in your Contract of Employment.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

A detailed understanding of current housing, housing allocations and homelessness law, policy and practice.

Experience of applying the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 with the ability to prove a history of timely and accurate decision making.

A working knowledge of:

• Landlord and tenant law
• The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
• Public Health Act 1936
• Welfare rights
• Debt counselling

Proven experience of the motivation, development and management of individuals and teams

Proven experience of developing services across partnerships

Demonstrable experience of the effective handling of queries from members of the public and their representatives.

A detailed understanding of the wider Housing context

Familiarity with the concepts and practice of partnership working

Desirable

• Strategic thinking and forward planning skills
• Budget management skills
• Mediation skills
• Debt counselling skills
• Political awareness skills

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level standard or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable significant and relevant experience of working in housing advice, homelessness, housing support, social welfare or debt advice environment

Desirable

• HNC in Housing Studies
• Relevant management qualification
• Member/Practitioner of the Chartered Institute of Housing

Strengths

Essential

• Supervisory, leadership and performance management skills, including the ability to motivate individuals and individuals and teams to perform their best and grow.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to innovate and communicate new ideas effectively.
• Excellent organisational, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build and support partnership working and collaborate with others
• Self-motivated and with an ability to deliver on new initiatives and projects.

Desirable

• Strategic thinking and an ability to turn ideas into policies and strategies.
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent ICT skills
• Ability to give and receive feedback constructively

Essential Behaviours

Collaborative:

• 'I look for ways to work in partnership with colleagues across services, Members and external partners #oneteam'
• '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 celebrate success with my colleagues'

Ambitious:

• 'I am a proud ambassador for the Council, taking pride and responsibility for the work we do and encouraging others to do the same'
• '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 work hard to build relationships inside and outside my own area of work'

Results Driven:

• '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 understand our council priorities and how I make a difference.'
• 'I keep to my promises and challenge myself and others to deliver high-quality services'
• 'I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions'

Empowering:

• 'I show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo'
• 'I embrace new technology and look for new ways for our services to become digital not forgetting to be accessible for all'
• 'I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development'
• 'I look for and act on opportunities where we can generate an income or drive down costs'
• 'I appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour'
• 'I ask for help and support when needed'

Supportive:

• '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.'
• 'I treat others as I would want to be treated myself ensuring I am welcoming, friendly and approachable'
• 'I care for my colleagues, taking an interest in them, showing support for their personal identities and what's important to them'
• 'I trust colleagues to do their job knowing this may not always be visible in a traditional 9-5 work pattern'
• 'I give time to colleagues who need help or support, even when the pressure is on'

Mental Demands

The post holder will have strong commitment to and understanding of the 'homelessness prevention' agenda. Strong commitment to the provision of excellent customer service, prepared to take initiative, identify opportunities and take an outcome-orientated approach to addressing challenges. Prepared to take decisions in a busy environment and be prepared to work in a way which supports and manages the performance of the wider team. Committed to equal opportunities and service delivery

Physical Demands

• Able and willing to meet the demands of the post e.g. dealing with aggrieved and agitated people.
• Possession of a driving licence and permitted to drive in the UK.
• The post holder will recognise and be able to adapt to a fast-paced reactive service where they will be required to reprioritise their workload dependant on the demand into the service.
• The demands on the service are great and is likely to expose the post holder to significant stress while they are required to maintain a calm approach and provide support to staff who may also be impacted by service demands i.e. staying late, dealing with complex, highly charged and often emotional situations. 
• The post holder will be required to use a range of IT systems, wide use of PC screens and typing for prolonged periods of time.

Health & Safety (exposure to risk)

• The post holder may be required to work as a lone worker, driving across the district and outside the district.
• The post holder will be required to enter the homes of Breckland customers for site visits from time to time.
• The post holder may need to deal with challenging, aggrieved and agitated people from time to time
• Exposure to some personal and sensitive data and records which could affect mental well being.

What's it like to work for us?

We are passionate about our people and pride ourselves on being a great place to work, we genuinely care and know that a happy workforce is a productive and motivated one! If you're still not sure, here are some stats from our 2024 staff survey to convince you..

• 94% said they feel trusted and empowered
• 90% of staff recommend Breckland as a great place to work
• 89% said they have had opportunities to learn and grow in the last 12 months
• 94% think Breckland provide positive action on health and wellbeing
• 91% said they felt supported by their manager

If you STILL need convincing, here's what some of our staff say...

• "Breckland is a fantastic employer, lots of opportunities and support"
• "Having only just started, it is a great place to work, everyone says hello, is smiley and chatty. I like the groups that are on, like carers shed and neurodiversity"
• "We are encouraged to take regular breaks and there are mental health first aiders and a wide range of good promotional aspects of healthy living and wellbeing."
• "In times of need the council offers excellent support."
• "BDC really does seem to care about the wellbeing and happiness of their staff."

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, and ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care, we listen, and we support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and we are innovative in our approach, coming up with ways to meet the needs of the local communities that we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can't do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and we work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area, and by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places where people and businesses choose to be, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here and those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

We offer excellent conditions of service, including:

• A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
• Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing after three years' continuous Local Authority service by one day per year up to the maximum of 28 days, plus bank holidays)
• Free car parking.
• Remote-enabled working arrangements.
• A newly refurbished office. See what it is like working here by watching this short film: 
  

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

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.

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Jane Booth, Housing Solutions Team Manager, by emailing jane.booth@breckland.gov.uk

Closing date - 9am, Monday 28^th April
Interview dates-  20^th and 21^st May 2025

APPLY ONLINE

Please be aware that if you are selected for this role there will be a requirement to undertake a DBS check as part of pre-employment checks.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies. These are listed as essential requirements on the person specification.