Trainee Housing Options Officer

Start your career in Housing and make a real difference to residents in need.

We are looking for a customer‑focused individual to join our Housing Options team as a Housing Options Trainee. This is an ideal entry role for someone who is passionate about helping people, keen to learn, and looking to build a career in Housing.

You will provide administrative, telephone and front-line support to our Housing Options Officers and play a key role in ensuring residents receive clear, timely and high‑quality advice.

You will act as the first point of contact for customers, responding to a wide range of housing enquiries. Resolving as many queries as possible using available information systems and your developing knowledge of housing policy, along with:

Supporting Housing Options Officers with administrative tasks and casework.
Assisting in delivering a customer‑focused service, helping to influence efficient and positive outcomes.
Working as part of a busy team, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.

It is essential that you have previous experience in an administrative role involving contact with the public along with having:

Excellent customer service skills and a commitment to high‑quality service delivery.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload in a sometimes pressured environment.
Confidence to take ownership of actions and respond appropriately to situations.

In addition it is essential that you are committed to personal development as you will study for the Level 3 Housing & Property Management Apprenticeship where full support will be provided to help you succeed in your training and development.  Learn more about the qualification Housing and property management / Skills England

Click to view a Job Description

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Eve Stanley, Senior Housing Options Officer  on 01233 330506

When Applying - Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email recruitment@ashford.gov.uk

 Hybrid Working – While we fully support hybrid working and recognise the importance of balancing work and home life, this is a customer facing role that requires a strong on site presence. The team works on a rota system to ensure we maintain consistent service levels and have sufficient office cover at all times. Our approach to hybrid working is designed to promote wellbeing, personal development, and effective collaboration, both in the office and at home.

Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

With devolution news and talks evolving across the country for local authorities, we understand that there may be some uncertainty for those currently serving within the sector. Although Kent and Medway have not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme, discussions continue in this area.  Kent, Medway and all District and Borough Councils in the South East will continue to work closely with each other to deliver vital services to our communities.  This is an exciting, but stable time to join our organisation.

 Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide

We welcome applications form the Armed Forces Community