INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates

Job title: Neighbourhood Service Officer (Income Management)

Salary: SO2 £37,280 - £39,152

Hours: 37 Hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House

As a Neighbourhood Service Officer, you’ll thrive to deliver an effective and efficient customer focussed Housing Management Service, ensuring maximum performance in accordance with the targets, standards and policies of Housing Leeds. The Neighbourhood Service Officer is a key role, responsible for managing a team who are delivering Income Management functions, including Credits and Debits, rent setting and service charges.

The post plays a significant role in ensuring compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing's Rent Standard, and other financial legislation and regulatory requirements. Accurate rent setting, rent convergence and robust income management are essential to protecting rental income, maintaining tenant confidence, supporting investment in council homes and mitigating the risk of regulatory non-compliance.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Neighbourhood Service Officer, you will bring to the role:

Knowledge of social housing rents, rent setting, service charges and the regulatory framework governing social housing.
A strong understanding of the Rent Standard and the importance of ensuring rents and service charges are set accurately and consistently in line with regulatory requirements.
Recent experience of managing teams in a housing related environment, including motivating staff, managing performance and supporting staff development.
The ability to develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders including external and internal partners and tenants.
A Proven track record of managing resources within defined budgets, budget preparation and financial management in accordance with Financial Regulations
Experience of identifying and mitigating operational, financial and compliance risks.
The ability to analyse complex information and develop innovative, strategic solutions to a range of challenges.
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities whilst ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.

About the role

As our Neighbourhood Service Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the Housing Manager Rents to maximise income collection and ensure the effective delivery of rent-related services across Housing Leeds. You will have a proven track record in income management and leading high-performing teams that contribute to financial sustainability and service excellence.

You will lead on a range of income management functions, ensuring they are delivered accurately and efficiently. A key aspect of the role will be providing assurance that rent setting processes comply with the Regulator of Social Housing's Rent Standard, recognising the significant financial and reputational risks associated with non-compliance.

As our next Neighbourhood Service Officer, you will be integral to the Income Management Team, working collaboratively with Housing and Finance Teams on a variety of income related projects. You will contribute to the development and implementation of policies, procedures and controls that support regulatory compliance, strengthen governance arrangements and protect the Council's housing revenue account.

You will be able to prioritise workloads effectively and remain flexible within a fast-paced and changing environment, responding to urgent requests and shifting priorities as required.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Paul Harris, Income Service Manager, Call 0113 3782010 or email paul.2.harris@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To deliver an efficient, customer focused service which maximises performance levels and achieves continuous improvements in all areas of housing management services.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

To deliver a housing management service within the Neighbourhood Services areas of Income Management, Tenant and Community Involvement, Lettings and Tenancy Management Policy and Older Persons Housing.
To actively contribute towards the development, review and improvement of policies and strategies in line with current legislation and best practice.
To deliver training and support to officers within area housing teams relating to the implementation of policies and procedures and work with officers to improve service delivery of a Neighbourhood Service area.
To work with tenants and communities to ensure that policies and procedures and the Housing Leeds service meets the needs of tenants and communities.
To review the performance / outcomes of a Neighbourhood Service area and use the results to influence policy development or work with area housing teams to improve practice.
To work in partnership with other teams and departments to ensure joined up services to tenants and other service users.
To develop positive working relationships with key stakeholders including: tenants, applicants and other partner organisations.
To take a people-orientated solutions-focussed approach to dealing with customers, quickly and professionally.
To manage a budget where applicable and ensure value for money in all aspects of service delivery, and policy and procedure development.
To contribute to the delivery of service improvement plans.
To work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services and achievement of performance targets.
To contribute to the improvement of local service delivery in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders and partners.
To be personally effective, demonstrating commitment and time management.
Contribute to culture change to deliver focussed and continuously improving services.
To support the achievement of equality and diversity in both employment and service delivery including the promotion of equality of opportunity.
To ensure that the Council’s health and safety policies and procedures are adhered to.
To work outside normal working hours, where required.

Leadership Responsibilities:

To demonstrate and embed the Council’s values and manager habits to lead, support and drive cultural change
To lead, manage, motivate, mentor and develop teams in accordance with council polices ensuring that they policies are understood and followed
To ensure that the team work professionally, competently and in a forward thinking and customer focused way whilst embracing collaborative partnership working to achieve excellence.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Personal Specification

Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills required

Able to communicate with and influence customers and other stakeholder.
Able to lead, motivate and empower staff to achieve positive outcomes.
Ability to identify operational problems, and develop innovative solutions across a full range of housing services.
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including members, external and internal partners and residents.
Ability to analyse and interpret complex information.
Ability to write concise reports, deliver presentations and chair meetings.
Competent in the use of IT systems including Microsoft applications.
Able to manage conflicting priorities and adapt to changing circumstances.
Ability to manage and delegate resources effectively.
Able to work with trade unions and consult as necessary.
Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.

Knowledge required

A degree level qualification or equivalent relevant experience of managing in a housing context
Knowledge of the functions of a comprehensive housing management service.
Knowledge of Landlord’s statutory responsibilities.
Up to date knowledge of social housing and issues affecting the sector.
Up to date knowledge of housing legislation and policies.
An awareness of key stakeholders, partners and third sector organisations.

Experience required

Contributing to projects and initiatives.
Managing resources within defined budgets.
Working with residents and members to achieve defined outcomes.
Developing service objectives and operational delivery plans.
Recognising and dealing effectively with inappropriate behaviour.

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Knowledge required

Membership of a relevant professional body

Experience required

Recent experience of managing teams in a housing related context including motivation and staff development
Working with and consulting with trade unions.
Working within a political environment.

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