Job title: Housing Officer

Salary: C3 £32,061 - £33,699

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: 2 positions (permanent)

Location: Primarily based at Laurel House, Armley (may be required to work from other Extra Care locations).

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

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two C3 Housing Officer posts to become part of the team managing the council’s Extra Care schemes. You would primarily be based at the fabulous new Laurel House Extra Care Scheme, Armley and would be a part of the Older People’s Service, Housing Leeds. These positions will be based at Laurel House, Armley, however there may potentially be opportunities available at other locations under this recruitment exercise.

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

In the role of Housing Officer, you would be expected to undertake a range of housing support and tenancy management functions. This will include allocations and lettings which are through a Panel process and not choice based lettings. You’d also be involved, alongside the care provider, with co-ordinating activities to combat social isolation, and alongside the Team Leader, for facilities management including developing a close working relationship with the on-site Care provider, catering provider and cleaning services.

You should be able to communicate effectively and build excellent relationships with residents, colleagues, elected members and other partners. You will need to have some experience of working with others to achieve positive outcomes for customers. You should have good time management and organisational skills to help balance the requirements of the service with the expectations of residents.

About the role

Extra Care Housing is different from other older people’s housing – residents with a range of support needs can live in their own home, within a community setting whilst having access to 24-hour on-site care and support. Flexible support and care services allow residents to stay in their home as their care needs increase rather than moving to costly residential or nursing care.

Laurel House is currently under construction as a purpose-built Extra Care Scheme with 65 apartments available for rent. Laurel House is a leading development for the Council in terms of design and commitment to providing excellent quality accommodation for older people across a range of needs.

In addition to the self-contained apartments, there is a resident’s lounge, landscaped gardens, a cafe, activity rooms, and a hair and beauty salon. A 24/7 Care Provider will work in partnership with Housing Leeds at the scheme.

Handover of the scheme is expected in January 2027. It is anticipated residents will start to move in from early February. We would be looking for the Housing Officers to assist with the allocation and sign up of properties, setting up the office and communal areas and other tasks relating to the new building.

The Housing Team based at Laurel House will include a full time SO2 Team Leader, 2 full time C3 Housing Officers and one full time B3 Support Officer. The Team will be supported by the Service Manager and Housing Manager who also oversee Wharfedale View, Gascoigne House and Cardinal Court.

If you are interested in applying for this post, please contact Julie Connell, Housing Manager on 0113 535 0010 or 07891 274615. Email: julie.connell@leeds.gov.uk to request a Frequently Asked Questions document that provides more information about the new Laurel House scheme.

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

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

The application form includes 3 questions, please note the following guidance:

For each question we expect no more than 400 words.
Please review all the information provided to answer these questions, including reference to your knowledge, skills, and experience with relevant examples.

Read our guidancefor 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 Julie Connell, Housing Manager on 0113 535 0010 or 07891 274615. Email: julie.connell@leeds.gov.uk

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults.

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 provide quality housing management services to meet the needs of customers, making a positive contribution to the social and physical environment of the area managed.

Customer focused and motivated to give the best possible service in the communities we serve.

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

Responsibilities

To take ownership and responsibility for the social and physical environment of a defined geographical service area.
To ensure that the estate environment is maintained to a high standard.
To be responsible for the achievement of performance targets within a defined geographical area.
To be responsible for maximising various income streams to the authority and our tenants, including housing and other benefits.
To deal with issues of anti-social behaviour, nuisance and work with other agencies to help create safe and sustainable communities.
To enforce tenancy conditions where appropriate.
Supervise and manage staff as required
Provide appropriate advice and support to customers.
To ensure the Councils safeguarding procedures are followed where appropriate.
To actively develop and promote tenant engagement and involvement through a variety of different approaches.
To work with partner services, elected members and local communities to deliver and develop services and improvements in a defined area.
To work within Council policies and procedures including data protection and financial regulations.
To ensure the Council’s health and safety policies and legal requirements are adhered to.
To contribute to the development, review and improvement of policies and strategies in line with current legislation and best practice.
To support the achievement of equality and diversity in both employment and service delivery including the promotion of equality of opportunity
Promote and deliver the priorities, values and objectives of Leeds City Council at all times

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.

Essential Requirements: Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Knowledge of the role of the Council Housing Service and its responsibilities in managing homes and communities.
Knowledge of current housing issues, legislation, policies and local strategies and initiatives.
Awareness of customer engagement opportunities, enabling customers to help design and evaluate services.
A good understanding of equality issues in the day-to-day delivery of services.
Knowledge of the Council’s Allocations and Lettings procedures.
Knowledge of effective income management practices.
Knowledge of effective anti-social behaviour remedies and best practice.
Awareness of how social and environmental conditions affect quality of life.

Specific Skills and Competencies

To be able to communicate effectively with customers, colleagues, elected members and all other partners
Able to supervise and manage colleagues Able to use a wide range of communication tools appropriate to the customers preferred method.
Able to show empathy, act tactfully and sympathetically with customers over a range of issues
Able to manage competing demands and priorities to meet deadlines.
Able to make objective decisions in the interests of achieving local priorities.
Able to input, maintain and retrieve information accurately from a variety of sources.
Able to objectively investigate and clearly report (in writing or verbally) on a range of issues.
To work within budgets.
Able to adapt behaviours to achieve positive outcomes

Experience

Experience of working with other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for customers.
Experience of supervising colleagues
Experience of taking and responding to a broad range of customer enquiries.
Experience of playing a key role within a community.
Experience of the working with the public.
Experience of working to deadlines and adapting to competing priorities.
Experience of working in a busy customer focused team.
Experience of working with a range of computer software packages including Microsoft Office

Behavioural & 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 Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

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