Estate Services Quality Assurance Officer in London

About the job

Key responsibilities:

• Undertaking a programme of regular estate inspections and audits related to caretaking and estate facilities and ensuring that estate cleaning and maintenance techniques are performed in accordance with best practice and procedure.
• At the direction of the Estate Services Area Manager, inspect and monitor the estate services within the management area including caretaking, estate lighting, horticulture, communal repairs, waste collections, play areas, sports pitches, and garages, ensuring the services provided meet the highest possible standards of safety, security, cleanliness, and overall appearance.
• Maintain accurate records of all inspections completed.
• Ensure health and safety related tasks, including fire safety inspections and fire risk assessments actions are conducted and completed within target times and associated records are updated on management systems.
• Carry out programmed and ad hoc inspections relating to communal facilities and issues on housing estates including community centres, estate noticeboards, premises information boxes, abandoned vehicles, trees, communal utility meters etc. Take follow-up action as required.
• Provide advice and guidance to caretakers, including assistance with induction and training of caretakers to ensure that cleaning techniques are always consistent with best practice and Health and Safety requirements.
• Assist in the testing and training of new cleaning equipment.
• Inspect and raise communal repairs; conduct post inspections.
• Assist in the management of communal keys.
• Provide information for managers to answer correspondence from residents and their representatives, councillors, MPs etc. on matters associated with estate services, within target timescales.
• Liaise with housing staff and contractors who provide other estate services, e.g. special cleaning, grounds maintenance, repairs, maintenance and tenancy management to ensure services are efficiently provided.
• Undertake inspections and audits of garages, storage sheds and communal facilities as requested.
• Undertake a range of regular inspections and audits of caretaker facilities as directed e.g. repairs, stores areas, ladders, cleaning equipment and general Health and Safety compliance.
• Ensure that standards are consistently met through monitoring adherence to regulatory requirements and Islington's quality assurance specifications.
• Undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.

Additional:

• Have awareness and comply with safeguarding requirements, including the reporting of any concerns about someone who is vulnerable.
• Use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner.
• Achieve agreed service outcomes and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the line manager.
• Undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars, and other events designed to improve communication, personal development, and services.
• Carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the council's commitment to customer service excellence and ensure compliance with the customer care standards.
• Be committed to the Council's core values of public service, quality, equality, and empowerment and demonstrate this commitment in the way duties are carried out.
• Ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard to and compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations and other legislation.
• Carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council's Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.
• Work as a team with other colleagues to provide cover during absences, as directed by management.
• Ensure a prompt, courteous and helpful response is given when dealing with residents, their representatives or outside agencies seeking assistance or when initiating contact.
• Perform any other reasonable, minor, and non-re-occurring duties, appropriate to the post.
• At all times carry out responsibilities/duties within the framework of Dignity for all Islington Council's Equality Policy.
• Ability to undertake the duties of the post with minimal supervision.

Budget responsibilities:

• Monitor the service budgets including staffing and materials, in accordance with Policy, Finance Regulations and Standing Orders.
• Lead or support procurement processes for services and materials within the scope of the post.

Leadership:

• As a member of the council, contribute proactively to the collective leadership for the council, working collaboratively with Members, services across the council, partners and stakeholders to deliver the council's objectives and priorities.
• Drive positive cultural change, embodying and promoting the values and behaviours of the council and empowering staff to reach their full potential. Ensure that the performance and development framework is effective for all staff.
• Lead on and ensure the effective implementation of corporate initiatives and transformation programmes that cut across the whole or part of the council's activities.

Resources and Financial Management:

• Ensure effective Financial Management, cost controls and income maximisation in an ever-changing environment, fluctuating demands and priorities. Ensure resources are well managed and effectively deployed to the best possible effects assuring value for money in all activities.

Compliance:

• Ensure legal, regulatory and policy compliance under GDPR, Health and Safety and in area of your specialism identifying opportunities and risks and escalating where appropriate.

Work style:

• Experience of providing advice and practical assistance to the public, preferably in the social housing field.
• Experience of working in and delivering services to a multi-cultural community.
• Experience of maintaining positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to cope with the physical demands of the job including climbing stairs, covering long distances to carry out inspections across all parts of Islington Council estates.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation, in particular Health and Safety (including fire safety) and issues relating to caretaking and estate services.
• Ability to identify and raise repairs orders.
• Ability to monitor and assess standards of caretaking and estate services.