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- Tasks: Support housing applicants and manage allocations with a focus on fairness and transparency.
- Company: Join a dedicated Council team committed to community support and housing solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous leave, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them find their homes.
- Qualifications: Strong ICT skills and the ability to manage workloads effectively.
- Other info: Flexible work-life balance and a supportive environment for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
These roles will play a key role in the effective operation of the Council's housing register and allocations process. You will provide professional, customer‑focused support to applicants, partner organisations and internal teams, ensuring that Council and Registered Provider (RSL) properties are allocated fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the Council's Lettings Policy, housing legislation and best practice. These are varied and demanding roles that require strong judgement, attention to detail and the ability to deal sensitively with people seeking housing advice.
Responsibilities
- Respond to a wide range of enquiries from housing applicants and partner organisations by telephone, email and in person, providing clear, accurate and realistic housing advice.
- Process, assess and review housing register applications through Kent Homechoice, including investigation of medical, financial and personal circumstances and allocation of banding priority.
- Make decisions on banding changes, downgraded priority and ineligibility in line with legislation and Council policy.
- Advertise and allocate Council and RSL properties through the Choice Based Lettings scheme.
- Prepare offer letters and tenancy sign‑up documentation, including homeless direct offers.
- Carry out assessments of medical priority and undertake unannounced verification visits where required.
- Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records on housing IT systems, ensuring all communications are recorded appropriately.
- Assist with mutual exchange applications via Homeswapper and ExchangeLocata.
- Monitor void turnaround times, Move On nominations, management moves, and policy quota allocations.
Qualifications
- Ability to manage a high workload, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.
- Strong ICT skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Good interviewing, assessment and decision‑making skills.
- Ability to work confidently both as part of a team and on your own initiative.
Benefits
- Hybrid Working – flexible ways of working in home and office to support work‑life balance.
- Competitive remuneration package: excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.
Equal Opportunity
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.
Allocation Officer in Ashford employer: Ashford Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Ashford Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Allocation Officer in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to housing allocations and customer service. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of how you've handled complex situations or provided excellent customer service in the past. This will help you stand out as someone who can manage the demands of the Allocation Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Allocation Officer in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Allocation Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Customer Focus: Since this role involves providing support to applicants and partner organisations, share examples of how you've delivered excellent customer service in the past. We want to see your ability to handle enquiries sensitively and effectively.
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is crucial for this position. When filling out your application, double-check for any errors or omissions. This shows us that you can maintain accurate records and follow processes meticulously.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and allows us to keep track of all submissions efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashford Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the Council's Lettings Policy and housing legislation. Brush up on the key points so you can confidently discuss how you would handle various scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves dealing with applicants and partner organisations, be ready to demonstrate your strong judgement and sensitivity. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated difficult conversations or provided excellent customer service in the past.
✨Be Detail-Oriented
Attention to detail is crucial for this position. During the interview, highlight your experience with processing applications and maintaining accurate records. You might even want to mention specific tools or systems you’ve used to keep track of important information.
✨Demonstrate Your Decision-Making Skills
Prepare to discuss how you approach decision-making, especially in high-pressure situations. Think of examples where you had to assess complex information and make a fair decision, as this will show your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.