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- Tasks: Provide expert housing advice and support to diverse clients in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Buckinghamshire Council, a dynamic organisation focused on positive community change.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, health initiatives, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a customer-focused mindset are essential.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 13000 - 16000 £ per year.
We have an excellent opportunity for a Part Time Choice Based Lettings Officer to join our fast-paced Housing Service. This is a key role within the team delivering expert housing options advice. Please note, this is a secondment/fixed-term contract opportunity for 12 months. It is offered on a part-time basis working 17 hours per week. The salary advertised will be pro-rata for the part time hours worked.
About us
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
About the role
Your role will be to provide advice and support to a diverse client group including vulnerable and disadvantaged households in relation to the council’s housing register, Bucks Home Choice. Responsibilities include assessment of social housing applications, shortlisting and lettings of social housing under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 within the framework of the Councils statutory Allocations Policy, signposting and referral to our homelessness prevention and advice service, offering housing options advice and assisting senior officers with informal and statutory reviews, complaints, member enquiries and FOI requests.
Key Accountabilities
- To deliver expert professional advice in line with our allocations policy.
- To assess applications for housing, monitor and upkeep of the housing register and to effectively and swiftly provide nominations of residents to registered providers, including direct lets where necessary, in line with the policy, ensuring the best use of stock.
- To provide a housing options advice service to all those seeking accommodation, giving relevant, appropriate and accurate housing advice on all housing options available including Choice Based Lettings, low-cost home ownership, mutual exchanges, under occupation, transfers, and intermediate/affordable rent.
- To undertake assessments of social housing applications, determine eligibility as defined by current legislation under the Housing Act Part VI and associated statutory guidance and to determine the qualification and shortlisting of applicants, which includes; the interpretation and application of the Council’s housing allocations policy correctly and accurately for each application based on the household’s circumstances.
About you
You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment and be able to manage working to tight deadlines. If you’re good at using your initiative, thinking on your feet, customer focused and ambitious, we want to hear from you! With a number of different tasks coming into the team on any given day, you’ll need to be able to prioritise work quickly, have good time management skills and have excellent communication and written skills. You will need to be an excellent problem solver and highly adaptable. You will be able to build relationships quickly and provide an empathetic and non-judgmental service to customers. You will need excellent ICT skills and a broad knowledge and understanding of the service area including, legislation, regulations, systems, welfare benefits and policies would be desirable.
Other information
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
- All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
- All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.
Our values and culture
We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy. By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:
- a fair and inclusive culture
- the chance to really make a difference to those around you
- health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
- a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
- ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
- opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events
At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation. From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments. We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.
About the Business Unit
Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property. Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.
It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.
We recognise and reward you
Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.
Choice Based Lettings Officer in High Wycombe employer: Buckinghamshire Council
Contact Detail:
Buckinghamshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Choice Based Lettings Officer in High Wycombe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing sector, especially those who work at Buckinghamshire Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of housing policies and the specific challenges faced by vulnerable households. Show us you’re not just passionate but also informed!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Choice Based Lettings Officer, you'll need to convey complex information clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Buckinghamshire Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Choice Based Lettings Officer in High Wycombe
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 a Choice Based Lettings Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key in this role, ensure your written application reflects your ability to convey information clearly and effectively. A well-structured application can demonstrate your written skills right from the start!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for helping others and any relevant experiences that showcase your empathy and problem-solving abilities.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy once we have enough applications, so get yours in early through our website to ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buckinghamshire Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Housing Act 1996 and the council’s allocations policy. Understanding these will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're serious about the role.
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Choice Based Lettings Officer, you'll be dealing with vulnerable households. Prepare examples of how you've provided empathetic support in past roles. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with clients and handle sensitive situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific instances where you've tackled challenges or resolved conflicts. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised tasks and managed tight deadlines, as this role requires quick thinking and adaptability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the council's future plans, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
