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- Tasks: Provide housing advice and support to vulnerable clients in need.
- Company: Join Darlington Borough Council, a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days annual leave, flexible working, and great wellbeing perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing law and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Part-time role with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 32000 £ per year.
Housing Options Officer (Ref: POS000729)
Salary 32,061- 34,434 (Pro rata – per annum) Salary Band £30,001 to £40,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Part time
Job and Application details
Categories: Housing
Directorate: N/A
Published Date: 10/09/2025
Closing Date: 28/09/2025
Responsibilities
Applications are invited to apply for a permanent part-time role of Housing Options Officer to work in a busy and often challenging area of housing. You will be required to work with complex and vulnerable clients by providing housing advice, support and assistance to those potentially homeless or in housing need. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, resilient and self motivated and will be able to provide high standard of housing advice and guidance to tenants and landlords to ensure tenancies are sustained, lives enhanced and communities settled.
Candidates will need to have effective organisation, communication and negotiation skills, work well within the team and as an individual and work positively with members of the public. Experience of Homelessness legislation, housing law and social housing is essential.
This post is 15 hours only working on a Thursday and Friday.
*This post requires an Enhanced DBS check.*
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile, Supporting Document and Known Risks form.
Contacts
For informal discussion, please contact:
Anna Ginsberg (Housing Options Team Leader) 01325 405723
Suzanne Jenkinson (Housing Options Team Leader) 01325 406947
Benefits
The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:
- 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
- Flexi-time scheme
- Flexible working
- Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
- Staff equality forums
- Green Car Leasing Scheme
- Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
- Physiotherapy service
- Confidential counselling service
- Great wellbeing offer
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
- Local and National retailer discounts
- Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
- Arriva Employee Travel Club
For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-1/why-work-for-us/
Find out further information about us and what it’s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/
General Information for Applicants
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
If you are experiencing problems applying for this vacancy via North East Jobs, please contact the HR Team on 01325 403217 or HR@darlington.gov.uk , who will be happy to assist.
You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
We are an equal opportunities\’ employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.
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Housing Options Officer employer: Darlington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Darlington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Options Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Darlington Borough Council. Understand their values and what they stand for in the community. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to housing options and homelessness legislation. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your experience clearly and confidently. Role-play with a friend or use our resources to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When discussing your motivation for applying, let your enthusiasm shine through. Talk about why you want to help vulnerable clients and how you can make a difference in their lives. This is your chance to connect emotionally with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Options Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Housing Options Officer role. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves working with vulnerable clients, it's crucial to demonstrate your effective communication abilities. Use examples from your past experiences to show us how you’ve successfully navigated challenging conversations.
Be Honest and Authentic: We value honesty in applications. Make sure everything you submit is true to your experience. If you’ve used AI tools, that’s fine, but ensure it reflects your own voice and insights.
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, we encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Know Your Housing Legislation
Make sure you brush up on homelessness legislation and housing law before your interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the complexities involved in providing housing advice.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Housing Options Officer, you'll be working with vulnerable clients. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse groups in the past. This could include resolving conflicts or providing support to those in need—demonstrating your empathy and negotiation skills is key!
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Enthusiasm
The role can be challenging, so it's important to convey your resilience and enthusiasm during the interview. Share stories that highlight your ability to stay motivated and positive, even in tough situations. This will help the interviewers see that you’re the right fit for their team.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, challenges they face, or the support available for professional development. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to contribute to their mission.