At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Housing Options Team by providing frontline advice and guidance to those facing homelessness.
- Company: Join Gravesham Borough Council, dedicated to serving our community with top-notch services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, pension scheme, discounts, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English, plus experience with vulnerable households and conflict management.
- Other info: Flexible work culture with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is an exciting time to join Gravesham Borough Council. We are committed to ensuring our services are delivered to the highest possible standard and we put the customer at the forefront of everything we do. By working for us you will become part of the team and will play your part in serving our community.
We are currently recruiting for a Housing Options Triage Officer, to provide key support within the Housing Options Team to officers and deliver a frontline customer focus triage service for people seeking advice and guidance and accessing all services within housing options. This will include triaging homeless casework and providing homeless advice and guidance to households that are homeless or in threat of homelessness in accordance with the council's statutory duties.
The post holder will be solutions focussed, operating within agreed procedures, to support an effective and efficient process for collecting and recording data, and allocation of cases.
Qualifications & Experience- Demonstrable ability to analyse and interpret complex information and situations.
- Ability to develop solutions and plans for the medium term.
- Adopts an imaginative and innovative approach.
- Demonstrable ability to use well developed communication skills to present complex/sensitive information in an understandable way, to a range of audiences.
- Demonstrable ability to work independently within defined procedures, and work outside of procedures, making decisions without referring to a supervisor/line manager, where necessary.
- Demonstrable ability to carry out tasks which impact on the wellbeing of people, including assessing needs, implementing care/welfare, implementing regulations, providing guidance on internal procedures and interpreting policies and procedures to meet specific circumstances or problems.
- Knowledge of the local authority's role in homelessness and the allocation of social housing, including tenancy law, eligibility for housing assistance, homeless legislation, mutual exchange and different types of tenure.
- 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English, or equivalent qualifications.
- Experience of working directly with vulnerable households including young people.
- Experience of dealing with difficult customers and conflict management.
- Experience of working within a busy environment.
- Can work under pressure and to deadlines.
- Ability to act on own initiative and be proactive in improving procedures, processes and customer service.
- Must have adaptable and flexible attitude to work requirements.
- Commitment to equal opportunities.
- Membership to Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Access to over 1000+ instant discounts from favourite retailers, restaurants, food delivery services and attractions via our benefits portal VivUp.
- Career development, training opportunities and access to e-learning.
- Access to eye care vouchers and VDU Glasses.
- External Occupational Health service.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Access to an employee assistance programme 24/7.
- Hybrid Working (minimum two days in the office per week).
- Free parking.
- Octopus Electric Vehicles Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 7 April 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Housing Options Triage Officer in Gravesend employer: Gravesham Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Gravesham Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Options Triage Officer in Gravesend
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the council's values and mission. When you walk into that interview, show us how your passion for community service aligns with what we stand for. It’s all about making a connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to present complex information clearly, so try explaining housing options to a friend or family member. The clearer you are, the more confident you’ll feel.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your experiences with vulnerable households. We want to hear how you've handled tough situations and what solutions you came up with. Real-life examples can really make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Gravesham Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Options Triage Officer in Gravesend
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 Triage Officer role. We want to see how you can bring value to our team and serve our community effectively.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves presenting complex information, be sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your written application. Use clear and concise language to show us you can convey sensitive information in an understandable way.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention any experience you have working with vulnerable households or in busy environments. We’re looking for someone who can handle pressure and has a proactive attitude, so make that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Gravesham Borough Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gravesham Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the local authority's role in homelessness and housing allocation. Familiarise yourself with tenancy law and homeless legislation, as these are crucial for the Housing Options Triage Officer role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be dealing with vulnerable households and potentially difficult customers, it's essential to demonstrate your well-developed communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've presented complex information clearly in the past, especially in sensitive situations. This will highlight your ability to connect with a range of audiences.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
The job requires a solutions-focused mindset, so think of specific instances where you've developed innovative plans or solutions in challenging situations. Be ready to share these examples during the interview to illustrate your proactive approach and problem-solving abilities.
✨Prepare for Pressure
Working in a busy environment means you'll need to handle pressure well. Think of times when you've successfully managed multiple tasks or tight deadlines. Sharing these experiences will demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure, which is key for this role.