Housing Officer (maternity cover) JBLE1_NI in Belfast

Your new company

The services of Hays have been retained by our client, Alpha Housing, to recruit a Housing Officer for a minimum of 12 months to cover a period of maternity leave. Alpha currently manages a stock of c. 1,000 homes in 40 locations across Northern Ireland. Homes are mainly sheltered housing for older people living independently. The stock also consists of an increasing number of family homes through the growing newbuild programme.

Your new role

Reporting to the Head of Homes and Communities, you will be responsible for providing an effective and comprehensive range of Housing Management services, including:

• Allocating properties in accordance with the rules of the NI Housing Selection Scheme and the Association's policies.
• Signing up new tenants, providing advice on all tenancy matters, services of the Association, welfare and benefit entitlement.
• Managing the effective and efficient turnaround of all void properties in conjunction with maintenance colleagues and in line with the Association's policies and procedures.
• Liaising with Development colleagues, attending site meetings as required to prepare for handover and commencement of new tenancies.
• Managing anti-social behaviour cases, liaising with relevant bodies and adhering to policies and procedures.
• Ensuring delivery of housing and support services at schemes by the scheme staff, including completion and review of individual needs and risk assessments of tenants.
• Working with Finance colleagues to ensure the payment of weekly charges by all tenants and take appropriate action in relation to arrears recovery in line with policies and procedures.
• Supervising the Scheme Co-ordinator in each of the schemes within the designated housing patch.
• Carrying out site visits to schemes at agreed intervals to provide support to scheme staff.

What you'll need to succeed

To be considered for this position, you must possess:

• A relevant 3rd level housing qualification and a minimum of 1 years' experience within a housing environment, or;
• A degree in any discipline and 2 years' relevant housing management experience, or;
• 3 years' experience as a Housing Officer within the last 5 years.

You will also possess:

• Working knowledge of the rules of the Housing Selection Scheme, including running waiting lists, allocating properties and managing transfers.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• A high level of organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise with a range of people.
• Supervisory skills.
• Ability to work within a team but willing to use your own initiative to take the lead when necessary.
• Working knowledge of MS Office packages.

What you'll get in return

Alongside a competitive basic salary, this role comes with:

• Essential car users allowance of £1,239 per annum.
• Annual incremental progression through the salary scale is dependent on satisfactory performance. There is also an annual cost of living increase.
• A defined contributory pension scheme with the employers' contribution set at 10% of annual salary.
• Hybrid working, with two fixed days per week in the office, currently Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Flexible start and finish times.
• Car parking on-site.
• The organisation encourages and supports personal and career development, such as funding colleagues to obtain professional qualifications or providing time to participate in sector initiatives and working groups.

What you need to do now

Please contact Andrew McLarnon to discuss this position in confidence. Alternatively, please apply using the link attached to register your interest.