At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage leaseholder accounts and support customers facing financial difficulties.
- Company: Join a dedicated housing services team making a difference in North Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and contribute to community welfare.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping people sustain their tenancies and improve their lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing management and customer service is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Housing Services team are responsible for delivering the Council's statutory housing functions, including the allocation and management of the Council's housing stock, monitoring and recovery of housing-related debt and tenant engagement responsibilities.
The jobholder will work as part of a busy team of housing professionals specialising in Income Management across a range of tenure types and chargeable services to provide a comprehensive, high-quality service and ensure our customers can sustain their tenancies. By maximising income collection, it enables us to fund and reinvest in housing-related services for tenants in North Yorkshire.
The jobholder will be expected to undertake intensive management of leaseholder accounts for domestic properties, garden and garage plots, communal service charges, shared ownership charges, so customers prioritise their responsibility to pay.
The key job roles will include the administration of a full range of customer account management, collection and recovery functions, including attendance at Court to ensure all housing-related income is paid and take appropriate action in accordance with Policy & Procedure for non-payment to reduce the number of accounts that fail and prevent homelessness.
You will also provide knowledgeable help and advice to customers who are experiencing financial difficulty and struggling to meet their rent obligations, and support and encourage customers to seek out solutions, access relevant benefits and signpost them to other support providers.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Experience of housing management within a Social Housing environment.
- Experience of debt recovery, pursuance of housing arrears and enforcement.
- Experience of working with vulnerable customers in financial hardship.
- Experience of delivering customer-focused services in a variety of settings.
- Awareness and understanding of Housing legislation and an appreciation of the duties and responsibilities of the Council as a landlord.
- Understanding of leaseholders' obligations.
- Experience of working with other agencies.
- Awareness, knowledge, and adherence to Information Governance/Data Protection principles.
- Awareness and knowledge of Equality legislation.
- Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities.
Occupational Skills:
- Good standard of numeracy, English language and computer literacy, including the ability to explain policies and procedures clearly.
- Analytical and problem solver, brings own ideas and initiatives to resolve issues.
- Ability to listen and be sympathetic to customers, often in stressful situations.
- Able to develop, maintain and contribute to constructive working relationships.
- Ability to follow set procedures.
- Ability to work to deadlines.
- Able to communicate effectively, and with empathy, to a wider range of people with varying needs to ensure the message is understood.
- Plans and organises work to meet individual, team and organisational objectives.
- Ability to work under pressure and with customers who have high expectations/good negotiation skills.
- Supports opportunities for positive change and actively looks for ways to improve the service.
- Willing to work flexibly in accordance with policies and procedures to meet the operational needs of the Council.
Contracts Officer (Temporary) in York employer: JOB SWITCH LTD
As a Contracts Officer with the Council, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing housing services in North Yorkshire. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee development and offers opportunities for meaningful engagement with the community, ensuring that you can make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable customers. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, we provide a rewarding environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Officer (Temporary) in York
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Officer (Temporary) in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at JOB SWITCH LTD
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from JOB SWITCH LTD.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show JOB SWITCH LTD that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
