At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the first point of contact for customers needing housing advice and support.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on helping vulnerable individuals and families.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Help those in need while building a rewarding career in housing support.
- Qualifications: Strong listening skills, empathy, and a desire to assist others.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Housing Needs Advice & Support is recruiting for the role of Housing Triage Officer. The Housing Triage Officer is the first point of contact for customers needing help and advice with housing. This is an exciting and varied role dealing with a wide range of enquiries, giving advice and referring customers for further assessment where needed.
You will be part of a team which deals with the initial contact from customers face to face and by telephone and email. You will need to listen carefully to understand the circumstances of each customer, showing understanding and empathy to each person. You will make an initial assessment of each customer's circumstances, gathering information and asking questions to clarify the circumstances.
You will give advice on a range of housing issues including the Portsmouth Housing Register, homelessness and private renting. You will deal with enquiries yourself, explaining the criteria for accessing social housing and where appropriate will signpost to other relevant services. Where further assessment is required, you will understand the main presenting demand and identify the correct team to progress an assessment. Using our IT systems, you will make clear records of each contact. You will undertake other administrative duties as required.
You will need excellent listening skills, patience and empathy as well as resilience and an ability to think on your feet and manage multiple priorities. This is an excellent opportunity if you are looking for a career in housing as you will gain a wide range of experience and knowledge and an opportunity to enhance your skills working with customers.
Skills:- Has an interest and experience of the issues facing vulnerable and homeless people and households with housing needs, and a desire to work to assist customers to resolve these issues.
- Has excellent listening skills and is able to process and gather information to understand what is needed and wanted by a customer.
- Is confident and can clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing, giving advice and explaining housing policy to our customers.
- Has excellent organisational skills, and an ability to prioritise work to meet the daily demand from customers to the service.
- Is flexible and able to respond to changing priorities and levels of customer demand.
- Is an excellent team player.
- Is able to show empathy and understanding to customers contacting the service and deal tactfully and sensitively with their enquiry.
- Is adaptable, able to think on their feet to find solutions to deal with the presenting issues.
- Is emotionally resilient and able to deal with the impact of being exposed to customer's difficult circumstances, and remain professionally detached and focused even if the message you deliver involves saying no.
- Has an awareness of equalities issues and is committed to equal opportunities.
- Has an understanding of safeguarding and ability to recognise safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action to manage risk.
- Works proactively and is able to remain motivated, working on their own initiative.
- Has IT skills suited to working in a busy office.
- The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Housing Triage Officer in England employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Triage Officer in England
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with housing issues, especially those affecting vulnerable and homeless people. This will help you connect with customers and show that you genuinely care about their situations.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your listening skills! When you're in an interview or networking, focus on really hearing what others are saying. This will not only help you understand their needs but also demonstrate your empathy and ability to handle sensitive situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully juggled tasks while maintaining a high level of service.
✨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 proactive and serious about landing this exciting role as a Housing Triage Officer.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Triage Officer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Housing Triage Officer role. Highlight your experience with vulnerable populations and your ability to communicate effectively, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Listening Skills: In your application, emphasise your excellent listening skills and how you've used them in past roles. We want to see that you can understand and empathise with customers' situations, so share specific examples!
Demonstrate Organisational Skills: Since this role involves managing multiple priorities, be sure to mention any relevant experience where you've successfully juggled tasks. We love seeing candidates who can stay organised under pressure!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on housing issues, especially those affecting vulnerable and homeless people. Familiarise yourself with the Portsmouth Housing Register and common housing policies so you can speak confidently about them.
✨Show Empathy
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to listen and empathise. Share examples from your past experiences where you've helped someone in a difficult situation. This will show that you understand the importance of compassion in this role.
✨Be Organised
Prepare for the interview by organising your thoughts and examples of how you've managed multiple priorities in previous roles. Being able to articulate your organisational skills will highlight your suitability for handling the demands of the job.
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and the challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.