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- Tasks: Assist customers with housing needs and manage a diverse caseload.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to supporting the community.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by helping them find housing solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and gain valuable experience in public service.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Based in Housing Needs, Advice & Support, you will be part of a team which deals with customers both face to face and by telephone. You will be required to deal with general housing enquiries and be part of a duty team who manage a large caseload. You will make assessments of housing need, interviewing customers about their housing situation and assessing their financial circumstances, to fully understand the customers' circumstances and support them to find solutions to their housing problems.
Responsibilities
- Your work will involve making assessments to determine the customers' housing need, eligibility, and priority in accordance with Portsmouth City Council's Allocation Scheme.
- You will also be allocating to social housing vacancies from the Portsmouth Housing Register, liaising with a range of internal and external agencies to determine the best and most appropriate use of the property.
- You will need to clearly explain statutory processes to our customers and other professionals, and compose letters and emails which explain your decisions and relevant legislation.
- You will need to record appropriate system notes to ensure a clear and auditable trail of your actions and decisions.
- You will need to visit customers in their own homes and other settings, for example in hospital, and represent Housing Needs, Advice & Support at multi-agency meetings.
- Keeping yourself aware of correct working practice and changes to legislation and both sharing and following good practice in the department is necessary and expected.
- Housing Register and Allocation Officers have large caseloads and are expected to prioritise the work to make the best use of the time available for the benefit of our customers.
- You will be expected to work flexibly as you may be required to visit vacant properties or cover another officer's workload at short notice.
Skills
- Is highly motivated and self-managing.
- Can listen to people and not rush to conclusions or judgements before fully understanding what is needed or wanted by a customer.
- Has the confidence and ability to seek clarity by making respectful and assertive challenges when required.
- Can use information gained to build effective plans around people.
- Is emotionally resilient and able to deal with the impact of being exposed to customers' difficult circumstances, remaining professionally detached and focused even if the message delivered involves saying no.
- Has experience of working directly with customers in a front-line service and understands the challenges that vulnerable client groups can face.
- Has an awareness of equalities issues and is committed to equal opportunities.
- Has an awareness of the welfare benefits system and understands how a person's financial circumstances may impact on their housing situation.
- Can negotiate with our customers, housing providers, and internal and external agencies to find person-centred solutions to housing problems.
- Can clearly and effectively communicate with a wide range of people from the most socially disadvantaged customers to senior professionals, verbally and in writing.
- Is comfortable using a variety of IT systems such as Excel and other office applications.
- Can work independently or as part of a team using your own initiative and judgement to find appropriate and effective solutions to the various issues that may arise.
- Is proactive and able to manage multiple tasks whilst also being able to meet deadlines.
- Is flexible, as they may be required to visit vacant properties, work from any housing area or cover another workload at short notice.
Housing Register & Allocations Officer employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Register & Allocations Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Portsmouth City Council and their approach to housing needs. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with a variety of customers, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to listen and explain things clearly. Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated tricky situations or helped someone find a solution. Be ready to share these during your interview to highlight your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself on their radar and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Register & Allocations Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Housing Register & Allocations Officer role. Highlight your experience with housing needs, customer service, and any relevant legislation knowledge. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be dealing with a variety of customers and professionals, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application, and maybe share examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information in the past.
Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities: We love candidates who can think on their feet! In your application, mention specific instances where you've successfully navigated challenges or found solutions for customers. This will show us that you're ready to tackle the demands of the role.
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 makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Housing Register & Allocations Officer. Familiarise yourself with Portsmouth City Council's Allocation Scheme and be ready to discuss how you would assess housing needs and eligibility. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but that you've done your homework.
✨Practice Active Listening
During the interview, demonstrate your listening skills by engaging with the interviewer. When they ask questions, take a moment to think before responding. This will help you avoid rushing to conclusions and show that you value understanding the customer's needs, which is crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Be prepared to explain complex processes clearly and concisely. You might be asked to describe how you would communicate decisions to customers or other professionals. Use examples from your past experience to illustrate your ability to convey important information effectively.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Resilience
Share examples of how you've managed large caseloads or dealt with challenging situations in the past. Highlight your ability to adapt to changing circumstances and maintain professionalism, even when faced with difficult customer interactions. This will reassure them that you can handle the demands of the role.
