Customer Relations Officer - Portsmouth

The Social Housing Sector has seen considerable change in the last 2 years with the addition of new and revised regulations including a new set of consumer standards. Portsmouth Homes is undertaking a programme of change to respond to the new environment and changes in expectations from our tenants and leaseholders. This is a fantastic opportunity to join us as a Customer Relations Officer!

The Customer Relations Officer (CRO) provides comprehensive support to Portsmouth Homes Landlord services across Area Housing Offices. Most of the communication is front facing with tenants and leaseholders, so there is always a need to present Portsmouth Homes positively and professionally. There will also be a need to communicate with other teams within Portsmouth Homes, PCC and external partners/organisations, such as Social Services, HNAS, Building Services, Finance & Treasury, I.T, HR, the Police etc. CRO's must respond to customer/resident enquiries at the reception counter, by phone, respond to emails and where necessary refer matters to the right resource. CRO's also arrange appointments for customers where necessary with other officers or teams to ensure that Portsmouth Homes meets its obligations under the Consumer Standards and for Compliance matters.

Who is the person?

• Have previous customer service experience preferably through dealing with members of the public by telephone and in-person.
• Have good communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide variety of customers in a sensitive and emphatic manner.
• Be well organised, able to prioritise tasks and manage your own workload.
• Able to work as part of a team to ensure a smooth delivery of the service and be flexible in being able to adapt to the needs of the team.
• Be numerate and able to handle money accurately as part of the cashiering role.
• Have a positive attitude towards work and actively work with your colleagues to improve the service offered to customers.
• Have good IT skills including accurate data entry and use of software applications. Training will be given on the specific systems used in housing.
• Have an awareness and understanding of the Data Protection Policy as you will be dealing with confidential information.
• Be able to work from any of the area housing offices when required.

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.

Our recruitment process: Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page. You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage. Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team. If you need additional support looking for roles, you may be eligible for help under our Connect to Work programme.