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- Tasks: Assist with housing applications and provide essential advice to prevent homelessness.
- Company: Join Stevenage Borough Council, dedicated to community welfare and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holidays, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role with opportunities for part-time and job share.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and the ability to manage customer expectations are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30024 - 32597 £ per year.
£30,024 to £32,597 pa pro rata for hours worked
JOB TITLE Housing Options Assistant
POST NUMBER 014666
WEEKLY WORKING HOURS 37
SALARY RANGE £30,024 – £32,597pa – pro rata for hours worked
TYPE OF CONTRACT Fixed term (12 months)
LOCATION Stevenage
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is an opportunity to join the busy Housing Options Team. The role of a Housing Options Assistant involves carrying out initial assessments and triage of new applications, being the first port of call for all approaches into the service and providing customers with in depth housing advice with a strong focus on preventing homelessness.
A DBS check and a Values Based Interview will be carried out for this post
ABOUT YOU
The successful candidate will have
• The ability to work on your own initiative and flexibility in dealing with varying workloads.
• Ability to manage demand for housing by dealing with customer expectations while offering advice and assistance and housing options, delivering the most appropriate resolution to their housing need, preventing homelessness wherever possible.
• You will have effective communication and negotiation skills who can engage with customers in a demanding environment in order to find solutions.
OUR BENEFITS
• Pension Scheme: We offer a career average pension scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• Flexible working: available upon request, subject to operational requirements.
• Part time and Job share opportunism – all our full-time vacancies are open to job share unless otherwise stated.
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave, maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave.
• 25 days holiday rising to 31 days (depending on Local Government service)
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues
• Season ticket loans and discounts for public transport
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Stevenage Credit Union: secure savings, free life insurance and access to cheap loans.
• Employee Discounts: via monthly paid membership of the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
• Discounted Health and Fitness membership
• Trade Unions: For a small fee, all employees have the opportunity to join a Trade Union.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be made on online – please visit https://jobs.stevenage.gov.uk/StevenageBorough/Home
For an informal discussion about this role please contact
Name Carmel Traynor
Job Title Review Officer
Phone Number 01438 242242
Email Housing.Options@Stevenage.gov.uk
Closing date for receipt of applications: Sunday 17 August 2025
Interviews will be held week commencing: Monday 25 August 2025
Please note that if we receive a large volume of applications for this role, we reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the published closing date
Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, volunteers and recruitment candidates to share this commitment. SBC shall take all reasonable steps to employ staff who are safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. For posts identified with regular contact with these groups applicants will be required to undertake a Value Based Interview. The council supports the legislative requirements for employing and maintaining safer staff and the guidance specified by Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board
Stevenage Borough Council is committed to Equal Opportunities for All. For further information please click https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-the-council/jobs-and-careers/equal-opportunities
Stevenage Borough Council, Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1HN
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Housing Options Assistant employer: Stevenage Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Stevenage Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Options Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local housing options and homelessness prevention strategies in Stevenage. Understanding the specific challenges and resources available in the area will help you engage more effectively during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication and negotiation skills by role-playing scenarios where you assist customers with their housing needs. This will prepare you for the demanding environment you'll face as a Housing Options Assistant.
✨Tip Number 3
Reach out to current or former employees of the Housing Options Team to gain insights into the role and the team dynamics. Their experiences can provide valuable information that may help you stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your ability to work independently and manage varying workloads. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your initiative and flexibility, as these are key qualities for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Options Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Housing Options Assistant. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your effective communication and negotiation skills in your CV and cover letter. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with customers or managed demanding situations in the past.
Showcase Initiative and Flexibility: Demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage varying workloads. Include examples in your application that illustrate your initiative and adaptability in previous roles.
Prepare for Values Based Interview: Since a Values Based Interview will be part of the selection process, think about your personal values and how they align with the council's commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare. Prepare examples that reflect your understanding of these values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stevenage Borough Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Housing Options Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks such as initial assessments, triage of applications, and providing housing advice. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with customers or resolved conflicts in the past. Highlight your ability to convey complex information clearly and empathetically.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss situations where you've had to think on your feet and find solutions under pressure. The interviewers will be looking for your ability to manage customer expectations and prevent homelessness, so come prepared with relevant examples.
✨Prepare for Values Based Questions
Since this role involves a Values Based Interview, reflect on your personal values and how they align with the organisation's commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare. Be prepared to share experiences that showcase your integrity and dedication to helping others.