Trainee Housing Standards Officer

Internal Vacancy - Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies. This job may be suitable as a secondment opportunity for internal candidates wishing to gain experience in a higher or different role. Managers and applicants must note that all secondments are subject to agreement between the relevant departments and therefore the recruiting manager must speak with HR before offering a job on a secondment basis.

Trainee Housing Standards Officer Fixed Term – 2 years (Trainee role is paid at 80% of roles full grade (PO4) in Year 1, rising to 90% in year 2 subject to performance and competency framework).

About the Role: It’s an exciting time to join Wirral’s Housing Services with the Renter’s Rights Act bringing in new rights for tenants and new duties for the Council to ensure tenancies are operated fairly. We have a new opportunity within our Housing Standards team for trainees to drive forward our Housing agenda and passion to support our customers. We offer a supportive training environment and a bespoke level 5 Diploma Course through Middlesex University for you to become a Housing Standards Practitioner when you'll be responsible for improving housing standards across the Borough. Initially you will be shadowing officers but eventually you will be working pro-actively, providing advice and guidance, undertaking property inspections and enforcement activity to reduce hazards in a range of housing types in the private sector. We are looking for candidates who have a passion to drive up standards.

About the candidate: We would welcome candidates who are either starting their careers in housing or have already worked/are working in this field. We are looking for someone who is keen to learn about property conditions and their impact on health, surveying, and the range of tools available to tackle poor conditions including Improvement Notices and Civil Penalty Notices. In return we will offer you comprehensive training and support to enable you to grow into the role of Housing Standards Officer (HSO). Subject to performance and available resources, it is anticipated you will progress to the role of HSO at the end of the 2-year fixed term contract. If you have already knowledge of Housing Health and Rating System and/or a knowledge of housing legislation, or experience of an enforcement environment, this will be an advantage, but structured training and excellent career progression will be provided for this unique role.

We will offer you the opportunity to work generically across all private sector housing disciplines in a professional team of like-minded officers. You should be customer focused with excellent interpersonal skills as well as experience dealing with the public face to face and over the telephone. Above all you will be looking to improve the way we engage with our employees, residents, and customers to ensure they are at the heart of everything we do.

The posts are advertised for an initial fixed term of 24 months, after which time it is expected the post holders will progress to Housing Standards Officers subject to funding.

If you wish to discuss this role or require further information, please contact Emma Foley on email emmafoley@wirral.gov.uk.

As part of our Talent Strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we're passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience. Please get in touch if you want to know more about some of the ways in which we could support you by emailing recruitment@wirral.gov.uk.

It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances. Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed. All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page. The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now.

How to apply: Please apply online by clicking the link below.