Gypsy/Traveller Engagement Officer, Pullar House, Perth - Internal

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of something meaningful. It's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

We currently have the following opportunity:

Gypsy/Traveller Engagement Officer - PKC12632
£35,588 - £39,248
Pullar House, Perth

Please note: Only existing employees of Perth & Kinross Council may apply.

Perth & Kinross Council is seeking a dedicated and proactive Gypsy/Traveller Engagement Officer to join our Housing & Communities Service.  

This exciting and rewarding role involves engaging with Gypsy/Traveller residents on Council-operated sites and those passing through the Council area.

You will ensure their needs are heard and addressed appropriately, fostering resident involvement and community engagement.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Gypsy/Traveller communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs met.

You will be part of a supportive team dedicated to promoting equality and improving housing services.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the community?  If so, we are seeking a dynamic individual to efficiently manage Council-owned Gypsy/Traveller sites, ensuring they meet all policies, standards, and Health & Safety regulations.  This role involves developing and maintaining professional relationships with the Gypsy/Traveller community through effective consultation and engagement.

As a key part of the role, you will assist site residents in sustaining their homes by providing advice on benefits, financial matters, and signposting to appropriate services.

You will collaborate with Council services, third sector agencies, and key stakeholders to address and meet residents' needs.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for someone with a strong understanding and experience in developing housing-related policies that counter discrimination and prejudice faced by the Gypsy/Traveller community.

You must also possess the skills and knowledge to lead the management of site improvements, from planning to implementation, ensuring residents' voices shape service delivery.

Are you ready to make a real impact in the community?  If so, we are looking for someone with a deep understanding of housing issues, policies, and legislation related to Housing and Homelessness, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and Data Protection. 

You should possess excellent community engagement skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to negotiate and influence effectively.  Strong ICT literacy is also essential.

In this role, you will need to thrive under pressure, make informed decisions, prioritise your workload, and consistently meet targets and deadlines.

Flexibility is key, as you must be willing to work evenings and weekends when required.

You must have a valid UK driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time
• Access to a range of benefits

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

For purposes of connection and collaboration with colleagues and with the community we serve, our full-time employees work on site for a minimum of 2 days per week with the arrangements for part time employees being agreed on a basis which will ensure that they benefit to an equivalent degree.

Our FAQs on hybrid working can be found here Hybrid working FAQs

We are committed to being a more inclusive employer - to ensure we can consider any reasonable adjustments, please either contact the recruiting manager to discuss any individual circumstances, discuss at interview or, if you prefer, after any conditional offer is made.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Andrea McCallum, Service Manger - Housing on 01738 476079 to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses.  One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.