Housing Options 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:

Housing Options Officer - PKC12292
£31,984 - £35,100
Pullar House, Perth

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

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Housing Options Team in Pullar House, Perth.

The role will have two key focuses, you will provide a customer focused housing options service to families and individuals who need affordable housing and a homeless advice service to persons who are homeless or threatened with homeless and to prevent and relieve homelessness by using established procedures and developing creative new solutions.

You will provide a customer focused housing options service to families and individuals who need affordable housing and a homeless advice service to persons who are homeless or threatened with homeless.

As Housing Options Officer you will:

• Help support people to help resolve their housing issue.
• Carry out home visits and work with each individual and household to reduce the immediate risk of living arrangements breaking down.
• Use the Homeless Prevention Fund in creative and innovative ways to prevent and relieve homelessness.
• Work with letting agents, Perth & Kinross’s Private Sector Team and private landlords in order to secure private rented accommodation for households that are homeless or threatened with homelessness
• Encourage a holistic approach to the needs of homeless people by establishing links with health, education, employment and other relevant agencies.
• Provide training sessions to partner agencies in order to develop positive working relationships and to ensure accurate advice is given at the earliest point of contact to those threatened with homelessness.
• Actively promote and participate in new initiatives and future service improvements.
• Bring a positive energy; embrace change and work with the business to ensure optimum service is always provided.

Skills & Experience Required

Experience of working within housing options, homelessness prevention, or social housing is essential. 

You will have knowledge of housing & homeless legislation, policies, and procedures.

Candidates should ideally hold a Chartered Institute of Housing Level 3/4 Certificate/Diploma in Housing Practice or relevant equivalent.

Have experience of working in housing and or related environment.

The ability to understand basic relevant legislation is essential. 

Be computer literate with proven IT skills. 

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

The successful candidate should hold the following behaviours, skills and attitudes:

• Sensitivity and empathy.
• Don't say 'its not my job.'
• An interest in working with diverse social groups.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• A customer-first approach to work.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Leadership skills.
• The ability to adapt to different situations.
• Self-motivation and tenacity.
• Problem-solving skills.
• The ability to make decisions, work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• The ability to work flexibly, on their own initiative and as part of a team.
• Be resilient to cope with the demands of the role.

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 PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 7 public holidays (non teaching)
• 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 Health & Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time
• Access to a range of Benefits including discounted Gym Membership, Annual Leave Purchase Scheme and Low Carbon Car Scheme to name but a few.

You can find more information about our Employee Benefits on our website Employment information - 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.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Steven Robb, Co-ordinator - Housing Options & Independent Living on 01738 476000 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 hiring manager above or 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.

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 relevant pre-employment.