Job title: Land and Property Support Officer
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
Are you looking to play your part in transforming one of the most dynamic cities in the UK? Our vision is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK. One that is caring and compassionate, has a strong economy and which tackles and reduces inequalities. The Land and Property Team forms part of Asset Management & Regeneration and works with partners to facilitate the transformation of the city to create the right conditions for further growth. Our team of approximately 30 Chartered Surveyors and technicians undertake the vast majority of the property based transactions for the Council working with other professional colleagues across Asset Management and Regeneration, together with Legal, Financial, Housing, Planning, Highways and Economic Services within the Council.
The team has a track record of working collaboratively with partners and across all sectors, successfully supporting direct delivery of a diverse range of initiatives, including major city centre, retail and leisure schemes, housing programmes, neighbourhood regeneration, economic development, heritage leads development and inward investment.
The Council has a large let estate and has enhanced this by way of the acquisition of properties to establish a prime portfolio of investment assets, which support our revenue budgets and are planning further to develop and growth to our let estates to support the economic growth of the city. The Council also has a large agricultural estate, providing opportunities to support priorities around carbon capture, carbon reduction and future strategic development.
About the role
Working within the Land and Property Team, you will provide technical support across the service to assist with the delivery of a wide range of property based matters. The work is fast paced and dynamic supporting the delivery and improvement of services which meet the needs of our stakeholders.
One of the key areas for the role will be the collation, management and progression of requests received into the service from statutory undertakers (e.g. gas & electricity suppliers) and telecoms operators. The work will involve the issuing of licences to occupy, granting access, easements and wayleaves to enable the use of the Council’s property assets. To succeed in this role, we are looking for an individual that is organised, methodical and has careful attention to details.
Future areas of work where they may be the opportunity to become involved include routine property transactions for example rent reviews and disposals, providing support for the undertaking of right to buy and asset valuations which are statutory requirements and support the Council’s financial management process and reporting.
The role will include some on-site working, supporting work commensurate with the grade and communicating with parties outside of the immediate team to include elected ward members.
About You
We are seeking a self-motivated, versatile, organised applicant to provide support to the Land and Property team. The successful applicant should demonstrate the necessary skills and experience. It would be preferable to have had some experience of property or built environment related transactional matters.
You will work as part of a larger team with a proactive culture and in partnership to help deliver our estate strategy and service objectives. You will have experience of working as part of a dedicated team, and be effective in managing competing priorities and workloads, responding quickly and appropriately to changing needs and be able to demonstrate excellent organisation skills.
What we offer you
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement (word limit: 3,000) which explains why you meet the criteria listed in the personal specification and core competencies.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Rosie Fordham, Principal Land and Property Officer by email rosie.fordham@leeds.gov.uk
Job Description
Job Purpose
To provide appropriate technical support to the Asset Management and Regeneration service in the delivery on a wide range of matters and projects.
Principal Accountabilities
* To undertake the delivery of specified elements of the Divisional Plan, Service Plan and Best Council Plan in relation to a defined activity or small range of activities, in order to meet targets and achieve improvements.
* Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement areas, focusing on equality of outcome.
* To work with service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government.
* To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to achieve corporate objectives and to maintain a position of service provider of first choice.
* To work flexibly across the Asset Management and Regeneration Service to respond to Service priorities as needed.
* To assist in delivering projects to support the Asset Management and Regeneration Service objectives.
* To assist in the implementation of specific asset management and regeneration initiatives and programmes.
* To assist in carrying out appropriate research, option appraisal exercises and other related project activity to a professional standard as directed.
* To assist with the preparation of project funding proposals.
Specific Responsibilities
Coordinate and supervise the work of Technical and Support Staff as required.
Carry out inspections, surveys and negotiations in respect of the land and premises including:
* Sales, purchases or lettings.
* Rating, asset and compensation matters.
* Repair and maintenance requests
* Preparation of schedules, particulars and reports.
* Granting or reserving tenancies, leases, easements, wayleaves, rights of way and access.
* Determining property disputes, encroachment and regularisations.
* Marketing of property.
To prepare terms for the above property transactions and negotiate and agree transaction for these terms.
Prepare instructions for Solicitors to undertake work to complete the above property transactions.
Prepare reports for the approval of the range of activities undertaken by the Asset Management and Regeneration Service.
Responsible for co-ordinating and monitoring the work undertaken by the section, producing the appropriate reports as required in respect of the above areas of work.
The preparation of technical and survey material, including drafting reports and plans.
Assist senior officers, and on occasions, manage projects which impact upon the range of Asset Management and Regeneration activities.
Provide senior technical support to professionally qualified officers.
Assist senior officers, and on occasions, prepare project briefs and tenders for Asset Management and Regeneration service projects.
Liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure the aims and objectives of the Asset Management and Regeneration service are met.
Prepare and present verbal and written reports, publications and correspondence as required.
Help to ensure that good communication with all stakeholders is maintained.
Essential requirements
* Able to provide appropriate technical support in the delivery on a wide range of matters and projects.
* Able to operate effectively within a management matrix system.
* Able to assist in the development, implementation and manage a range of business support processes.
* Able to compile and present statutory and other statistical returns and reports and ensure their appropriate distribution.
* Able to implement appropriate systems for the control of assets and stock requisites.
* Able to prioritise workloads and monitor and report achievements.
* Able to produce accurate, detailed and complex documents sometimes of a technical nature.
* Able to receive and deal with complaints, enquires and requests for advice from colleagues, members of the public and external agencies and organisations.
* Good numeric and literacy skills.
* Able to plan, allocate and evaluate work in order to achieve Service Plan objectives.
* Able to undertake day to day management of staff.
* Able to undertake activities to develop staff utilising the Council’s appraisal scheme.
* Able to provide a responsive and flexible service as needs change.
* A commitment to improving service delivery and developing good practice.
* A commitment to the development of personal skills and ability.
* Able to manage work programmes, materials and equipment within agreed budgets.
* Able to deliver continuous improvement in service delivery and staff management.
* Ability to develop and contribute to teamwork and working with various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
* Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
* Familiarity with use of Microsoft Office packages and other systems relevant to the operation of Asset Management and Regeneration.
* Knowledge of the council’s standing orders and financial regulations.
* Knowledge of admin and business support management systems.
* Knowledge of the issues in relation to the successful delivery of Asset Management & Regeneration initiatives and programmes.
* Detailed knowledge of and familiarity with technical and specialist information in relation to the workings and functions of the Asset Management and Regeneration Service within the Council.
* Dealing with complex customer/client issues.
* Working on interdepartmental and interagency projects.
* Experience of dealing with a wide range of people to achieve objectives and targets.
* Experience of managing administrative staff.
* Experience of managing properties, using property management software and techniques and reporting recommendations.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
* Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
* A further qualification in quality assurance, business administration, public administration, ECDL or related subject.
* Knowledge and understanding of Local Government, its functions, services and organisation.
* Previous experience of business support duties.
* Experience of continuous improvement in service delivery and staff management.
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