Job title: Neighbourhood Services Officer
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
As a Neighbourhood Services Officer, you’ll thrive on working with multiple teams on various projects, helping us develop our internal and external communication needs, and respond to and comply with legislative changes.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Neighbourhood Services Officer you will bring to the role:
* Ability to think creatively and design communications for internal and external audiences
* Ability to support teams develop communications that are in Plain English, accessible, and can be shared through various channels
* Ability to form good working relationships with colleagues and residents
* An enthusiasm to want to design, launch and communicate new and innovative ways of working
About the role
As our next Neighbourhood Services Officer, you’ll help us respond to legislative changes and meet the commitments within our Service Plan.
The role is integral to our Tenant Engagement Team as we implement new ways to listen, respond, and communicate with residents as part of a new approach to tenant engagement in line with regulatory changes.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* 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 clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Roisin Donnelly, Housing Manager, 0113 378 3200 or email roisin.donnelly@leeds.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job purpose: To deliver an efficient, customer focused service which maximises performance levels and achieves continuous improvements in all areas of housing management services.
Responsibilities
* To deliver a housing management service within the Neighbourhood Services areas of Income Management, Tenant and Community Involvement, Lettings and Tenancy Management Policy and Older Persons Housing.
* To actively contribute towards the development, review and improvement of policies and strategies in line with current legislation and best practice.
* To deliver training and support to officers within area housing teams relating to the implementation of policies and procedures and work with officers to improve service delivery of a Neighbourhood Service area.
* To work with tenants and communities to ensure that policies and procedures and the Housing Leeds service meets the needs of tenants and communities.
* To review the performance/outcomes of a Neighbourhood Service area and use the results to influence policy development or work with area housing teams to improve practice.
* To work in partnership with other teams and departments to ensure joined up services to tenants and other service users.
* To develop positive working relationships with key stakeholders including: tenants, applicants and other partner organisations.
* To take a people-oriented solutions-focused approach to dealing with customers, quickly and professionally.
* To manage a budget where applicable and ensure value for money in all aspects of service delivery, and policy and procedure development.
* To contribute to the delivery of service improvement plans.
* To work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services and achievement of performance targets.
* To contribute to the improvement of local service delivery in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders and partners.
* To be personally effective, demonstrating commitment and time management.
* Contribute to culture change to deliver focused and continuously improving services.
* To support the achievement of equality and diversity in both employment and service delivery including the promotion of equality of opportunity.
* To ensure that the Council’s health and safety policies and procedures are adhered to.
* To work outside normal working hours, where required.
* To demonstrate and embed the Councils values and manager habits to lead, support and drive cultural change.
* To lead, manage, motivate, mentor, and develop teams in accordance with council policies ensuring that they policies are understood and followed.
* To ensure that the team work professionally, competently and in a forward-thinking and customer-focused way whilst embracing collaborative partnership working to achieve excellence.
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Qualifications and Knowledge
* A degree level qualification or equivalent relevant experience of managing in a housing context.
* Knowledge of the functions of a comprehensive housing management service.
* Knowledge of Landlord’s statutory responsibilities.
* Up to date knowledge of social housing and issues affecting the sector.
* Up to date knowledge of housing legislation and policies.
* An awareness of key stakeholders, partners and third sector organisations.
Skills and competencies
* Able to communicate with and influence customers and other stakeholders.
* Able to lead, motivate and empower staff to achieve positive outcomes.
* Ability to identify operational problems and develop innovative solutions across a full range of housing services.
* Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including members, external and internal partners, and residents.
* Ability to analyse and interpret complex information.
* Ability to write concise reports, deliver presentations and chair meetings.
* Competent in the use of IT systems including Microsoft applications.
* Able to manage conflicting priorities and adapt to changing circumstances.
* Ability to manage and delegate resources effectively.
* Able to work with trade unions and consult as necessary.
Experience
* Contributing to projects and initiatives.
* Managing resources within defined budgets.
* Working with residents and members to achieve defined outcomes.
* Developing service objectives and operational delivery plans.
* Recognising and dealing effectively with inappropriate behaviour.
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 It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements; however, these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
* Membership of a relevant professional body.
* Recent experience of managing teams in a housing related context including motivation and staff development.
* Experience of working with and consulting with trade unions.
* Experience of working within a political environment.
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