Accommodation Officer

1 x 12 months Fixed Term - 37 hours, Monday to Friday This is a career grade role with appointments relevant to experience and qualifications. We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic, confident, self-motivated individual with excellent communication skills. Your main roles will include:

• To take the lead in procuring private sector accommodation for both the Private Sector Leasing and HomeSteps Schemes
• Carrying out HHSRS inspections when required to ensure properties are safe to let and there are no significant Hazards
• If hazards are discovered liaise with the landlords and the Councils Private Sector Housing team , if appropriate to that defects can be addressed
• Arranging, tenancies and or licences by way of negotiation with private sector l andlords and agents.
• Negotiating with private sector landlords with a view to sourcing private rented accommodation for our Home Step scheme.
• Assessment and allocation of customers to suitable properties.
• Arranging timely move on from Bed & Breakfast and temporary accommodation.
• Delivering and arranging support for those living in temporary accommodation provided by Colchester Borough Homes and partner organisations.
• Managing a reactive and changing workload.
• Assessing and identifying individual's needs, to recommend and sign-post appropriate support for customers.
• Working with partner agencies and colleagues in a holistic way to ensure positive outcomes.
Your innovative approach will be matched by a combination of previous customer engagement and support experience and delivery of housing related support, good negotiation skills. You will help to monitor rent accounts, maintain licences /tenancies and provide general advice tenants/licensees in accommodation. To offer a flexible and responsive service that is sensitive to our customer's needs. Liaising with Private Sector Landlords and letting agents with a view to sourcing private rented accommodation for our Private Sector scheme and building relationships with landlords and agents and other partner agencies.

In return, we are offering a competitive salary, including excellent benefits, which includes:
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.5% employer contribution
• Excellent training, development, and progression opportunities
• Annual leave entitlement of 23 days annual leave (increasing to 26 days after 5 years' service), plus bank and public holidays and two extra company holidays during the Christmas period.
• The opportunity to buy up to another 5 days holiday, subject to conditions
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme
• Provision of a smartphone and laptop
• Discounted gym member - corporate membership rate at Leisure World and the Northern Gateway.
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Free Flu Jab
• Agile Working at Colchester Borough Homes means having some flexibility about when, where, and how we work to best meet the needs of our role and service area.
Other employee benefits include payment of a professional subscription, Free yearly eye tests plus a contribution towards glasses for VDU use.