Housing Standards Officer / Senior Housing Standards Officer

We are looking for a motivated and knowledgeable Housing Standards Officer or Senior Housing Standards Officer to help improve housing conditions across the private rented sector. This is an important frontline role, working closely with colleagues in Housing Options and Environmental Health to protect residents, raise standards, support compliance and take robust enforcement action where required. The successful candidate will investigate housing standards concerns, undertake property inspections, assess hazards using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, support HMO licensing and regulation, and use a range of housing and public health legislation to secure improvements for residents. At Senior Officer level, you will also provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues and support the development of policies, procedures and service improvements. What you will be doing

• Driving up standards in the private rented sector through proactive inspections, advice, investigation and enforcement.
• Responding to service requests and complaints relating to housing conditions, HMOs, public health matters and related housing standards issues.
• Carrying out HHSRS inspections and ensuring serious hazards are addressed in a timely and proportionate way.
• Preparing warning letters, statutory notices, schedules of work, evidence, statements and case files for enforcement action where needed.
• Working with tenants, landlords, letting agents, partner agencies and internal colleagues to secure practical and sustainable improvements.
• Supporting HMO licensing, compliance monitoring and associated enforcement activity.
• Maintaining accurate records, meeting performance targets and contributing to service development.
• For Senior Officer appointments, providing technical expertise, mentoring support and specialist advice to team members.
  
  We are seeking someone who is confident, organised and committed to improving housing standards and outcomes for residents. You will be able to manage a varied caseload, communicate clearly with a wide range of people, and make balanced, evidence-based decisions. You will need to be comfortable working independently, dealing with challenging situations professionally, and using enforcement powers proportionately when informal resolution is not appropriate.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area, such as housing, environmental health or a related discipline.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear reports, notices and correspondence.
• Strong customer care and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work constructively with residents, landlords and partner organisations.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Sound judgement and the ability to make rational decisions based on available evidence.
• Good IT skills and confidence maintaining accurate case records.
• Knowledge of housing standards legislation, HHSRS, HMO regulation and associated enforcement processes, appropriate to the grade applied for.
• Experience of housing standards, environmental health, regulatory enforcement or a related field is particularly important for appointments at M2 and Senior Officer level.
• For Senior Officer appointments, substantial relevant experience, strong technical competence and the ability to provide expert advice to colleagues will be required., You will bring enthusiasm for housing standards and environmental health, a commitment to high-quality public service, and a practical approach to solving problems. You will understand the importance of safe, healthy and well-managed homes and be motivated by the opportunity to make a positive difference to residents' health, wellbeing and quality of life.
We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the required skills and experience, or the potential to develop into the role at the appropriate grade. We are committed to equality of opportunity and will make reasonable adjustments for applicants who need them. This post is identified as a hybrid post supporting both office and home working in line with Spelthorne Borough Council's policy. The post holder will be required to attend the office in line with a rota and any service requirements. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for customer facing posts. These posts fall within the scope of the Code of Practice on English language requirement for public sector workers. The Council, therefore, has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. If you have any queries or would like to discuss this further, please contact Human Resources. Please note as part of the employment checks this post will be subject to a Basic Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note that as part of the employment checks, this post has an essential car user allowance attached to it. A valid driving licence, and access to a vehicle insured for business use will be required.

Spelthorne Borough Council use the Microsoft Authenticator app as a secure way of accessing our network. Successful candidates will be required to use their own mobile device to download and use Authenticator. In return, we can offer excellent conditions of service with a benefits' package that includes flexible working hours, pension scheme and at least 23 days' paid leave per year (pro rata for part time). Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)