Private Sector Options Officer

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In order to apply for this vacancy please use the Apply Online link below. No CVs or applications from Agencies accepted.

Private Sector Options Officer

Post No: TBC

Salary: Starting from £31,537 to £36,363 p.a.

Grade: Grade 5

Hours: 37 hours per week

Place of work: Worthing Town Hall

Closing date: 27th August 2025

Interviews: TBC

Are you passionate about preventing homelessness and increasing access to accommodation in the private rented sector for households in housing need?

We are looking for a dedicated Private Sector Options Officer to join our team. In this vital role, you will support the Private Sector Options Manager in effectively managing the lifecycle of tenancies, ensuring a person-centred, preventative approach. This includes mediation with private landlords and tenants, and taking enforcement action where required.

This is a challenging but highly rewarding position where you will have day-to-day accountability for the management of Opening Doors and Private Sector Leased tenancies across the property portfolio. You will be responsible for all key areas of housing management, arrears recovery, ASB management, letting void properties, and all aspects of property and tenancy management. You will also identify and make recommendations for improvements to ensure the Council's housing offer remains competitive.

We provide tailored training to develop your skills, whether you're new to the role or an experienced professional.

About the role:

Tenancy Management & Homelessness Prevention: Effectively manage the lifecycle of a tenancy, ensuring a person-centred, preventative approach. This will include mediation with private landlords and tenants, identifying breaches, and taking enforcement and legal action where required. Work with households and in partnership with other agencies, landlords, private and public sector services to identify those at risk of homelessness early and find innovative lasting solutions to prevent homelessness and meet housing need.

Property Portfolio Management: Day-to-day accountability for the management of Opening Doors and Private Sector Leased tenancies across the property portfolio, including arrears recovery, ASB management, and letting void properties. Landlord Engagement: Engage with and establish strong partnerships with private sector landlords and their agents to support them in achieving high standards of customer care and meeting their statutory obligations. Develop positive relationships with private sector landlords to provide specialist one-to-one support and advice.

Financial & Housing Solutions: Analyse income and expenditure data and complete thorough financial assessments of clients' circumstances to establish available options to access private rented sector accommodation. Support households in temporary accommodation to find suitable permanent housing by developing creative solutions

What we're looking for – your behaviours will be key:

We are seeking an individual who embodies our core principles of resilience, adaptability, and participation. You will be someone who:

• Listens actively and truly understands the needs of our customers and partners.
• Communicates clearly and confidently, conveying key information effectively to diverse audiences, both in writing and verbally.
• Says what they think and does what they say, demonstrating honesty and openness in all interactions.
• Is inclusive and kind, valuing the unique strengths of people from all backgrounds and fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels part of the team.
• Is ambitious, bringing passion for delivering a high-quality service and continuously seeking ways to improve outcomes for our residents.
• Thinks and acts beyond themselves and their service, embracing collaboration and partnership to deliver Our Plan.
• Is resilient, maintaining a positive attitude, effectively prioritising workload, and supporting their own wellbeing and that of colleagues.
• Is adaptive, with an active interest in learning and development, experimenting with new ways of working, and anticipating new challenges to embrace change.
• Builds excellent relationships with internal and external partners, negotiating successfully and influencing positive outcomes.
• Reaches sound judgements through careful and systematic evaluation of facts.

If you are ready to bring your excellent skills and positive behaviours to a role where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

The post holder will be subject to a Standard DBS check.

At Adur & Worthing, we are committed to supporting care leavers, in accordance with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. To that end, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone meeting the essential criteria of the role they are applying for. In order to be considered for this, you will need to be a care leaver under the age of 25 at the time of application. Please confirm that you are a care leaver within your cover letter.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of applicants declaring a disability, that meet the essential criteria for this position, will be offered an interview.

Staff are our most important asset and we therefore have a benefit package which reflects our continuing commitment to our employees. This includes:

• Generous leave entitlement; a minimum of 26 days + Bank Holiday entitlement
• Local Government Pension
• Training & development
• Occupational Health
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee resource groups/networks
• Buddy Support Programme
• Flexible working options

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Staff work in a supportive and safe environment, recognising their responsibility to value and respect each other’s contributions. Standards of conduct must be of the highest level to ensure that no-one is harassed, bullied or victimised. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, staff engagement forums and are keen to hear from applicants from a variety of different backgrounds.