Our Organisation-

Centrally located in the Thames Gateway, Gravesham Borough Council provides a range of services to over 106,000 people and 4,000 businesses.

The Borough of Gravesham, situated in the northwest corner of Kent, covers 25,000 acres of the most varied countryside in southeast England.

Bordered by the River Thames to the north, it is at the heart of Thames Gateway and has a significant role to play in the regeneration of a major government growth area.

Gravesham Borough Council is committed to delivering to the community and working with us means you are part of delivering the level of growth and improvement our community needs and deserves.

The role

If you enjoy working in a challenging, fast-paced environment and have a passion to tackle neglected properties, we have a vacancy for a Housing Improvement Officer.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented officer to strengthen our Private Sector Housing Team.

The role requires you to support and assist colleagues in resolving complex housing cases, through your comprehensive knowledge of private sector housing and property licensing within the local government framework. You will need to have excellent communication skills to motivate colleagues and improve team working.

You will need to be flexible and be able to work both as part of a team and on your own initiative. You will be expected to manage your own caseload and be confident in making decisions and have a problem-solving attitude.

To assist in the delivery of the council’s private sector housing enforcement functions. To deliver housing initiatives that complement the council’s private sector housing enforcement functions and provide solutions to local housing problems.

For more information on the application criteria, please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification Job Specification.

Main responsibilities

Delivery of the Private Sector Housing service functions, which include (but are not exhaustive), private rental disrepair, housing enforcement, HMO Licencing, HMO Management, empty homes, caravan licencing, temporary accommodation, and disabled facility grants.

To assist in the day to day running of the council's private sector housing services including the investigation of complaints, the survey of dwellings, preparation of specifications of work and enforcement proceedings.

You will be responsible for carrying out high standard regulatory work within the Private Rented Sector. In doing so you will be protecting tenants and making the private rented sector a fairer place to operate. You can expect a mix of casework and project work, supporting tenants, as well as working pro-actively to address both common and highly complex problems.

Working in partnership with internal business partners and other external agencies contribute to the achievement of Council’s overall performance objectives, community development, sustainability and development.

Essential qualifications/experience-

We are looking for officer who can demonstrate a high level of recent experience and competencies in the following areas:

• Expert knowledge of the Housing Act 2004 and other housing legislation
• Significant practical experience of serving and enforcing the above
• Significant competency in using the HHSRS rating system and
• Significant practical experience in carrying out housing inspections for both disrepair and property licensing issues
• Full driving licence and use of suitable vehicle for business purposes

Desirable qualifications/experience-

• A degree or similar qualification in a relevant subject, such as environmental health or building surveying.
• Any other qualifications that could be used in this area of Housing.
• Knowledge and experience of compiling evidence and taking cases to both court and the First Tier Tribunal.

In return we offer you:

Holiday entitlement

A generous holiday entitlement, plus paid bank holidays.

Training

In-house and external training including non-qualification, Continued Personal Development (CPD), NVQ and other qualification training.

Employee Assistance Programme

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a free and confidential support service, offering you unlimited access to advice and information as well as coaching and counselling where appropriate. 

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the service is there to help you manage all of life's events and support you through the challenges. Their expert advisers are there to help, whenever you need them. Support on the telephone, online and face to face.

Pensions

A very secure pension scheme which both you and we pay into. More information can be found on the Local Government Pension Scheme website.

Occupational health

An on-site Occupational Health Advisor. We have an occupational health service provided by East Kent Hospitals University Foundation NHS Trust. The service is delivered by a team of health professionals who specialise in occupational medicine and deal with the relationship between your work and your health. Occupational Health also works with us to resolve any issues in the workplace and also to ensure that well-being at work is maintained.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager call Clare Reynolds on 01474 337878

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Gravesham Borough Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.  All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.