Housing Assessment/Tenant Liaison Officer

The Competition

The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel for Cavan County Council from which full-time, permanent and fixed-term contract posts may be filled at Housing Assessment/Tenant Liaison Officer Grade.

Post:

The Housing Assessment/Tenant Liaison Officer will have an integral and substantial role in assessing and determining the accommodation need of applicants for social housing support together with the active and positive management its tenant relations/engagement. It will include dealing with anti-social behaviour and the implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and the development and working with Resident Groups in Council Estates.

The post holder will be expected to have a close working relationship with existing council staff of all sections and will have the ability and experience to liaise and work effectively with other statutory and voluntary agencies.

Qualifications For The Post

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination carried out by the Council’s Occupational Medical advisor prior to appointment.

Education, Training, Experience:

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

·       (i)(a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, and

(b) have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in Higher Level (or Honours) papers in three subjects in that examination (or two subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, or

(ii) have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, or

(iii) hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard.

·       A qualification in community development, social housing, estate management or other relevant discipline is desirable, but not essential

·       Possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Category B) and have access to his/her own vehicle

DETAILS AND PARTICULARS

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will form part of the Housing Services team and will report to the Administrative Officer or other appropriate supervisor/line manager. The post holder will be based in the Housing Department (or any other premises as assigned in use by the Council) and will be required to work 35 hours per week. Daily working hours may vary and may include post-normal office hours.

Social Housing Supports

In respect of an applicant for social housing support or a transfer to another dwelling to undertake the following:

·       To provide support to team members in the day-to-day issues arising out of application, including task and duties scheduling, prioritising work together with monitoring progress

·       To invite each applicant for interview and manage the appointments process

·       To determine eligibility in accordance with the legislative framework

·       To assess the households need

·       To classify the nature of the need

·       To decide the most appropriate form of social housing support applicable

·       To prepare an assessment report recommendation identifying the housing support suitable to meet the household needs and the points to be awarded for approval of the Administrative Officer

·       To carry out an annual review of the household needs or when notified of a change in circumstances

·       To provide input into the recommendations for allocation of social housing

·       To update the records on the Council’s systems as required, keep necessary records, and compile relevant statistics

·       To liaise with external agencies as required i.e., HSE, Gardaí, AHBs etc.

·       To carry out ad hoc investigations/prepare various reports as requested by Administrative Officer or other appropriate Supervisor/Line Manager

·       Provide advice to applicants as necessary

Tenancies

·       Deliver pre tenancy training for all new tenancies created by the Council to include advice on their responsibilities viz-a-viz the Council’s responsibilities in relation to repairs, keeping of pets, matters relating to anti-social behaviour and the various rental payment options available and so on.

·       To make the necessary arrangements to have Tenancy Agreements signed and keys handed out to the new tenant.

·       Liaise with other statutory service providers and voluntary agencies with regard to specific circumstances and/or individual needs of tenants, as appropriate e.g. HSE, Tusla, Education Authorities, An Garda Siochana, Probation and Welfare Services, MABS.

·       To investigate reports of complaints of anti-social behaviour in line with the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy or other breaches of tenancy in council dwellings including interviewing tenants, complainants, and witnesses.

·       Prepare and serve warning letters, all notices, and instructions to Council legal advisor to commence legal proceedings and when necessary, attend in court to give evidence as required.

·       Attend evictions and make the arrangements with other council staff for securing the dwelling.

·       To inspect council houses as required to ensure that tenants are compliant with the terms of their Tenancy Agreement, prepare reports etc. and take the necessary action.

·       To liaise with the technical staff and assist the operations/enforcement section of Council in the Control of Dogs, Waste and Litter Management issues and/or other section where issue arise pertaining to tenants.

·       To investigate the illegal occupancy of Council houses and as appropriate follow the legal procedures required up to and including attending court to give evidence as required.

Estate Management

·       To promote tenant engagement and facilitate the establishment of resident’s associations where required or support the activities of existing residents’ groups in the estate

·       Actively deal with anti-social behavioural issues in line with the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy

·       To mediate and liaise, where possible, on tenant and resident conflicts and seek to resolve disputes Develop and co-ordinate communication on cases and anti-social behaviour prevention with the An Gardaí Siochana, HSE, Túsla, other agencies and residents

·       To engage with all residents at neighbour level in building local capacity and to empower neighbourhood communities to take the lead in building and promoting their local community

·       Develop links between the residents with the council services to promote good estate management eg social inclusion units, waste management section etc.

Other

·       Maintain adequate records in accordance with the requirements of GDPR and update information systems as required

·       Prepare and deliver reports for Administrative Officer or other appropriate Supervisor/Officer as requested.

·       Will be required to hold a current Safe Pass Card.

·       Will ensure a safe environment and implement all the Council’s health and safety requirements including using a lone worker device during working hours

·       Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the local authority.

Probation

The successful candidate shall be required to be on probation for an initial period, as determined by the Council. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Council.

Salary

Remuneration will be at the Staff Officer Scale of the national wage scales. The present minimum scale is €51,210 increasing to €61,252 per annum (including LSIs) with annual increments subject to satisfactory performance via PMDS. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Garda Vetting/Child Protection

Successful candidates will be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum.

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement from public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Working Hours

The post entails a wide range of duties which require maximum flexibility and will be based on a 35 hour week, involving regular evening and weekend attendance where necessary. The Council reserves the right to alter the hours of work from time to time.

Pension:

The Local Government Superannuation Scheme applies.