Housing Investigation Officer

The Housing Investigation Officer (HIO) is a customer facing role in Housing and Social Services and is an important function in the assessing of social housing applicants and determining their qualification for social housing supports. The appointee will work extensively with clients, internal functions in housing and other sections within Kerry County Council and with other state agencies such as social workers, homeless services internal and external, Approved Housing bodies, disability representative bodies, etc.

The work of a Housing Investigations Officer requires that employees in the role function in a flexible manner and work effectively as part of a team to deliver required outcomes or outputs. Their duties are varied and can involve assignment to different parts of the organisation, or different areas of work as services require.

SALARY:

€52,761 - €63,109 - with annual increments payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc.

Offers of appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of this scale.

Where the person being appointed is a serving local authority employee, normal starting pay rules will apply.

ANNUAL LEAVE: 30 days per annum

HOURS OF WORK:

While the normal working week will constitute 35 hours, the appointee will be required to work the hours directed by the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, which will include hours outside of the normal working day associated with the responsibilities and requirements of the post.

A flexible working hours system is in operation.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key duties may include, but are not be limited to:-

• interviewing applicants for housing supports

• compiling appropriate reports

• compiling the Housing Priority List in line with our Social Housing Allocation Scheme

• recommending Housing Allocations for both Choice Based Letting Properties and those properties allocated outside of the CBL process.

• liaising and working effectively with various relevant statutory bodies

• associated administrative duties as assigned from time to time

• use of information technology and relevant computer software packages

• liaising and working effectively with Approved Housing bodies on various schemes

• working with and supporting the work of the Homeless Information Centre

• acting as primary liaison for specific duties assigned in the course of the job

• assessing applicants in relation to approved grant schemes such as Housing Aid for Older People grant (HOP), Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme (MAG) and Housing Adaptation Grant for people with a Disability (HGD)

In addition, appointees will be required to: -

 comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times

 ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders

 participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade

 undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time

 deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on panels from which vacancies for Assistant Staff Officer may be filled.

Panel A (Confined to the Local Authority Sector)

This panel will comprise of successful candidates from within the Local Authority Sector, i.e. candidates who are serving employees of a Local Authority or Regional Assembly.

Panel B (Open)

This panel will comprise of all successful candidates in order of merit and may include candidates serving in a Local Authority, Regional Assembly and external candidates.

Panel C (Confined to Kerry County Council)

This panel will comprise of successful candidates who are serving employees of Kerry County Council.

CHARACTER:

Each candidate must be of good character.

HEALTH:

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

CITIZENSHIP:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), or

The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

b) a citizen of the United Kingdom (UK), or

c) a citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons, or

d) a non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa, or

e) a person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa, or

f) a non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE, ETC.:

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

PANEL A

(i) be a serving employee in a local authority or regional assembly and

(ii) have at least two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or an analogous post

PANEL B

(i) (a) have obtained at least Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level, in five subjects (or four subjects 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

PANEL C

(i) be a serving employee of Kerry County Council, and

(ii) have at least two years’ satisfactory experience in a post of Clerical Officer or an analogous post

The ideal candidate shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and experience of local authority Housing functions

• have experience of working with community/voluntary groups

• possess excellent interpersonal and communications skills

• be able to show an ability to work on their own initiative and resolve issues as they arise

• be willing to work flexible hours

• have proven negotiating skills

• be a proven team worker

Applicants must by the date of any appointment possess a current full Category B Driving Licence or equivalent in the E.U. Model Driving Licence.

FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION

Following the closing date, Kerry County Council will examine all applications having regard to the eligibility criteria as set out above to determine validity of applications in the context of the different panels identified and overall suitability having regard to the essential skills required for the position. Depending on the number of applications received, a shortlisting exercise may be carried out which may involve a desktop exercise based on information supplied on the application form and having regard to experience indicating suitability for the role of Housing Investigations Officer. It is therefore in candidate’s own interests to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications, experience and overall suitability for the position on their application form.

Where it is considered, by reason of the number and standard of applications received, that it would be reasonable not to progress all candidates to interview, only persons likely to attain a standard sufficient for selection and recommendation for appointment shall be called for interview. The number of candidates invited to attend for interview (either short listing or final) will be determined having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria set out above, candidates must be able to demonstrate that they possess the following knowledge, experience, skills and competencies. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by the candidates.

Delivering Results

• Translate the business or team plan into clear priorities and actions for their area of responsibility

• Plan work and allocation of staff and other resources effectively

• Implement high quality service and customer care standards

• Make decisions in a timely and well-informed manner

Performance Management

• Lead and develop the team to achieve corporate objectives

• Effectively manage performance

Communicating Effectively

• Have effective verbal and written communication skills

Personal Effectiveness

• Take initiative and be open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities

• Manage time and workload effectively

• Maintain a positive and constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of local government, and in particular Housing services provided by local authorities

• Knowledge of current local government issues, priorities, concerns and future direction

• Understanding of the role of Housing Investigations Officer

• Relevant administrative experience at a sufficiently high level

• Experience of managing and supervising staff, including managing performance

• Experience of compiling, preparing and presenting reports, presentations, correspondence, etc.

• Effective financial and resource management skills

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems

INTERVIEW

Candidates invited to participate in the interview process will be expected to demonstrate the key competencies outlined above and will be assessed and marked on the basis how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Kerry County Council will not be responsible for any expense, including travelling expenses, which candidates may incur in connection with their candidature. Candidates will be asked for details of any special requirements which they may have in attending for interview.

Candidates invited to attend for interview may be asked, at any stage of the recruitment process, to supply further documentation in relation to their academic qualifications, employment history, etc. Any offer of employment will be subject to verification of information provided on the application form, pre-employment medical examination, reference checks, and Garda vetting if appropriate. An applicant who is found to be ineligible at any stage of the competition will not be further considered. Provision of inaccurate, untrue or misleading information will result in disqualification from the competition, withdrawal of employment offered, or dismissal.

Any attempt by a candidate himself or herself or by any person(s) acting at the candidate’s instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour, any member of the staff of Kerry County Council or person nominated by Kerry County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.