Housing Liaison Officer

THE COMPETITION:

Galway County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Housing Liaison Officer. The purpose of this recruitment campaign is to form a panel from which permanent and/or temporary positions may be filled.

THE ROLE:

The holder of the post will support the facilitation, implementation, and promotion of Galway County Council’s Housing Department policies and objectives. The role places particular emphasis on tenant support and engagement, estate management and the prevention and management of anti-social behaviour. Duties will be assigned as required to meet the operational needs of the department.

The position involves direct liaison with tenants, social housing applicants, residents’ associations, and community groups, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills. The successful candidate will also work closely with staff across all sections of the Council and collaborate effectively with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies to support tenants and enhance community wellbeing.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

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.

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their own expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

CITIZENSHIP:

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

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or

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, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, ETC:

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

• Have a good standard of general education

• Satisfactory knowledge and/or experience of working with community groups and/or resident’s associations

• Desirable, though not essential, a third level degree in community development, social housing or similar

• Good interpersonal, communication, organisational and negotiating skills

• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team where necessary

• A satisfactory knowledge of the background to and policies governing the provision of social housing

• Awareness/understanding of issues regarding estate management

• Ability to work in direct contact with a diverse range of agencies/bodies

Candidates must hold a clean, current, Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own car.

Please note successful candidate may be assigned to any Municipal District area

Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Housing Liaison Officer will perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Galway County Council in the area of management of the Council’s housing stock, tenancy liaison, traveller liaison, development of estate management, managing anti-social behaviour and encouraging full participation by residents in the care and maintenance of the estates.

The Housing Liaison Officer will report to the Senior Executive Officer, Housing or any other officer as designated by the Chief Executive.

Such duties include:

All Estate Management duties as assigned by the Senior Executive Officer, Housing.

Tenancy sustainment, to include inter-agency approach where necessary.

Enforcement of Tenancy Agreements including anti-social behaviour and household inspections.

Preparation of evidence for court proceedings and attendance at court to give evidence as required.

Investigating and making recommendations in relation to the transfer of needs of tenants.

Investigating illegal occupancy of local authority houses in conjunction with appropriate Housing personnel

Any duties in relation to Anti-Social Behaviour Legislation as assigned by the Senior Executive Officer

Mediating in residents’ conflicts and other related issues

Shortlisting social housing applicants for the allocation of social houses and presenting them to the Allocations Committee.

Assisting in the preparation of statutory housing needs assessment and/or updating of same as required

Assisting in the implementation of Galway County Council’s Homeless Strategy

Assisting with the implementation of Galway County Council’s policy in relation to Traveller Accommodation.

Undergoing training as and when required

Ensure the availability of up-to-date statistics and preparation of reports for housing management.

Report on Disabled Persons Grants and Essential Repair Grants where further information is required in hardship or exceptional cases

Use of new technology as required

Duties associated with Private Rented Tenancies Board.

Carrying out such other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned by the local authority from time to time

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate for this position should possess the following competencies. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence of such competencies within their application form and at interview. Any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates on their application form.

Candidates must achieve a minimum 50% of the total marks available in each of the competencies to qualify for inclusion on a panel.

Management and Change

Strategic Ability

• Demonstrates the ability to be effective in translating the mission and vision into operational plans and outputs.

Networking and Representing

• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain positive and beneficial relationships with relevant interests.

• Demonstrates the ability to sustain a positive image and profile of the local authority.

Delivering Results

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Demonstrates the ability to act decisively and make timely, informed and effective decisions.

Operational Planning

• Demonstrates the ability to contribute to operational plans and develop team plans in line with priorities and actions for their area of operation, having regard to corporate goals, operational objectives and available resources.

• Demonstrates the ability to establish high quality service and customer care standards.

Performance through People:

Managing Performance

• Demonstrates the ability to effectively manage performance.

• Demonstrates the ability to build and lead a positive, diverse and productive section/unit or team effectively

• Demonstrates the ability to empower and encourage people to deliver their part of the operational plan.

Communicating Effectively

• Demonstrates the ability to recognise the value of and requirement to communicate effectively

• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills.

Personal Effectiveness

Personal Motivation, Initiative and Achievement

• Is enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and obstacles.

• Remains calm under pressure and has the ability to manage the delivery of several tasks/projects concurrently.

• Manages their time effectively, focusing on essential tasks and responsibilities.

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Keeps up with current and emerging developments, trends and best practice in this area.

Integrity

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering an effective Public Service.

Resilience and Personal Wellbeing

• Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence.

• Operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge & understanding of the structure and functions of local government

• Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues, future trends and strategic direction of local government

• Understanding of the role of a Housing Liaison Officer.

• Understanding key challenges facing the local government sector and Galway County Council.

• Knowledge and experience of operating ICT systems.

DETAILS AND PARTICULARS

PROBATION:

Where a person is appointed to Galway County Council, the following provisions shall apply –

a) there shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position on probation.

b) such period shall be one year, but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period;

c) such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory.

d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts.

e) there will be assessments during the probationary period

REMUNERATION:

Entry to the scale shall be determined having regard to Departmental Circulars. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

€57,895 - €70,730 per year

WORKING HOURS:

35 Hours per week

ANNUAL LEAVE:

30 Days per annum

RESIDENCE:

The person holding the office must reside in, or at an address convenient to the Local Authority, as approved by the Chief Executive.

GARDA VETTING:

Garda vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment.

OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT:

The position is whole-time, and the officer may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.