Specialist level 2 (Housing Standards)

Specialist level 2 (Housing Standards)

Permanent, Full-time (37 hours per week), Flexi-time scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme

Salary scale grade J £33,782 - £36,922

Are you motivated to work for an ambitious Organisation, here to empower and inspire our communities to thrive?

Here’s some information about us

We are here to empower and inspire our communities to thrive.  Every staff member plays a part in our success and achievement through challenging what we do, how we do it and how we can do it better. Ideas are continuously encouraged, new ways of working are trialled and we apply learning through experience. Through our ‘one team’ approach, we work in an agile way to empower our staff to be able to make decisions that place our customers at the heart of what we do.

We are delivering our innovative and forward thinking Customer Connect Programme which is transforming the way we deliver services by maximising digital technology and putting customers at the heart of everything we do. The programme is improving services, enabling valued customers to do business with us in a simpler way. Our new operating model will see traditional roles working very differently. Continued development of our people is central to our success.

We are proud of South Lakeland District and we serve communities across a rural area that includes two national parks, with the majority of the stunning Lake District National Park in our district, as well as western parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. With friendly communities, low crime rate, cultural attractions and excellent motorway and West Coast Mainline links to the North West, South Lakeland rightly promotes itself as the ‘best place to live, work and explore.’

We Are South Lakeland.

Our small team is responsible for keeping our residents safe and independent in their homes by way of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and a Handyperson Scheme. Additionally we drive improvement of housing standards through; HMO licencing, legislation such as the Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016, housing standards enforcement, MEES, LA ECO flex, Green Homes Grants.  

This Housing Standards Specialist role will provide expert support to our HMO and Housing Standards Specialists and Case Managers in carrying out our statutory duties within the district. This post will also be responsible for the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants, and our Handyperson Scheme, supported by Case Managers and a Housing Surveyor Specialist. The role will involve the development, monitoring and implementation of relevant council strategies and policies.

What we are looking for in you

You will passionately live and breathe our purpose of ‘empowering and inspiring our communities to thrive’. You will have excellent communications skills working closely and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, such as; Occupational Therapist, Fire Service, landlords, contractors, customers and their families.

Additionally you will have;

• Knowledge and experience of practical application of relevant legislation in relation to Housing Standards and HMOs including HHSRS, licencing and enforcement action
• Great customer focus and understanding the needs of vulnerable clients including; older people, children and their families
• Experience of DFG and disabled adaptations would be an advantage
• Responsibility in managing several complex cases from inception to delivery and completion.

In addition you will:

• Have relevant qualifications; CIEH or equivalent degree
• HNC/HND in building qualification desirable but not essential
• Knowledge of current planning and building regs an advantage
• Work flexibly across the council where service demands
• Develop and maintain procedures, keep accurate records,  use IT and software such as Integra, Flare case management system.  Microsoft Word/ Excel / Outlook.

What we offer

• Being part of an innovative, forward thinking, supportive and solutions focused team
• Smart working – Working in a ways that gets the best outcomes 
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Generous Annual Leave Entitlement (23 days holiday per annum + Bank Holidays (raising to 28 days after 5 years service))
• Flexi time – being able to accrue up to 13 additional flexi days + 5 additional banked flexi days per annum
• An attractive pension scheme

Equality of opportunity

We are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and identities including from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as these groups are under-represented at SLDC, particularly at senior level. As part of our commitment to employing disabled people, all disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirement for vacancies will be guaranteed an interview.

Would you like to join us, share and develop the experience and above all, make a difference…?

For further information including the Role Profile and details of how to apply, please visit us at https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/your-council/job-vacancies/

To accompany your application, please upload a CV summarising your employment history, qualifications and relevant experience. Please note, we are unable to accept CVs alone for job vacancies.

For an informal discussion about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Amanda Pharaoh Housing Strategy and Delivery Specialist, in the first instance by e mail – amanda.pharaoh@southlakeland.gov.uk

Candidates that are shortlisted for interview will be informed by email.

Closing date for application:  07 February 2022

Interviews will be held:  Week commencing 21 February 2022