Job Introduction
We're looking for someone with a background in housing and/or homelessness to join us as an Officer in the Supply and Acquisitions Team. This is a fixed term role specialising in working exclusively with rough sleepers across Milton Keynes to assist them in securing long term accommodation within the private rented sector.
You'll be responsible for working closely with landlords, procuring and inspecting properties within the private sector to ensure they meet the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and are suitable and affordable. This role will work with a wide range of stakeholders including our rough sleeper’s team, housing solutions colleagues and landlords.
It's a great time to join the team as we're launching some new initiatives and are working with private landlords to grow our property portfolio. Daily tasks in the Supply and Acquisitions team, include completing property visits, negotiating with landlords and checking property conditions.
This role is pivotal in managing and procuring properties for Milton Keynes City Council so an understanding of tenancy legislation and management, homelessness and The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSR) is beneficial, however full training will be provided.
Regular travel to property and site will be required, so a valid UK licence and access to a car is desirable. We offer the ability to work from home and in the office with a full range of IT products that allow you to do so effectively.
The attached job role has further information, however If you would like any additional information or to have an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Danny Hassall on danny.hassall@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. We offer an excellent benefits package including an enhanced pension, generous holiday allowance starting at 28 days as well as a great range of training and development opportunities to help you in your career. Colleagues may be site-based or home-based, depending on the needs of the role and their own preference.
Main Responsibility
- Complete property inspections to HHSRS standards and inspect units procured by MKCC.
- Work with Partners and other city council departments to eliminate rough sleeping in Milton Keynes.
- Achieve targets to procure properties in the private rented sector for the city council to use for homelessness prevention or discharging a housing duty and reducing the use of temporary accommodation.
- Identify cost effective opportunities to acquire accommodation in the private rented sector, considering the cost to the city council, welfare benefit legislation and the private sector rental market.
- Provide advice and guidance to customers accessing other housing solutions such as sheltered housing schemes and relocation services.
The Ideal Candidate
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You'll be an excellent communicator and will thrive in a fast-paced environment where you will need to manage working to tight deadlines. If you're good at using your initiative and are a great problem solver, we want to hear from you.
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Our service is customer centric, and you must have demonstrable experience of building strong relationships with customers and stakeholders and to be able to communicate at all levels.
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As a pressurised area of business, you will be required to manage several different tasks each day and be able to effectively prioritise work quickly and have excellent time management and written skills.
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You will need to be highly adaptable, approachable and be able to build relationships quickly, providing an empathetic and non-judgmental service to customers.
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You will need excellent IT skills and a broad knowledge and understanding of the service area including legislation, systems, welfare benefits and policies.
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Experience of utilising HHSRS.
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A thorough understanding of current issues affecting social housing, private housing provision and property procurement.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent pension scheme widely regarded as one of the best available.
- 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
