Company Description
YMCA Essex
Role Description
The vacancy
The Housing Officer role is 37.5 hours a week, working shifts between 8am and 8pm Monday-Friday which you will share with two other staff members on an 8-4, 10-6 or 12-8 rota pattern.
The role is based in Colchester.
Your time will be spent working with residents (aged towards independent living by assisting them to claim and maintain benefits, move into work, education or volunteering, learn about successful budgeting, to eat healthily and keep themselves safe and healthy both physically and mentally. You will also interview prospective residents, carry out room checks, assist with our food distribution scheme, collect payments and arrears, attend appointments with the young people as and when necessary, take an active role in resident engagement and support the management team.
Who we are and what we do
YMCA Essex has a 44 room, supported housing unit on Magdalen Street in Colchester. We house young people aged 16-25, supporting them towards independent living and a well rounded life. We encourage them into work, education or training and to be able to maintain a tenancy and look after themselves when they leave YMCA. Residents can live at the YMCA for a two-year period after which time they move onto independent living.
You
You have experience of working in supported or general needs housing, wellbeing planning, risk assessments, working with young people and a great knowledge of welfare benefits, grants and other sources of income available.
You have housing management, rent accounting and tenancy sustainment expertise as well as experience of dealing with anti-social behaviour and resident engagement.
Have an active care and concern for the community, work in an inclusive way, welcoming the diverse needs of our young residents.
You are tolerant, understanding and non-judgemental. You have an interest in the needs of young people and a thirst to support them towards being the best they can possibly be.
Your IT skills are current with a good understanding of Microsoft packages and Sharepoint and you have an excellent level of education.
You are experienced in working in and handling busy situations. You are flexible and adaptable in regard to working hours and are able to take part in an on-call rota evening and weekend rota.
You have a driving licence and car or can get to Magdalen Street at any time of day or night (if on call) within 30 minutes.
As a great communicator you are able to demonstrate an empathetic and person centred approach, problem solve on a daily basis, work with minimal supervision and with discretion and integrity whilst respecting confidentiality.
Closing date Monday 2 March 2026. This job may be paused or closed prior to that if sufficient suitable applications are received.
How to apply
In first instance please send a CV. Suitable applicants will be invited to complete an application form.
Please visit our website at YMCA Essex/Get Involved/Working for us to view the job description and person specification.
Salary £ including on-call allowance.
WE ARE UNABLE TO OFFER SPONSORSHIP AT THIS TIME
Job Types: Full-time, permanent.
Application deadline: 02/03/2026