About Equipment Officer – Permanent – Part Time – 18 hrs p/w
Are you passionate about problem solving and finding solutions for people? The Equipment Officer works within an assistive equipment/aids service for visually impaired people across Berkshire. A proactive role, it covers your own service and working closely with the Berkshire Vision team. We support adults and children with sight loss across the county. The aim is to increase quality of life and independence through assessing their needs and supporting them to identify practical equipment-based solutions to everyday challenges. This is a person‑centred role, helping individuals to find the solution which is right for them.
Salary £15,252 FTE £31,774 Hours Part Time Contract Permanent (recruitment@berkshirevision.org.uk)
Job Description
Job Title - Equipment Officer
Reports To: Head of Service Delivery
Budget Responsibilities: Small grants where available
Purpose of the job
To develop and manage a comprehensive service enabling visually impaired people across Berkshire to access technology and equipment to improve their quality of life.
Description of the job activities
Key areas of responsibility:
* Deliver one to one and small group support to visually impaired people to access equipment including identifying needs and demonstrating equipment
* Monitor and report on the impact of the service
* Build strong working relationships with new and existing equipment providers
* Act as an ambassador for equipment and assistive technology, maintaining a detailed knowledge of products and promoting them internally and externally
Activities and tasks
* Identify the needs of service users and develop the service accordingly
* Carry out one to one appointments to identify service users' needs in relation to equipment and assistive technology, identify solutions and demonstrate appropriate equipment. These appointments can take place in service users' homes, Berkshire Vision's offices, or another suitable community location.
* Hold small group sessions on equipment, both independently and at other Berkshire Vision activities/events as appropriate
* Carry out needs assessment for equipment and assistive technology
* Manage the monitoring and impact evaluation process for the equipment service
* Accurately record appointments carried out, people supported and the outcomes achieved
* Provide management data as required
* Produce impact reports for funders and potential funders of the service when required
* Promote the service, driving participation
* Manage systems for demonstrating, loaning and selling equipment
* Act as the equipment expert, producing briefings/training sessions for staff, volunteers and relevant partners on equipment
* Develop relationships with equipment providers, taking the lead on negotiating contracts/terms of sale
* Independently maintain a comprehensive knowledge of all equipment available in the market
* Work closely with volunteer tech buddy team
Internal and external relationships
* Frequent liaison with service users, suppliers, colleagues and volunteers.
* Collaborates with others in the department/organisation on a regular basis.
Other
* Be responsible for own continuing development, keeping up to date with best practice, policies and procedures.
* Deal with all issues in a professional manner keeping confidences where appropriate and always being mindful of data protection implications.
* Always be an effective representative for the organisation and act in a professional manner conducive to promoting a positive image of the charity.
* Work under office conditions with extensive use of a display screen.
* Working extensively with people with sight loss, suppliers and the public
* Pattern of work: 18 hours over 3‑4 days per week with some evening and weekend working for events and service user appointments for which time off in lieu will be given
* Drive over 5,000 business miles annually, travelling across Berkshire visiting service users.
The above is a general description of the work to be carried out and not an exhaustive list. The role holder is also required to perform all reasonably assigned duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Educated to GCSE in English grade C or above, or equivalent.
* Adult and child safeguarding
* First Aid
Knowledge & Experience
* Experience of working with people with disabilities
* Experience of carrying out assessments of need with vulnerable people
* Experience of working in partnership with professionals
* Experience of meeting KPI's
* Experience of the charity sector
* Experience in the visual impairment field
* Knowledge of the latest developments in assistive equipment for people with disabilities including sight loss, hearing loss and mobility issues
Skills & Abilities
* Strong technical abilities with a passion for the latest developments in equipment
* Excellent written and verbal communications skills
* Able to organise workload to ensure work is completed in an effective and efficient manner
* Ability to converse with others from different backgrounds
* Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc)
* Ability to multi‑task
* Ability to work under pressure
* Ability to support individuals with disabilities
* Able to manage grants and produce reports
Personal Qualities
* Excellent attention to detail
* Approachable
* Reliable
* Self‑motivated
* Good team player
* Integrity and sensitivity to disability issues
* Able to liaise with 3rd parties
* Ability to work autonomously
* Ability to work well under pressure
* Time management
* A positive outlook with ability to motivate others
* A passion for supporting and enhancing the lives of visually impaired people
Other
* Full driving license with regular access to a car (business‑use insurance required) or eligibility for Access to Work for travel
* Flexible approach to working hours
* Ability to successfully pass a DBS check at enhanced level
#J-18808-Ljbffr