Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
The Neighbourhoods & Localities team play a key role in several important areas, such as homelessness prevention work, older person’s housing support and case management of antisocial behaviour work. They do all of this and more, through proactive and strategic approaches that are designed to agree and deliver on local priorities via both internal and external partnerships. The team also offer a comprehensive housing service, managing over 17,000 properties through a team of housing officers, support staff, caretaking staff, concierge and handypersons.
Please note: This is a fixed term contract position until 31/03/2027.
About the role
You will be working as a Neighbourhood Housing Officer within neighbourhoods across the borough of Gateshead proactively managing tenancies, providing early intervention and support to prevent tenancies from failing.
You will be a key point of contact for customers and provide a face-to-face service delivering a range of tenancy management activity including property condition checks, identifying and managing breaches of tenancy and estate management, reporting and tackling environmental issues to ensure neighbourhood are clean, safe and sustainable.
People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council, and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative. You’ll have the scope to work flexibly across the service, giving you plenty of opportunity for a varied, enjoyable and productive day.
What you'll get involved in
* Proactively manage a cross-tenure patch of properties and customer-focused services in line with the council's standards and values.
* Act as the key local contact for tenants, providing support and early intervention to sustain tenancies and maximise income.
* Work with vulnerable tenants, making referrals and liaising with partners to develop and monitor support plans.
* Carry out visits to ensure tenancies are sustained and properties remain in good condition.
* Provide housing advice and conduct home visits to assist with rehousing processes, including approving mutual exchanges and registering transfers.
* Investigate and manage reports of nuisance and anti-social behaviour (ASB) to prevent escalation, taking appropriate action and working with partners for resolution.
* Undertake reviews of fixed-term and introductory tenancies.
* Deliver a responsive estate management service to maintain a clean, safe, and sustainable environment, reporting and addressing environmental issues daily.
* Conduct scheduled inspections to complement daily identification of issues on estates and communal areas.
* Liaise with customers, services, councillors, and partners, occasionally working outside normal hours.
* Support other company services by contacting tenants or gaining access to homes to minimise repair costs and maximise income.
* Promote customer involvement opportunities and carry out consultation exercises on housing management services.
* Manage priorities and achieve key performance targets in line with Council indicators, service standards, and annual appraisal objectives.
* Demonstrate conduct and behaviour aligned with core Council values, promoting cross-service collaboration for excellent customer outcomes.
* Be proactive in health and safety management, complying with legislation and promoting good practice within the working environment.
* Demonstrate a positive, diverse, and inclusive attitude in all interactions with customers, colleagues, and partners.
* Actively participate in service evaluation, development, and continuous improvement, keeping up to date with policies and attending meetings and training.
* Work collaboratively as part of a team, sharing knowledge openly to enhance service delivery and meet objectives.
* Undertake other responsibilities appropriate to the grade of the post
What you'll need to be successful
Knowledge
* Knowledge of housing and social care issues.
* Understanding of equality and diversity within the workplace.
Qualifications
* 5 GCSEs (AC or 94), including Maths and English, or relevant demonstrable experience.
* Evidence of continual professional development and willingness to undertake additional training as required.
Experience
* Experience dealing with potentially difficult situations.
* Experience providing support to vulnerable customers.
* Strong negotiation and communication skills (both verbal and written).
* Proven ability to work effectively in partnership with others.
* Experience managing and prioritising a varied workload.
* Good organisational and time management skills.
* Ability to work under pressure, meeting targets and deadlines.
* Proficient ICT skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
What’s in it for you
* Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
* Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
* Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
* Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
* Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
* Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
* Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
* Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
* Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
* Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. At Gateshead Council we are an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
How to apply
You can apply online using the link below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.