Job Description

Job details

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Salary:

14,494 - 19,478 per annum (inclusive of allowances)

Location:

Civic Centre, Gravesend

Contract:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

Part-time

Hours:

18.5 hours per week

Closing Date:

17 August 2025

The Role

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This is an exciting time to join the Housing Service at Gravesham as it embarks on a programme of change, aspiring to provide the best possible service for our tenants. The Neighbourhood Officer role is integral to delivering exceptional frontline services.


Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Do you thrive in a role where every day is different, and every challenge brings an opportunity to create positive change? If so, we want

YOU

to join our amazing housing service!


As a Neighbourhood Officer, you'll work at the heart of our communities, building relationships with tenants, solving problems, and helping our tenants thrive in their homes. No day is the same and the ultimate aim is to ensure neighbourhoods are places tenants are proud to call home, your work will have a meaningful impact every single day.


As a Neighbourhood Officer, you will be responsible for the delivery of excellent housing management, tenant engagement and housing support services to tenants. You will directly manage a caseload and be responsible for tenancy and estate management.

Main responsibilities

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Carrying out Estate and Property inspections to identify and deal with breaches of tenancy conditions and repairs, providing follow-up and enforcement action for matters identified to be dealt with.
Carry out Tenancy Audits to council properties.
Maintain a current knowledge of policy, practice and legislation relating to Housing Neighbourhood Services and contribute towards the department's aims and objectives.
To make recommendations for service improvements and assist in implementing agreed initiatives.
To ensure that best use is made of Information Technology in planning, communicating, executing, and monitoring caseloads.
To ensure that all Gravesham Borough Council policies and procedures that relate to the post are adhered to.
Liaison with external agencies such as Mediation services, Mental Health, Police and partnering social landlords etc.
Investigation of claims for damage against the council
Identifying vulnerable residents, identifying their support needs, liaising with and signposting to appropriate external agencies.
Identifying cases that fall outside the scope of the allocations policy and preparing and presenting reports to the allocations panel.
Preparation of case files for legal action and attendance in court
Carrying out property inspections prior to mutual exchanges and preparing the legal paperwork to affect the assignment .
Participate in annual gas safety inspections in line with the council's procedures.
Arranging any necessary security and safety of property that becomes empty or that has been subject to criminal activity.
To work with the Tenant Participation Team together with tenants and leaseholders to encourage tenant participation in the management of estates, which may include attendance at Residents Association and Tenant's meetings, sometimes out of hours.
Working in partnership with other external agencies and departments of the council to resolve problems that fall beyond housing management powers.
Liaising with residents moving in and out of council owned accommodation including carrying out accompanied viewings and pre termination inspections and updating the council's IT systems
Investigating complaints of nuisance or anti-social behaviour and taking action to resolve problems including referring cases to the Community Safety Unit as per current referral criteria. Interviewing victims and perpetrators and taking witness statements. Maintaining accurate records using the council's housing IT systems.
Undertake repair inspections and monitor caretaking and cleaning standards as required.
Making recommendations for estate/property improvements and ensuring property meets health and safety and fire safety standards
Assist the Neighbourhood Team Leader with reports as required.

Essential qualifications/experience

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Experience with working with the public
Able to communicate confidently and effectively with people at all levels
Able to influence, negotiate and implement practical solutions to problems
Ability to compile reports and deal with written correspondence
Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workloads and work to deadlines
Ability to use computer systems including word processing, spreadsheets or other IT systems for monitoring of work
Able to make decisions balancing the needs of individuals with those of the wider community and the Council's priorities
Ability to work with challenging young people, adults and families
Able to work on own or as part of a team
Ability to think on feet and use sound judgement to resolve complex issues
Knowledge of Housing Law and Practice
Working knowledge of ASB tools and powers, and other relevant legislation
An understanding of the problems causes and effects of anti-social behaviour
Good understanding of race and ethnicity issues
General understanding of day-to-day repairs and maintenance
Motivated and enthusiastic

Working for Gravesham

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We are committed to delivering to the community and working with us means you are part of delivering the level of growth and improvement our community needs and deserves. A range of services have been provided to over 106,000 people and 4,000 businesses.


The Borough of Gravesham, situated in the north west corner of Kent, covers 25,000 acres of the most varied countryside in south east England. Bordered by the River Thames to the north, it is at the heart of Thames Gateway and has a significant role to play in the regeneration of a major government growth area.

Benefits

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A generous holiday entitlement, plus paid bank holidays
Membership to Local Government Pension Scheme
Career development, training opportunities and access to e-learning
Access to eye care vouchers and VDU Glasses
External Occupational Health service
Cycle to Work Scheme
Access to EAP Services 24/7
Free parking
Octopus Electric Vehicles Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Important Information

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Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job description.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

How to apply

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Please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@gravesham.gov.uk by 17 August 2025.


Previous applicants need not apply.


If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.


All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Human Resources Team on 01474 337374.