SUPPORTING INFORMATION FOR THE POST OF HOUSING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER May 2015 ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC PROTECTION DIVISION HOUSING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER £25,440 - £27,123 per annum This is a new post within the Environmental Health Division which will support the corporate drive to improve our private sector housing stock, particularly in relation to energy efficiency and targeted enforcement projects, in conjunction with our Sustainability Team. The post holder will be one of two Housing Enforcement posts within Environmental Health. While the main focus of the role will be HHSRS, there will also be opportunities to develop enforcement experience with a range of nuisance and public health tools. Responsible for housing investigations and enforcing housing standards over a wide geographical area, a full current driving licence and flexible approach is essential. The post holder must be a good team worker, self-motivated, be able to prioritise your workload and work with competing deadlines whilst maintaining quality output, and be committed to our customer orientated approach. You will need good customer care skills, including tact, diplomacy and the ability to listen. To discuss the post in more detail contact Janet Williams, Environmental Health Manager on 01529 414155 ext 28205 For further information regarding the above we encourage you to refer to our website www.n-kesteven.gov.uk. Closing date: 3 July 2015 Interviews for the post will be held on: 22 July 2015 Dear Applicant, Vacant Post: Housing Enforcement Officer Thank you for your interest in the above post. The post will be based in the Environmental Health Division and will report to the Environmental Protection Team Leader. I enclose an application pack, which includes: application form; job description and person specification. Please ensure that you complete all sections of the application form fully. CVs are not accepted. When filling in your application form, please study the person specification carefully. If you do not demonstrate on the form that you fulfil the essential criteria for the position, you are unlikely to be successful in your application. The closing date for applications is 3 July 2015. Interviews will be held on 22 July 2015. Yours faithfully, Beverley Gresswell HR Assistant JOB DESCRIPTION 1. DIRECTORATE: Corporate Director 2. DIVISION: Environment and Public Protection 3. POST TITLE: Housing Enforcement Officer (EP Team) 4. POST NO: 5. POST GRADE: Grade 9 6. ALLOWANCES: Professional Subscription Essential User Car Allowance Private Medical Insurance 7. JOB PURPOSE To undertake Housing Enforcement Officer and related duties over the entire district. 8. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  Gather evidence, investigate, make judgement and take enforcement action where appropriate on complaints of dangerous, substandard or unsatisfactory housing, utilising the following tools:     Housing Act 2004 Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part III Building Act 1984 Prevention of damage by Pests Act 1949 And other housing enforcement related legislation.  Carry out comprehensive property surveys having regard to relevant housing standards and assess the need for building work to address poor housing and home visits to provide advice. Prepare preliminary costs and schedules of work.  Liaise with other Departments or agencies as appropriate to request support for vulnerable people.  The gathering of evidence to support the above investigations, including the taking and writing of statements, the taking of contemporaneous notes and photographs all in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the Regulatory Investigatory Powers Act 2000.  To make judgments as to the existence of breaches of legislative requirements, use of scientific and technical equipment, the informal seeking of compliance, carrying out of interviews under caution in accordance with PACE, the preparation and service of formal notices, organising works in default and recovering costs, the preparation of case files to submit to the Council’s Solicitor, and the attendance at Court or housing tribunal as required.  Identify and engage with owners of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) to ensure all relevant legislation is complied with and properties requiring licensing are processed in accordance with the legislation.  To inspect the District's current Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and new HMO's as they arise. To prepare inspection reports in conjunction with the Fire Authority and to take any enforcement action as may be required.  To maintain databases and statistical returns where necessary.  Liaise and assist with other enforcement agencies and/or other departments at NKDC. Investigate on their behalf where required and share intelligence information.  Liaise and work with other Departments on projects related to the identification, assessment and promotion of energy efficiency measures and incentives, to support informal compliance with legislative standards in this area. To secure these standards through formal enforcement action where necessary.  To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, and to provide advice to colleagues, members, the public, businesses, and other agencies, on the implications of legislation.  To use and keep up to date with the operation of the Unit's Quality Assurance System and to audit processes and procedures within the Environment and Public Protection Division in accordance with ISO 9000 or relevant internal processes.  Attend internal and external meetings, both during and outside normal working hours as required.  To support and guide colleagues within the unit, to help them to learn and develop new skills and be more effective in their role.  To train and mentor new and developing colleagues to ensure competence in their role.  To provide advice on the full range of housing enforcement matters where appropriate and commensurate with experience and grade of the post.  The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all their entire staff to share this commitment. All staff working for the Council who come into contact with children, young people and adults at risk are expected to comply with all requirements detailed within the Safeguarding Policy  To undertake such other duties as may be determined from time to time, within the general scope and commensurate with the grade of the post. Duties outside the scope of the post may also be undertaken with the consent of the post-holder. 9. RESPONSIBLE TO: Environmental Protection Team Leader 10. RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibilities 11. POLITICALLY RESTRICTED POST: 12. H & S ISSUES April 2015 Compliance with all current legislation, Council Policy and procedures including but not limited to duties defined in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1972, the Councils Health and Safety Policy and other specific Council policies as appropriate to your role. PERSON SPECIFICATION Post title: Housing Enforcement Officer Post No: Division: Grade: Environment and Public Protection 9 Date: April 2015 E = ESSENTIAL, D = DESIRABLE (Weighting 1 to 3, 3 being highest) for applicants to meet relevant standard SELECTION CRITERIA CRITERIA STANDARD A. Work experience B. Knowledge C. General skills D. Specific skills E. Qualifications F. Team work E/D &W 1. Experience in dealing diplomatically with the public and external bodies. 2. Experience implementing private sector housing renewal strategies. 3. Experience of delivering energy efficiency advice. 4. Experience of using computerised systems. 1. Theoretical and practical and procedural knowledge in a particular aspect of the job (building construction, surveying, energy or environmental issues). 1. Good communication skills, both written and oral and presentation skills. 1. Computer literacy. E 1. Education to at least A level, HNC or HND level or equivalent or professional qualification. 2. Relevant degree (or considerable experience). 3. City and Guilds in Energy Awareness or willingness to undertake course. 1. Commitment to working within a team environment. E MEASURED BY Application Form D3 D3 D2 E Application Form/ Interview E E Application Form/ Interview/ Test Application Form / Interview / Test Application Form D3 E E Interview/ Test G. Attitude H. Equal Opportunities I. Special circumstances J. Other 1. Demonstrate a healthy work life balance. 2. Developed interpersonal skills, eg advisory, guiding, negotiating and persuasive. 3. Deal with emotional demands from contact with vulnerable people. 4. Tactful and diplomatic. 5. Use of initiative and ability to develop solutions or plans over the medium term. 6. Work independently and manage own workload. 7. Potential to suggest new methods of working. 8. Understanding of own development needs. 9. Accepting of change and flexible working practices. 10. Responsible attitude. 11. Handling interruptions and conflicting deadlines. 12. Assertiveness. 1. To have a general awareness of equal opportunities issues and how they would impact on the role 1. Willingness to work outside normal office hours. 2. Means of travelling between work locations. 1. Awareness of basic H & S issues The use of a vehicle is required for this post D2 Interview E E E E E D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 E Interview E Interview E MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT Post of: Housing Enforcement Officer A copy of the job description is enclosed Salary £25,440 - £27,123 p.a. Hours of Work The hours of work are 37 per week. A scheme of flexible working hours is in operation whereby, within prescribed limits, an individual’s precise working hours are left to his/her own choosing. Car Allowance This post attracts an essential car user allowance. Holidays Annual holiday entitlement is 27 days (32 days after 5 years service in Local Government), plus a further 8 bank and public days. Health Scheme Membership of a Private Health Scheme. Pension This is a Local Government Pension Scheme CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 3 July 2015 INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE ON: 22 July 2015