Housing Officer

Responsible/Reporting to:Head of Housing and Property Management Job purpose: Working as part of HAILs Housing Management Team you will be responsible for managing the tenancies and properties in your designated area, in accordance with the Organisations policies and procedures and contributing to the overall successful performance of the Team. You will also be responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with your HAIL colleagues and with the key external stakeholders including the relevant personnel in the Local Authorities. Salary Scale: €43k to €57k Starting salary will be dependent on experience Job Information: This is a full time post, 35 hours per week over five days, Monday to Friday. Some evening work may be required. About HAIL HAIL is an Approved Housing Body with over 480 properties Founded in 1985, the Housing Association for Integrated Living (HAIL) is Irelands specialist mental health housing association. As an approved housing body, we provide high-quality social housing and mental health tenancy sustainment services. The work we do helps people live independently in their homes and community. Our mental health tenancy sustainment services and housing team help our tenants and clients maintain their tenancies and live independently by providing support on mental health recovery, household and budget management, pursuing employment and education opportunities and maintaining links with family and friends. You can find out more about these services here. We pride ourselves at all levels of our organisation for having an excellent reputation in both the housing and mental health care sectors. As part of our current strategic plan 2024-2028, we are aiming to support more people by providing an additional 300 new homes and expanding our support services into more communities across Ireland. Our Values Trust: Our relationships are built on trust. We work closely with our stakeholders, clients and tenants to achieve the best possible outcomes. Respect: We work towards creating an equitable society where all are treated with respect and dignity. We listen with open hearts and open minds as we believe everyones voice has a right to be heard and respected. Leadership: We are leaders in delivering our vision and purpose, courageously and responsibly providing homes and supporting those living with mental health challenges. Role Description To act as Housing Officer in the Dublin and surrounding area (current patch approx. 200 units) and to carry out all of the duties as specified below. HAIL may from time to time reallocate responsibilities and may require the Housing Officer to take on relevant tasks and projects. You will be part of a dedicated and experienced housing and property team who are committed to the highest level of housing management services to their tenants. You will be working within a supported management structure which will enable you to continue to develop your skillset within this field. Key Roles and Responsibilities Lettings/Allocations Managing the letting and allocations of properties per the Associations Lettings Policy, including ensuring compliance with all regulations. Developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local housing authority and other referral agencies. Interviewing and assessing prospective residents and making allocation decisions. Co-ordinating the viewings of properties with prospective tenants at hand- over and re-let stage. Liaising with support staff in the interviewing and allocation of properties for families and individuals with additional support needs. Together with support staff preparing, planning and delivering pre-tenancy programmes. Ensuring all properties are let within the time specified in KPIs. Advising prospective residents with regard to tenancy agreement. Advising residents and prospective residents of housing options. Work in partnership with the Support Team to ensure tenancy sustainment. Key Roles and Responsibilities Rent Managing the tenants rent and service charges system as per the Associations Rent Policies and Procedures. Ensuring income returns and changes of circumstances are received. Advising tenants with regard to assessments. Responsibility for identifying debt and managing cases of bad debt. Arrears control and ensuring arrears KPIs are met. Key Roles and Responsibilities Estate Management Ensuring properties meet all regulatory and HAIL letting standards. Regularly visiting/inspecting developments/properties and completing necessary paperwork. To carry out regular fire equipment inspection and drills. Recording any nuisance and taking appropriate action. Managing Anti Social Behaviour and other breaches of tenancy as per the Associations Policy. Recording and identifying causes of damage to property and ensuring it is remedied. Maintaining accurate current records of all properties, residents and incidents. Attending community group/management company meetings from time to time or where necessary or appropriate. Key Roles and Responsibilities Maintenance Managing and implementing the repair service efficiently as per the Associations Repairs & Maintenance Policy. Responsibility for managing contractors and ensuring value for money. Responsibility for seeking quotations/tenders and making recommendations when appropriate. To assist in the management of a programme of planned/cyclical maintenance. Organising the repair of properties prior to re-letting. Responsibility for inspecting repair work and ensuring quality of workmanship. Inspecting void properties. Responsibility for counter-charging tenants where appropriate. Responsibility for ensuring that maintenance KPIs for the area are achieved. Responsibility for maintaining the repairs and maintenance expenditure within budget. Key Roles and Responsibilities Tenant Engagement Ensuring effective and efficient participation within HAILs Tenant Enrichment & Partnership Strategy Attending Tenant Forum meetings as and when necessary Aid with the implementation of the strategy working closely with the Head of Housing & Property Management as well as the housing team Working in partnership with HAILs tenants and external statutory and nonstatutory bodies in the delivery of the strategy To work with tenants to maximise tenant engagement throughout HAIL and across departments Key Roles and Responsibilities Organisation Utilising the housing management computer system for the administration and maintenance of all relevant housing management files. To create, manage, update and maintain all housing management/ tenant files. To contribute to policy and procedures and to participate in the ongoing review and revision of documents within a service improvement framework. Developing and maintaining relationships with local housing authorities and other agencies who have a key role in effecting housing management. Keeping abreast of key legislative and procedural matters which affect your work as Housing Officer. Producing reports as required on housing management and key performance indicators for all properties and developments in your allocated area. Key Roles and Responsibilities Training Attend/Request training appropriate to your role. Key Roles and Responsibilities Other To fulfil all care and high standards regarding both HAILs and your own health and safety obligations. To positively promote the Association in all activities. To exercise discretion in all aspects of the role. Any other duties which are consistent with your role. Person Specification -Key requirements for this post are; 1. Qualifications Candidates are required to have a property or housing qualification: the equivalent level of the Higher Certificate in Property and Facilities Management, or the CIH Certificate in Housing for example would be desirable. Full clean Irish driving license is essential. 2. Experience, Knowledge & Skills The Applicant must have proficient experience, knowledge and skills in the following areas to be deemed suitable for this position. At least two years recent experience in a housing or property management role preferably in an AHB or Local Authority. Experience of working with a vulnerable client group is desirable. Experience of managing and working collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Strong communication & interpersonal skills. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team. Excellent planning & organisational skills. A working knowledge of Housing Law tenants rights and responsibilities and RTB processes. Excellent attention to detail. Strong proficiency in the MS Office suite of programs. Experience of report writing. 3. Conditions The Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the individual appointed and in line with the Organisations salary scale. Salary Scale:€42,357 to €56,965 HAIL offers: Flexible working hours with a flexi time system in operation 24 annual leave days plus 3 Company days Company Pension Scheme with current contributions rates of 6% employer contribution and 6% employee contribution Death in Service Benefit Health insurance for serious illness Training and development Paid expenses Satellite office locations with a hybrid approach to working hours Professional Subscriptions paid by HAIL (after probationary period) Hybrid Working arrangements 4. Appointment This post will be filled immediately. All contracts are subject to successful completion of a six-month probationary period. 5. Recruitment Process Please send a letter of application outlining your suitability for this role and your C.V. by 1pm on Friday 3rd January 2025. Only those shortlisted for Interview will be responded to. HAIL is an equal opportunities employer.