Housing Officer

£28,000 per annum

Peterborough Based

Vehicle provided

Full time - 37.5 Hours

The Job Opportunity

A key member of the field operations team, this role is responsible for delivering the services required under the AASC contract within their designated portfolio. This includes ensuring compliance with company policies, processes and procedures and meeting all legal and regulatory requirements. The Housing Officer role is an important position within the AASC businesses, providing the primary face-to-face contact for asylum seekers whilst accommodated by Serco. In addition to working with asylum seekers, the Housing Officer will engage with other team members, landlords, external agencies, partners, our customer and the general public. The prime purpose of the role is to ensure that all properties within the allocated portfolio are safe, habitable, fit for purpose and fully equipped in accordance with the AASC standards as well as supporting the service user during defined activities, including service user dispersals, relocations, and discontinuations.

Daily Duties Involve

• With other field operations staff, support compliance with the key performance indicators of the contract
• Work closely and collaboratively with other housing and maintenance staff to deliver a fully compliant contractual service
• Takes responsibility for the delivery of the accommodation elements of the contract within their designated areas of operation
  
  

Accommodation and service users

• Work with transportation teams to ensure service users are available for dispersal, relocation and other transport activities
• Work with other AASC teams and individuals to investigate and report on various issues, including complaints, incidents, medical issues, suicide risks, domestic violence situations, anti-social behaviour and safeguarding
• Maintain the relevant Serco documentation at the property, including the property manual and information relating to the local area
• Verify that repair works have been completed to the agreed standard
• Provide access to the property for authorised third-party visits
• Report repairs and maintenance action on the relevant IT system
• Complete all minor property repairs within the scope of the Housing Officer role, as per the local agreements and enabled by training, experience and the tool kit and spares provided
• Report all property faults identified during inspections/visits using the agreed IT system, ensuring that the defects are correctly categorised and described
• Work with the property directorate to support the onboarding and withdrawal of properties
• Carry out inspections of each unit of accommodation as per the contractual requirements and local processes
  
  

Health and Safety

• Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and the relevant Serco safety standards when on duty
• Check all relevant property and service user reports before entering properties
• Ensure that there is no hazard to users of the property whilst inspecting or working on site
  
  

Out of Hours Working

• In order to provide a fully compliant service, there may be a requirement to be on-call outside of normal working hours, as per an agreed roster and in accordance with local Serco processes
  
  

What We Are Looking For In Our Candidates

Knowledge, Skills and Experience – Essential

• UK Driving Licence
• Ability to handle conflict
• Computer literate
• Excellent organisation skills
• Ability to prioritise varying workloads
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Awareness and understanding of safeguarding principles, with the ability to follow safeguarding procedures appropriately
  
  

Qualifications

• Desirable – housing related qualification
• Minimum GCSE education
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Experience – Desirable

• Ability to suggest and implement changes
• Experience of training staff
• Knowledge/experience of working within a property related environment
• Experience of property related documentation, e.g. tenancy agreements
• Experience of dealing with landlords and tenants
  
  

Why Serco

A place you can make an impact - The nature of our business means you will do interesting work that matters – delivering essential services that touch people’s lives.

A place you can count on - With our diverse operations across the UK, you’ll have access to exceptional opportunities for growth — from tailored training and internal mobility to the chance to step into more senior roles. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise or explore new paths, we’ll support you in applying your skills in fresh, meaningful ways.

A place for you - We are a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed within a supportive and safe culture.

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

ApplyPlease click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.