Technical Officer (Housing Improvements)

Team: Building Maintenance & Improvements Post: Technical Officer - Housing Improvements Grade: H

Responsible to: Principal Housing Improvement Officer

Responsible for: None

Job Purpose:

Supporting the Principal Housing Improvement Officer in the delivery of comprehensive and efficient Home Improvement Service the post holder will assess adaptation requirements in line with relevant legislation, undertake design work to address identified requirements efficiently and effectively and manage the delivery of the works to a high standard.

To deliver the following outcomes

1. The Council's key investment projects are delivered

2. The operation and financial efficiency of the Council's assets are improved

3. The opportunities for sustainable development and investment in Sefton are increased

4. The Council's assets are maintained

5. The most vulnerable people are assisted in accessing opportunities

6. Our services are accessible

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Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To provide an efficient and effective service to clients who are enquiring about, have made an application for, or have received approval for, the various types of grant or loan assistance provided by the Council.

2. To organise and oversee all technical aspects of the Housing grants / loans process from receipt of initial enquiry through to completion. Visiting client's in their own homes providing the required level of advice and information and maintaining regular contact with them at each stage of the case

3. To Inspect properties with regard to the legislation and standards appertaining to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the Decent Homes Standard, Disabled Facilities Grant and other relevant standards, as appropriate. To visit properties and undertake surveys to identify eligible works, prepare detailed plans and specifications / schedules of work to meet the needs and to check and analyse plans, specifications, estimates, bills of quantities and variations in connection with all applications for assistance.

4. To maintain and review an up-to-date Register of Preferred Contractors

5. To administer the Contracts for Works, instruct contractors and monitor the quality of workmanship.

6. To assist & contribute towards the development of a Private Service

7. To liaise with and maintain good working relationship with the Occupational Therapist, Client, and all other relevant partner agencies: to design adaptations that meet the needs of a disabled person(s), interpreting recommendations made by OT's and advising where appropriate, alternative cost-effective solutions organising and overseeing all aspects of the housing grants/loans process from receipt of initial enquiry through to completion.

8. To Undertake inspections to assess and verify unforeseen / additional works in line with current procedures and carry out interim valuations and recommend payments to contractors. To carry out completion inspections and certify final accounts and authorise payments in accordance with Councils financial regulations.

9. To monitor and control the progress of jobs on site and standard of work completed, whilst ensuring they all comply with relevant standards and that clients are satisfied with the improvements or adaptations. Resolving any outstanding matters to the satisfaction of clients and senior officers. To keep up to date with developments in the maintenance/adaptation of buildings and attend relevant training courses.

10. Give general advice and/or apply the current legislation and Council policy with regard to housing renewal and the financial assistance made available by the Council.

11. Working with the Principal Housing Improvement Officer to establish and implement a contractor code of conduct, monitor contractors against the

criteria and recommend action as appropriate. Provide technical support, in conjunction with the Home Improvements team, to clients irrespective of whether they are receiving financial assistance from the Council.

12. To keep full and careful records, including inputting on IT systems, of all activity for the purpose of updating case files, colleagues and managers on progress of enquiries, applications, current cases and completions.

13. To assist in the development and implementation of performance targets related to all current activities of the section. To adhere to and improve upon the standards defined in the customer charter for delivering private sector housing services. To assist in preparing reports for use by the Principal Housing Improvements Officer on the results of inspections / surveys made.

14. To keep abreast of changes in the building industry and reviewing pricing mechanisms, schedules and specification systems on a regular basis. To assist the Principal Housing Improvements Officer in the development of standardised schedules of work / layout plans, quality control manuals and procedures required to deliver a comprehensive and effective service.

15. To assist in the review and updating of standard schedules of work and costings. In particular work to implement schedules which contribute to sustainable development and low-cost maintenance of housing.

16. To arrange for the submission of and ensure that all work complies with current Building and Planning Regulations, Health & Safety and other relevant legislation.

17. To Work under own initiative with minimal supervision and manage and maintain a substantial caseload and to deputise for senior staff as and when required.

18. To participate in staff meetings, case conferences and training courses as required. To assist and participate in various working groups as required to shape and develop the services provided.

19. To participate in the council's performance review procedures.

20. Any other duties as required which are commensurate with the grading of the post. To carry out any other specified tasks that may be reasonably required by the Principal Housing Improvements Officer, with the proviso that any change of a permanent nature will be written into the job description.

Organisation Chart

See attached.

Special Conditions

Attendance at evening meetings of the Council's Committees and Resident or Interest Group meetings may be a feature of this post.

A casual car user's allowance is available. The post holder must hold a current driving licence.

General
The post holder will be expected to work flexibly, and the exact nature of the duties described above is subject to periodic review and is liable to change.

The post is customer-facing, therefore you must have the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

This job description is a representative document. Other reasonably similar duties may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the general character of the post and it's grading.

All members of staff are responsible for the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy so far as it affects them, their colleagues and others who may be affected by their work. The post holder is expected to monitor the effectiveness of the health and safety arrangements and systems to promote appropriate improvements where necessary.

The Authority has an approved equality and diversity policy in employment and copies are freely available to all employees. The post holder will be expected to comply, observe and promote the equality and diversity policies of the Council.

The post holder must ensure that confidentiality of all information is maintained and that working practices comply with the provision of the Data Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulations (May 2018)

All staff will undertake, and participate in training, coaching and development activities, as appropriate.

Note: Where the post holder is disabled, every effort will be made to support all necessary aids, adaptations or equipment to allow them to carry out all the duties of the job.

Prepared By: Sally Billington
Designation: Principal Housing Improvement Officer

Qualified to at least HND/HNC level Building Construction and / or Surveying or equivalent

E.C.D.L. or equivalent Computer qualification
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EXPERIENCE

Considerable experience in a residential building / surveying related discipline with detailed knowledge of the building industry, surveying practices and techniques, adaptations and general domestic building maintenance / repair practices.

Experience in the production of detailed specifications, schedules of work and plans using CAD programmes. Ability to compile and maintain a schedule of rates, tender preparation and negotiation, contract administration, quality and cost control.

Experience in delivering DFG and renovation type grants/loans including the inspecting of houses.

Considerable experience in the application of housing renewal legislation relating to private sector housing, including the supervision of building works and contractors with the ability to maximise income and minimise costs.

Experience of working in an environment providing a service to the public with an understanding of customer care issues.

Experience of working with clients, internal departments and external agencies.

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Department: Corporate Services Division: Building Services

Experience of working in an office / team environment and of working effectively as part of a small team.

Experience of working effectively under pressure to meet deadlines in a busy environment., A good understanding of building construction, identification of defects and remedies, including structural matters. Along with the technical expertise and ingenuity to solve complex problems.
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AF/C/I
A good understanding of the implications of adapting buildings to meet the needs of disabled people.
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A good Knowledge of Private Sector housing programmes and disabled adaptations, including knowledge of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and the Decent Homes Standard.
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Knowledge of Health and Safety issues with regards to building works and the construction design and management regulations.
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A good knowledge of health and safety issues, risk assessments, COSHH and DSEAR. (Dangerous substances & explosive atmosphere regulations 2002)
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A good understanding of the administrative systems, processes and procedures necessary to manage individual workload.
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To have an understanding of and be committed to Equality & Diversity.
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Skills

The post holder must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills

The post holder must possess the ability to organise and prioritise own workload effectively.

The post holder must possess the ability to reach a variety of target audiences and be able to liaise with people at all organisational and community levels.

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AF/C/I

The post holder must possess well-developed IT/Computer skills. Including every day usage of IT systems including all Microsoft based systems and Flare.

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The post holder must possess the ability to check financial information, final accounts and produce payments for authorisation.
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The post holder must possess the ability to use own initiative and work under pressure with limited supervision and accept responsibility for own work; to prioritise workload to meet recognised performance targets/deadlines.
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The post holder must be flexible and adaptable and be able to manage a busy and varied workload of inspections and administrative work.
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Aptitudes

The post holder must work within recognised guidelines, within which the jobholder is required to organise own work load. The work involves making decisions as to when and how duties are to be carried out and responding independently to unanticipated problems and situations. The jobholder generally has access to a supervisor/manager for advice and guidance on serious problems.

The postholder must be able to apply/perform concentrated mental attention.

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The post holder will be required to be self-motivated with a focus on personal and team achievements.
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The post holder will be required to have empathy with the needs of older people and people with disabilities and have a genuine commitment to meeting their needs whilst being authoritative when necessary.
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The post holder will be required to have a commitment to working to high standards of customer care and delivering a quality service in a responsive and customer orientated environment.
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The post holder will be required to have a flexible approach to work.
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The post holder will be required to be reliable, trustworthy and conscientious possessing a commitment to the highest standards of conduct when dealing with public funds.
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The post holder will be required to be committed to self-development willing to learn and attend training courses as necessary.

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SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder may be expected to attend meetings outside of normal working hours

The post holder may be required to participate in the emergency plan

The post holder must be able to travel independently over a wide geographical area if required.