Discharge of Duty Officer

Who You Are

You are an experienced professional with extensive knowledge of homelessness legislation, guidance, and case law. You have a strong background in housing needs services, particularly within multicultural and urban environments. You possess excellent negotiation, organizational, and analytical skills, and you are committed to equalities while working in a diverse setting. You hold a degree or equivalent qualification and have demonstrated continual professional development. A full, clean UK driving license and access to a car for business purposes are essential.

What the Job Involves

The role involves directly managing properties for temporary accommodation for homeless households. You will oversee tasks such as temporary accommodation void management, lettings, tenancy management, rent arrears, repairs, landlord liaison, and evictions. You will work closely with various teams, including the Housing Needs team, Housing Allocation team, and the Council’s Social Lettings Agency. Your responsibilities include maximizing rental revenue, conducting comprehensive assessments, managing discharges of duty, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. You will also liaise with Social Services to ensure the delivery of community care services and safeguard both adults and children in temporary accommodation.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of housing law and homeless legislation
• Proficiency in affordability and suitability assessments
• Effective communication both in writing and at interviews
• Ability to organize work to meet deadlines and targets
• Strong negotiation and investigative skills
• Experience in managing and analyzing performance data
• Understanding of tenancy law and eviction processes
• Numeracy skills and understanding rent accounting
• Experience in fraud prevention and income maximization