Jobs

Following an exciting restructure of our Housing Team, we are delighted to offer several new opportunities — including this rewarding role within our Housing Landlord Service.

If you are someone who is proactive, enthusiastic, and motivated to make a real difference, and you enjoy working with and supporting customers, this could be the perfect role for you.

This role sits within our Income Recovery Team. This team play a crucial role in recovering arrears, often acting as the first point of contact for tenants facing financial difficulties. The post holder will play a key role in preventing arrears escalation, providing advice, negotiating payment arrangements, and initiating legal action when necessary including preparing and presenting cases at court in order to recover possession where the above fail. They will also work with other internal and external agencies to ensure sustainable resolutions and prevent the recurrence of arrears.

 In this role, you will:

• Deliver a comprehensive customer-centred service to tenants to maximise rental income and minimise arrears.
• Provide advice to Housing tenants to assist in the prevention of housing related debt and to promote tenancy sustainment and tenant wellbeing, by being proactive in addressing debt and reactive to queries from customers to achieve a resolution.
• Liaise with internal colleagues, and external services to deliver solutions and remove barriers for the tenant to ensure resolutions are sustainable and to prevent the reoccurrence and escalation of arrears.
• Represent the Council in taking the necessary legal action to recover possession where this is necessary. This includes preparing cases and completing the relevant paperwork for court in line with policy and the relevant protocols.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference. You will be joining a flexible, supportive, and responsive Housing Team where we work collectively to deliver the best outcomes for our residents.

Who we are looking for…

We are seeking someone who is:

• An excellent communicator on all levels with a strong ability to listen and build effective and meaningful relationships, including developing partnerships with external agencies
• Organised and can work to deadlines, prioritising workload to ensure these are met and work is completed effectively
• Able to work well as part of a team and foster good working relationships both within and between teams
• Possesses excellent IT skills and ability to use IT systems
• Knowledgeable about housing services, particularly within social housing and the wider issues that impact on this
• Experienced working in a role that involves income recovery or transactional analysis
• Experienced in working with vulnerable people with complex needs and able to demonstrate understanding and empathy in delivering a customer-focused service

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference. You will be joining a flexible, supportive, and responsive Housing Team where we work collectively to deliver the best outcomes for our residents.

Why Join Us?

• Play a direct role in improving lives and strengthening communities
• Work in a positive, supportive, and flexible environment
• Help shape and grow an exciting and impactful service
• Access opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team where your skills are valued, we’d be delighted to receive your application.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Whilst this post is based in Barrow, you must have the ability to travel efficiently around the Westmorland and Furness area to conduct visits and attend meetings.

Please note that the postholder will be required to work from the office location in Barrow in Furness to carry out this role.

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

Company: Westmorland and Furness Council

Salary: £36,363- £37,280

Location: Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

Sector: Housing

Sector: Community Services

Sector: Neighbourhood Services

Job Role: Officer