Housing Standards Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description                      Housing Standards Officer

Purpose of the Job

Provide high quality specialised services in the area of private sector Housing and advise on the full range of issues which meet the needs of Tower Hamlets multi-racial community including managing projects and assisting in policy development as required.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Carry a case load ensuring all work is undertaken in accordance with statutory requirements, the Council’s policies and procedures, the highest professional practice and to the benefit of the residents of the Borough.

Provide specialist technical advice on all issues relating to the work of Environmental Protection - Housing and be responsible for ensuring that such advice is given in accordance with the best professional standards, where appropriate assuming and exercising delegated statutory authority.

Implementing intervention strategies across the private sector housing discipline, ensuring that properties that require licensing brought up to the legal standard using a range of techniques such as enforcement notices, and advice.

Ensuring that income recovery is instigated with regards to licence fees and enforcement notices.

Promote the work and services of the Directorate and Section liaising with other services within the Council, external bodies and statutory authorities including the provision of information, advice, guidance and assistance to residents of the Borough, elected members and businesses.

As an authorised Officer provide professional / technical advice whilst undertaking Environmental Health Housing enforcement and inspection duties.

Job Activities

Exercise delegated authority where authorised to act as an Officer or Inspector on behalf of the Council under the appropriate legislative provisions and ensure statutory responsibilities are properly and effectively discharged in relation to housing, including Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Prioritise and manage their own case load in relation to reactive and proactive work.

To undertake inspections, surveys and investigations under relevant Environmental Health Legislation, including visiting sites alone taking necessary action, such visits will involve attending locations and encountering situations which may involve personal risk.

Initiating, supporting Officers and overseeing cases in relation to the housing licensing schemes, proactively identifying relevant properties that require a licence, carrying out works in default and seeking income recovery where possible.

Carry a caseload prioritising and programming work and making day-to-day decisions on cases as required.

Specialise in the provision of expert  technical advice and guidance to all service users including residents, consumers, traders, Council departments and businesses on all Environmental Health - Housing matters.

Responsible for the proper storage, care, calibration of all specialist and routine equipment which may be necessary for the carrying out of the post in accordance with best practice.

Prepare case reports and make recommendations for legal proceedings and provide briefings for legal representatives.

Produce witness statements, attend court and other legal forums and act as an expert witness in Environmental Health issues on behalf of the Council...

Participate in the preparation of policies, procedures and guidance notes and the development of quality assurance and system manuals on good practice.

Participation in the development of intervention strategies for public health policies and procedures within the private sector housing discipline.

To represent the Council on liaison and multi-disciplinary working groups both within and outside the Borough and ensure appropriate liaison with all interested parties on issues including the public, elected members, other Council Dept’s and other Local Authorities.

The postholder may be required to undertake any duty appropriate to the post within any team of the Section at any location within the Borough.

To ensure that all duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with all Council’s Policies and Procedures including Financial Regulations, Standing Orders, Personnel Policies and Procedures, Health & Safety Policy etc.

To participate in the Council’s Performance Management Scheme achieving identified standards / targets and ensuring these are met within the agreed timescale.

Keep abreast of professional developments, legislative changes and best practice in all areas of Environmental Health, attending Continuing Professional Development Courses as appropriate and applying updated knowledge to present case load and sharing information gathered on Courses, including providing training for other staff.

To operate and utilise Information Technology including the CAD systems as appropriate to the work of the Section and assist with the identification and development of new IT applications that would improve the efficiency of the Section. Holding specialist knowledge with such applications and training/ assisting other staff to enable peer review and instigating legal proceedings.

To promote and comply with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the opposition and eradication of all forms of discrimination and to ensure all services are accessible to all users.

To undertake any other duties and responsibilities which may from time-to-time arise which are within the capabilities of the postholder and commensurate with the grade of the post.