(Senior) Housing Standards Officer

Development and Housing Directorate.  Applications are invited for the posts of (Senior) Housing Standards Officer subject to Career Grade Scheme, (a copy of which is attached) located in the Housing Standards Team. 

Preston has a mixed private housing stock with many areas of significant new development but, like many older industrial towns, it also has a legacy of older housing, some of which falls in to long term vacancy. The Council has a statutory duty to ensure standards within the private sector are maintained, particularly in properties which are rented. This post will therefore primarily involve dealing with a caseload of properties to ensure the relevant standards are in place. You will be required to undertake visits and inspections, identify defects and put measures in place to improve properties. This will include the preparation of schedules of work, legal notices and in some cases prosecution files and court action. You may also be involved in administering and issuing statutory licences for Houses in Multiple Occupation, inspecting properties used as asylum seeker or refugee accommodation and dealing with buildings which are unsecured and open to access.

To undertake this work, you will need to liaise and deal with tenants, landlords, property agents and also other professionals such as Fire and Rescue services, the Police, contractors and other Council services. In addition, this role will complement the work of other Environmental Health and Housing services to deal with empty properties, raise housing standards in the private sector and deal with the statutory nuisances that properties in poor condition can often cause.

Although training and supervision will be provided, it would be highly desirable for the successful candidate to have experience of delivering a regulatory service to the public. In addition, a knowledge of, or recognised qualification, in building and construction in the domestic sector would be highly desirable. 

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares and a cycle to work scheme.

Both posts are initially advertised as full time, 37 hours per week. However, until permanent funding is secured, one post will revert back to a substantive 3 days (22.2 hours) per week after the postholder has been in post for 2 years. Please indicate at the time of application if you have a preference for which post. 

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in person around 2^nd/3^rd April 2025. For an informal discussion about any aspects of the role, please contact Les Crosbie, Team Leader via l.crosbie@preston.gov.uk or 01772 906708

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