Vacancy: Housing Officer

Hours of work: Full-time

Reporting to: Service Manager

Location: Cork

Salary: €34,466-35920

About Peter McVerry Trust

Peter McVerry Trust is a national housing and homeless charity committed to reducing homelessness and the harm caused by substance misuse and social disadvantage.

The charity provides low-threshold entry services, primarily to younger people and vulnerable adults with complex needs, and offers pathways out of homelessness based on the principles of the Housing First model.

Responsibilities:

The role of Housing Officer will include but not limited to, the following key responsibilities;

To the Manager/Team Leader:

• To work for Peter McVerry Trust within the authority delegated to him/her by the Manager/Team Leader;
• Meet with the Manager/Team Leader at regular intervals regarding the progress of his/her work;
• To assist the Manager/Team Leader in delivering core housing management services to tenants of PMVT and their communities.

To provide direct support to tenants through:

• Managing your designated schemes/housing units in accordance with the Trusts policies and procedures;
• Assisting tenants to manage their tenancies with intervention, support and supervision; 
• Providing SLI (Supported Independent Living), TSS (Tenancy Support & Sustainment) services for the initial 6 months at the start of their tenancy;
• Supporting tenants in managing the payment of their rent and putting supports in place where they are managing rent arrears;
• When required, providing advocacy and referral to community services to help the tenants integrate into their communities;
• Engaging in out of hours on-call service on roster basis;
• Liaising with the appropriate agencies to support the ongoing health and well-being of the tenants;

To assist with tenants’ casework through:

• Communicating with staff of Peter McVerry Trust where relevant; 
• Key-working the tenants (where required);
• Assisting with resident’s Individual Support Plans (where required);
• Ensuring that tenants are fully informed about all entitlements and supported to apply for same.

To maintain a safe and healthy living environment through:

• Adhering to safety and security protocols;
• Ensuring that health & fire safety checks are carried out on properties on a regular basis 
• Supporting tenants and all key stakeholders with estate management matters;
• Supporting the tenant to ensure that the environment in which they are living including communal areas, are maintained to a high standard at all times;
• Advising and supporting tenants with housekeeping needs;
• Mediating disputes and encouraging co-operation in shared living environments.

To respond to requests for service through:

• Linking in with other Peter McVerry Trust services, screening and assessment;
• Communication of information and referral to services where required.

To undertake administrative duties through:

• Maintaining tenants’ details and documentation on a timely basis.
• Ensuring that case notes are logged in a professional manner
• Rent collection and administration;
• Actively participating in staff meetings;
• Providing written reports to the Manager/ Team Leader where necessary; 
• Recording any Incidents / Accidents that may occur.
• Ensuring that the staff office and staff vehicles are maintained to a high standard.

Change in work programme:

• It may be necessary, from time to time, for the workload to be re-prioritised to accommodate workloads in other areas of the organization.Due notice and consultation will be given.
• To have a positive and enthusiastic attitude in work:
• In your interactions with management, staff and participants of the Peter McVerry Trust. 
• In your interactions with external agencies while representing the Peter McVerry Trust.

Other Duties:

• Undertake any other agreed duties to ensure the provision of the service.

Experience Required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience required;

• Degree level qualification in housing, social care/youth work, addiction studies or related field;

Essential competencies:

• Commitment to providing the highest level of service, respect for others, openness to change, communication skills– oral, aural and written, contributing to the prevention and management of challenging behavior, professionalism & maintaining professional boundaries and effective team working. (All other competencies to be reviewed as part of the supervision and support process);

Other Information

• Confidentiality: It is a condition of service that all information obtained during the course of employment, especially with regard to participants affairs is treated with the strictest confidence.
• Equal Opportunities: To implement Equal Opportunities into your daily practice at all times
• Health and Safety: To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your Colleagues in accordance with relevant PMVT policies and procedures.

Employee benefits

• Attractive salary: €34,466-35920 
• 21 days annual leave allowance
• Core Professional Training and CPD 
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Tax Saver 
• Death in Service Benefit
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Career progression opportunities

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time.

How to apply:

To apply please download the application form or visit pmvtrust.ie/careers: Application Form
Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@pmvtrust.ie along with your CV and Cover Letter.

Closing date: 8th February 2025

Peter McVerry Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 
Registration Number 412953 | Charity Number CHY7256