Housing and Accommodation Worker

JOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title: Housing and Accommodation WorkerReporting to: Property ManagerDate of Issue: July 2023Our Values, Our Work, Our PeopleCOPE Galway is a charity that has been providing social services in Galway since the 1970s.Our homeless services offer people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness a range of residential and non-residential supports. Our team works tirelessly to find individualised creative solutions. Ours is a learning organisation where we seek to innovate in line with evidence based best practise. We embrace strengths based approaches, harm reduction, trauma informed care and rights based service provision.Our Vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life. We work to achieve this by providing essential supports for people at challenging times in their lives, and by advocating for systemic change to remove the root causes of inequity and disadvantage that constrain the wellbeing and development of individuals, families and communities.Our Mission is to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities. We understand, respect and respond to the needs of our clients who are always at the forefront of our work.Our Team is supported by regular support and supervision and access to our Employee Assistance Programme. Our people receive a wide variety of on-the-job training, with core training including Trauma Informed Care, First Aid, Safety Intervention, Overdose Response and Naloxone Administration and additional training including Values Workshops, Diversity Workshops, Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction Workshops.The RoleThe Housing and Accommodation Worker is member of Galway’s Property Team, working under the guidance and direction of the Property Manager. This is a hands on role with a primary focus on the day to day operations and management of COPE Galway's community based residential properties including Community Transitional Accommodation for singles and Own door emergency and transitional units for families. It involves working in close cooperation with the COPE Galway Resettlement and Tenancy Support service and the COPE Galway Family Support Service teams, liaising with them about this accommodation and clients associated with their respective services.The post holder is required to work in accordance with Organisational and Property Department Policies and Procedures that are in place (and which are continuously being further developed). The role involves the use of property management systems which in addition to supporting the day to day functioning of the department also support the compliance functions including meeting all statutory and regulatory requirements as an Approved Housing Body.The role involves working in close cooperation with and supporting the Property Manager in the management of the organisations property assets including the delivery of responsive, cyclical and planned maintenance programmes.The role involves;Operations and Management of PropertiesSupporting and participating in the fit out of new/additional accommodation unitsPreparing units and spaces in shared accommodation for occupationRegularly attending accommodation units to carry out inspections/checks to ensure the properties are in a good state of repair and being maintained in a good state cleanlinessConducting scheduled periodic Health and Safety and condition checks on propertiesRecording repairs and auctioning these repairs including organising and facilitating contractors to access properties and carry out repairsOrganising access for programmed maintenance works including boiler servicing, electrical checks, alarm and fire safety equipment checks, garden and grounds maintenanceConducting pre and post work inspections of works carried out by contractorsLiaising with the Finance Department in monitoring utilities usage and meter reading on an ongoing basis including heating oil and addressing situations where there is excessive usageCollecting and recording of occupancy and service charges – working in close cooperation with the relevant leads of the Resettlement and Tenancy Support service and the Family Support Service in overseeing and operating collection, recording and tracking of payments and the issuing of statements etc.Addressing arrears with occupants of properties and agreeing and implementing arrears payment plansLiaising with neighbours of COPE Galway properties and relevant local authority and estate management workers addressing complaints and concerns raised in a timely mannerAttending properties at short notice and in exceptional circumstances out of hours when necessaryClient engagement and supportSupporting the move in of new residents to the propertiesSupporting clients in signing up to Household Payment scheme and putting arrangement is place for the payment of occupancy and service chargesSupporting clients in signing up to utilities suppliers where appropriateEngaging with clients living in the properties in respect of day to day operations and activities with the propertiesParticipating in the enforcement of conditions of stay and adherence to the licence/occupancy agreementWorking in close collaboration with relevant key workers to support the formulation and delivery of client support plans and to appraise them on any welfare or other concerns relating to their client.Conducting welfare checks of clients when identified as necessaryChildren, child protection and welfareAdhering at all times to the COPE Galway Child Protection and Welfare Policy & Procedure and the Children First GuidelinesEnsuring a prompt response to information and/or reports received or any concerns in respect of child protection and/or welfare.Adopting a high level of vigilance at all times in respect of safety and welfare of children in the propertiesAdministration and recordkeepingPreparing License/ Occupancy Agreements for signing when clients take up residency and preparing and organising for the signing of renewal of these agreements when necessaryOperating administration and recording systems including the use of Tilt Affinity, PASS, ApprovalMax and ViClarity, the COPE Galway Property Register and occupancy and service charge recoding systemsLiaising with the Finance Department in relating to occupancy and service charges arrangements and submission of paymentsWorking in close cooperation with the Finance Department to ensure that asset registers are updatedContributing to the day to day operation of the Property Department including raising PO’s, following up on phone enquires, communicating with contractors and arranging appointments for House visits with clients.Health and SafetyFamiliarising yourself with the COPE Galway Safety Statement and all relevant Health and Safety policies and procedureBeing vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace, making every effort to ensure your own personal safety and the safety of others and contribute to the ongoing development and updating of Health and Safety practicesBringing any Health and Safety related concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative.GeneralOperating within the COPE Galway Code of Practice and organisational Policies and Procedures including the Confidentiality, Child Protection and Dignity at Work policiesHaving a flexible calm approach which contributes to a positive working environment with colleagues and clientsParticipating in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your line managerUndertake other such duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with your manager.This Job Description is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the organisationCandidates must have a have a full clean driving licence and their own transport. They will on occasion be required to drive the company van to visit properties and or collect / deliver items to or from properties and service locations.PERSON SPECIFICATIONThe ideal candidate will have an organised approach, good administration and computer skills, as well as good communication skills. The person will have a proven record of working in a similar role and will have an interest in working with people who are disadvantaged or homeless.ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:Have a minimum of one years’ experience of working in the area of homelessness, housing and/or property managementGood communication, planning and organisational skills.Full valid driving licence and own vehicle/ transport.Ability to work on own initiative both alone and as a member of a teamIT proficient with moderate competence in the use of Microsoft OfficeAn interest in and aptitude to carry out basic maintenance and report tasksDESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:A relevant third Level Qualification in the area of housing or related field.Recognised qualification or a minimum of two years relevant work experience in property maintenanceKnowledge and awareness of Housing Policy and Practice.Experience of operating housing management IT systems.Core competencies:Excellent Organisation and Time Management skills.Demonstrates a client centred approach in way of working and an ability to relate well to clientsCommitment to ongoing service improvementsActs appropriately and maintains appropriate boundaries in client interactionsActs in a manner which is mature, responsible, competent and reliableConsiders the perspectives and views of others in informing and improving own work practicesRemain positive and motivated in the face of setbacks or pressure and seek solutionsDemonstrate ownership, commitment and transparency in all aspects of your workRespect and value differing views and willingly go the ‘extra mile’ and help colleagues when requiredCollaborate with colleagues with a positive attitude on preventing and managing situations of behaviours that challengeRemain calm in difficult situationsProficient in the use of computer systems including Microsoft Office.Demonstrates a genuine interest in the client groupSatisfactory references and Garda clearance required for this roleKey terms and conditions of employmentType of contract: PermanentHours of work: 39 hrs per week (may be required to attend properties out of hours and at weekends on occasion)Salary: Social Care Worker (Oct 2021 scales)Method of pay: Monthly by credit transferAnnual Leave: 22 day per annumJob Types: Full-time, PermanentBenefits:Bike to work schemeCompany pensionOn-site parkingSick payWork from homeSchedule:Monday to FridayEducation:Bachelor's (preferred)Experience:working in homelessness, and/or property management: 1 year (required)Work authorisation:Ireland (required)Work Location: In person