POST TITLE: Senior Housing Standards & Assistance Officer
SECTION: Housing & Community
SALARY: Grade 8 £41,193 - £46,338 pa
LOCATION: Sittingbourne, Kent
CONTRACT TYPE: Full Time/Permanent

About the role

A vacancy has arisen to join the Housing Standards and Assistance Team, as Senior Housing Standards & Assistance Officer, to contribute towards maintaining decent and healthy homes in Swale. In this role, you will manage your own case load and undertake appropriate enforcement action to tackle disrepair and energy deficiencies in residential properties, using HHSRS and relevant enforcement powers. You will undertake HMO licensing and enforcement activities and oversee the operational delivery and continuous improvement of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced environmental health housing professional to make a real difference to housing improvement within the borough.

This is a full time position, working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract.

About Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent, involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset, and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times, we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer

A range of benefits including:

- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years’ LG service, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional leave
- Additional 3 days’ leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year
- Free parking
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
- Employee Assistance Programme, which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
- Annual flu vaccine
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You

The successful candidate should hold a degree in Environmental Health, Certificate of Registration with the Environmental Health Board and hold a certificate and have experience in using HHSRS to assess properties, or alternatively, have an equivalent qualification with substantial relevant experience. You must have excellent communication and organisational skills with significant experience and knowledge of the relevant legislation, with the ability to lead and motivate others to achieve the aims and responsibilities of the Council.

We are open to applicants with substantial experience in the private rented sector, especially those who have worked in regulatory compliance roles with a robust enforcement background.

This role will require you to carry out site visits where needed, and so, you will need to have a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. We have adopted a flexible working approach to improve work-life balance, and this includes working from home, attending the office two days a week or more and face to face meetings to ensure the functions of the department are managed and maintained.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact San Nyunt, Housing Standards & Assistance Manager, 0179 541 7238.

To apply for the position, use the apply offsite button and complete the online application form or by phone on 01622 602555.

Closing Date: 15/06/2025.
Interview Date: 26/06/2025.