We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Are you passionate about raising standards in Lewisham's private rented sector? Are you highly experienced in private sector housing enforcement and regulation, identifying property disrepair, or do you have an environmental health background? Can you manage a demanding work-load in a fast-paced environment, and help us to train our next generation of housing enforcement officers? We want to hear from you.
What’s the role?
As a senior licensing and housing enforcement officer, you will lead and carry out licensing and HHSRS inspections, prepare and serve statutory notices, and take further enforcement action where required, advise renters and landlords on their rights and responsibilities, and take a leading role in the Council’s regulation of the private rented sector. As an experienced private sector housing professional, you will also help us to train and develop less experienced officers in the service. This is an exciting time to join us, as we continue the roll-out of our borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme, and prepare to introduce our first selective licensing scheme in July 2024.
What’s in it for you?
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
What we’re looking for
You will have at least five years' experience in private sector housing enforcement and regulation or a closely related discipline, such as environmental health, tenancy relations or building surveying. You will have a good knowledge of the relevant housing enforcement legislation, in particular the Housing Act 2004, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Our ideal applicant must be passionate about improving services for vulnerable residents, HHSRS trained and ready to hit the ground running with a substantial caseload of disrepair and licensing cases. You must be motivated, able to work independently and prepared to support the development of the team. A formal environmental health qualification is desirable, but not essential.
Applications from women, those with a BAME background, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged.
Location
The job is primarily based in the council's main office at Laurence House, Catford, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis. You will also be required to attend property inspections throughout the borough several times per month.
Special conditions
- Occasional evening and weekend working is required for this job
- The job is subject to a basic DBS check
The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs.
Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Mathew Browne, Licensing and Housing Enforcement Manager on mathew.browne@lewisham.gov.uk
Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification
Salary
£46, 053-£48, 063 per annum (PO3) plus 7% market supplement
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram
36 jobs found