STOCK CONDITION SURVEYOR INFORMATION PACK

Transcription

1 STOCK CONDITION SURVEYOR INFORMATION PACK If you need this information in large print, Braille, on audio, in another language or any other format please telephone Victory Housing Trust on

2 Overview Victory Housing Trust is a registered charity and registered provider of affordable homes, which owns and manages nearly 5,000 properties located across the north of Norfolk. These properties serve as homes to over 10,000 residents. Whilst the majority of properties are located within the local authority area of North Norfolk, Victory also has properties in the areas of Broadland, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk and Great Yarmouth. We believe everyone deserves to live in a good, affordable home and that homes that meet people s needs give stability to their lives and help communities flourish. We recognise that local people are best placed to provide a local service and have restricted our area of operation to Norfolk. Within that area, we feel Victory is big enough to make a difference, yet small enough to care. We do not wish to be a remote landlord. We expect the next few years will be tough for our sector and our residents so we need to be bold in our approach, looking for new ways of working and taking difficult decisions where necessary. In all of this, we recognise the need to use our resources efficiently to provide value for money. We firmly believe that it is not just what we do that matters, but how we do it. Our culture is important to us; we are proud of our staff and want them to live up to our Victory spirit, which we define as being positive, supportive and caring. Our way of working is: We put people first: we keep people at the heart of everything we do and value their differences. We say what we mean and mean what we say: we are clear and consistent in what we do. We love what we do and why we do it: we enjoy and take pride in our work. We are positive: we make things happen and achieve results.

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4 Five Year Plan We are committed to building more affordable homes. Having built 600 new homes in our first ten years, we plan to double our rate of construction and build 600 further homes over the next five years. These new homes will be principally for affordable rent with 20% to 30% built for low cost home ownership. To achieve this goal we will need to secure an additional 20m of funding over and above our existing facilities of 80m. We aim to achieve resident satisfaction levels for our services that are above the median when benchmarked against the national Registered Provider sector, whilst maintaining management and routine maintenance costs below the median. We are committed to improving and looking after our homes and accept our plans to invest 46 million in our properties over the next five years will involve an above median investment in major improvements. This investment is necessary for the long term maintenance of our housing stock and drives our top quartile resident satisfaction for the quality of the homes we own. To ensure investment is targeted at the right properties and that the homes we offer meet people s needs, we plan to sell 200 out-dated, less energy efficient, expensive to maintain homes, and replace them with modern, energy efficient homes. To support our residents, we offer a comprehensive tenancy support service providing benefit and debt advice, with additional support and training offered to those seeking employment. We aim to invest 500k in community initiatives over the next five years. Our resident-led Victory Community Fund will invest 175k in community grants (of up to 5k each), with the remaining 325k of funding targeted at initiatives that directly support tenants or lever in matched funding for the benefit of the wider community. We will work with partners to support the wider community, recognising that Victory has an important community role to play in areas where we are the dominant landlord.

5 Performance Framework To deliver this Corporate Plan, we recognise we need to recruit, develop and retain sufficient, skilled and motivated employees. However, alone this is not enough and we recognise it is not just what we do but how we do it that is important. We believe that skills, behaviours and attitudes are all important to ensure that our work is done effectively and to the standards required. To reflect this we have developed, with employees, a set of performance competencies illustrated here. The Performance Framework clearly sets out how we should treat each other and our customers, and helps to assess our performance. We all need to know how we are doing and are encouraged to perform better by seeking out and being given honest feedback in a helpful and developmental way. This framework will enable us to fully understand what Victory expects of us. Not only does this help team members to work more effectively and achieve their potential, it also links personal performance with our corporate goals and values. We expect all our employees to: embrace our values; be role models for positive behaviour; have a can do, will do attitude.

6 Victory Housing Trust is a User of the Disability Symbol What is the Disability Symbol? It s a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to organisations who agree to take action to meet five commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees. What do the commitments mean in practice? Organisations who obtain accreditation to use the Double Tick symbol are required to: Interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities. Make sure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities. Ensure every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment. Take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work. Annually review the five commitments and what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans. How will I recognise the Disability Symbol? The Disability Symbol is a circular symbol, usually green, with two ticks, as follows: What does it mean for applicants when they see the Disability Symbol on a job advert? It means that any applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they have applied for, will be guaranteed an interview. The minimum criteria will be detailed within the job description and person specification for the role. Applications for the post of Stock Condition Surveyor If you would like to apply for the post of Surveyor, with Victory Housing Trust, please complete and return the Application Form to human.resources@victoryhousing.co.uk by the closing date of 5pm, 8 th December Alternatively, you can post your application form to The Human Resources Team, Victory Housing Trust, Tom Moore House, Cromer Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 0NB. Interviews will be held on 21 st December Further information about Victory Housing Trust can be found at

7 JOB DESCRIPTION POST: RESPONSIBLE TO: Stock Condition Surveyor Assets Manager - Pre-Contract and Compliance OVERALL JOB PURPOSE: To undertake the role of Stock Condition Surveyor within Assets, working closely with the Assets Manager - Pre-Contract and Compliance, to provide a customer focused service and to assist in the management of Victory Housing Trust s property related assets. To assist in providing an effective, efficient and economic delivery of surveying services in relation to stock condition surveys to a professional standard within the Assets section. To work closely with colleagues and other teams to ensure a co-ordinated and consistent approach towards excellence in customer service at all times. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ROLE: Asset Management 1. Undertake stock condition surveys. 2. Assist in the administration of Victory s Asset Management database. 3. Undertake property surveys to ensure compliance with the Decent Homes standard.. 4. Identify potentially poorly performing properties and provide survey data required to complete an option appraisal report

8 Surveying 1. Undertake property surveys in relation to the following: a) Collection of stock condition data for Decent Homes Standard Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) b) Energy Efficiency c) Specific one-off property surveys d) Property options appraisals ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ROLE: Strategy 3. Contribute to the development of Victory s Asset Management Policy. 4. Maintain awareness and knowledge of contemporary property maintenance theory and practice, and to promote their application. Customer Service 1. Ensure that Victory Housing Trust s customer service standards are met for areas which the role holder has responsibility. 2. Provide feedback on issues noted in relation to the quality of work undertaken by Victory s contractors observed whilst undertaking property surveys. 3. Assist in the investigation of complaints received by the Assets team in compliance with Victory Housing Trust s policies. 4. Provide appropriate advice, assistance, information and guidance on all Assets related project and surveying matters to all customers (internal and external). Administration 1. Provide feedback on the performance of contractors and consultants. Health and Safety / Statutory Compliance 1. Assist in ensuring compliance with the health and safety / statutory duties in relation to the Assets team, including compliance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

9 Policies and Procedures 1. Assist in the production of clear and effective policies and procedures. Resident involvement 1. Contribute to the work of residents forums and other key resident involvement initiatives to ensure they are customer driven, and act as an effective tool to further develop services. 2. Assist in ensuring that Resident Involvement is an integral part of the services being delivered by the Pre-Contract and Compliance team. General 1. Contribute towards the successful achievement of objectives within Victory Housing Trust s Corporate Plan. 2. Work at all times to support the values of Victory Housing Trust. 3. Produce reports and attend meetings as required. 4. Contribute towards ensuring that a positive Health and Safety culture is applied throughout the work of the Assets team. 5. Actively support and participate in Assets related projects and cross-team working throughout Victory Housing Trust. 6. Work effectively with consultants providing services to the Pre-Contract and Compliance team. 7. Assist in ensuring Assets related safety issues are appropriately managed, including compliance with health and safety regulations. 8. Liaise with residents, staff, contractors, consultants and other organisations and stakeholders as required. 9. Assist in the development and implementation of procedures required to ensure the work of the Assets team is clearly defined and effectively delivered. No job description can cover every issue which may arise. The Post Holder is expected to carry out other duties as they arise which are consistent with the concept of the post.

10 PERSON SPECIFICATION POST: RESPONSIBLE TO: Stock Condition Surveyor Assets Manager - Pre-Contract and Compliance QUALIFICATIONS HND Level or equivalent qualification in a construction related discipline Technical or Graduate Membership of a relevant professional institution EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE Experience in a relevant housing or building organisation. Experience of undertaking surveying functions. An understanding and appreciation of legislation and regulatory requirements applicable to the housing sector. Knowledge of housing construction and technical issues. Good understanding of health and safety requirements relating to construction. Good understanding of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System SKILLS / ABILITY An adequate level of computer literacy, including the use of spreadsheets and databases. Organised and methodical. Able to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing. Able to work on own initiative, to manage their own workload and ensure externally imposed deadlines are achieved. Able to apply excellence in customer service and a performance focus to all aspects of work. Able to learn quickly and develop new skills. Able to apply imagination and innovation to service delivery. Able to work as part of a team and promote effective team working.

11 Ability to attend evening and occasional weekend meetings and flexibility in approach to working hours. BEHAVIOURS The job holder is expected to demonstrate the effective behaviours outlined in the Victory Competency Framework.

12 OUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS POST: STATUS: HOURS SALARY: HOLIDAYS: PENSION: CAR ALLOWANCE: OTHER: Stock Condition Surveyor Permanent Full Time, 37 per week 33,466 per annum 27 days, in addition to all statutory bank holidays You will be eligible to join the Victory Housing Trust s Pension Scheme The post attracts an essential car user allowance payment, together with the appropriate, prevailing mileage rate. You will require a full driving licence and access to your own transport. We value diversity in our workforce and are willing to consider flexible working arrangements

13 Working for Victory Housing Trust What We Can Offer? At Victory Housing Trust we value our employees and encourage them to reach their full potential. We encourage internal secondments, promotions; advertising vacancies internally giving staff the opportunity to progress within the organisation. Additionally employees are provided with opportunities to progress through training and professional development. With this in mind, we offer the following: Competitive Salaries Contributory Pension Scheme Car Allowances (for eligible roles) 27 days holiday per year (pro-rata for part-time staff) Paid Sick Leave entitlement Eye Tests paid for Membership of Health Cash Plan Professional Membership Fees Paid Mobile Phones provided (for eligible roles) Employee Assistance Programme Free 24-hour professional counselling information service is available Sabbatical Leave policy Family Friendly policies Flexible Working options Bi-Monthly 1-1 s Annual Performance Appraisal Annual Training Programme Internal & External Training Opportunities to attend Conferences Annual Staff Conference A full statement of the main terms and conditions of employment will be supplied with any formal offer of employment. The above information may be helpful to applicants as a guide, but should not be treated as a substitute for a full statement.