1

Job Information Pack

Estate Assistant

TAFF/434

2

Advert We are looking for a motivated individual who enjoys working as part of a team to provide an excellent estate management and cleaning service to the residents of a number of our schemes. This includes sheltered and supported housing as well as general needs flats and communal areas. You will receive competitive pay and a package of benefits that reflect the skills and experience required. You’ll be working for a company that really values its people. If you are professional and friendly we would like to hear from you. We would also like to hear from you if you've already had experience of working in a similar job.

3

4

About Taff

Our Head Office is located in Canton, Cardiff, within easy reach of our Tenants. As an ‘anchor’ organisation, Taff has always tried to create inclusive communities, building on people’s strengths and abilities. We are here to support and encourage innovative and creative solutions driven by our people – customers and staff.

We continue to develop new Social Housing, and invest in our existing stock. But we also work with individuals and communities to develop their resilience, aspirations and ambitions.

Taff is about nurturing ‘whole places’, which are kind, inclusive, energetic and creative.

We have committed to ‘Build Foundations for Better Futures’ in our plan which takes us to 2022. Our ambitions are to: • BUILD A REPUTATION FOR DELIVERING GREAT SERVICE & INNOVATION – we want our customers to value our services, and think of new, more efficient ways to work with them •BUILD HOMES & COMMUNITIES – we will build at least 50 homes each year, and promote safe, cohesive communities • BUILD RESILIENCE AND ASPIRATIONS – we will work with people to find their strengths, and help them achieve what’s important to them. We will give them tools to cope independently • BUILD A GREAT PLACE TO WORK - we want people to feel part of Taff, and to take leadership roles wherever they are in the organisation • BUILD FOUNDATIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS – if we want to be innovative and use technology to help us grow, we need to ensure all our systems work well – financial, IT, document management etc. • BUILD COMMERCIAL CAPACITY – healthy surpluses allow us to build homes and to try out new ventures; research and development will underpin all new business ideas We recognise that our success depends on the quality, skills and commitment of the people who work for us. We are committed to equality and embrace diversity, and welcome applications from all.

5

The Job - Estate Assistant Responsible to: Senior Estate Assistant Purpose of the post: To provide an excellent estate management and cleaning service to the residents of several schemes, including sheltered housing. To ensure The Association’s complies with its health and safety and fire safety responsibilities. To ensure that the sites are safe, secure and clean. To provide a local source of basic advice and assistance to customers on estate management matters.

Key duties: Cleaning

To ensure that all internal corridors, stairs, landings and lifts are kept clean and tidy. To ensure all external areas are kept clean and tidy. To carry out litter picking and the removal of

potential hazards from sites etc. To take all reasonable steps to ensure that the bin store areas are kept clean and hygienic To assist tenants to make arrangements for disposal of large items of rubbish. To ensure that dumped items left in communal areas or on schemes are cleared promptly. To use a dedicated vehicle resource to be able to transport and store dumped items from

Housing Schemes. To store dumped items from schemes securely in a central location and to assist in the facilitation

of commercial waste collection as and when required. To monitor the refuse collection service, liaising with the Senior Estate Assistant and the Housing

Officer regarding any problems with the service. To assess all sites that you work on and prioritise tasks according to what work is needed. Maintenance To carry out minor repairs to communal areas e.g. removal of graffiti, adjusting door closers,

changing lightbulbs, repairing damage on site etc. where appropriate. To assist in the clearance of void properties and the removal of old kitchens if required. To promptly report to the Assets and Compliance Team any larger repairs in communal areas. To monitor performance and attendance of window cleaning and landscape maintenance

contractors and other tradesmen; and to notify the Senior Estates Assistant and/or Housing Officer immediately of any defect in the service.

Health and Safety

To complete weekly Fire and Health & Safety checks. To record all issues by set deadlines. To report any urgent issues immediately to the relevant person

6

To carry out call point checks of all fire alarm systems on a weekly basis and submit check remotely to ensure 100% compliance with British Standard Fire Safety Regulations (BS5839 section 6 & 7)

To take all reasonable steps to ensure communal areas are free from obstructions or hazards To ensure the removal of hazardous spills in communal areas. To ensure that all Personal Protective Equipment is maintained and used appropriately. To adhere to guidelines set out in the COSSH list and on the safety data sheets Estate and Tenancy Management To report immediately all breaches of tenancy and anti-social or criminal incidents, including

vandalism, to the Association and to the Police where applicable. To check the security of empty flats and monitor for illegal occupation, theft and vandalism. To monitor and report all illegal parking on sites To assist Housing Officers and Rent Officers in the management of ASB and rent accounts. Customer Involvement To assist with Customer Involvement initiatives at the schemes when required. To introduce new tenants to the services and facilities of the scheme and provide them with

appropriate advice and assistance. To deliver newsletters and other correspondence/information produced by the association where

required To ensure that scheme notice-boards are kept up to date with useful information/advice for

residents and fire safety information.

General To report any concerns regarding residents to the appropriate Housing Officer To be available to residents and Association staff at all times during the working day. To deal with residents in a polite and courteous manner at all times. To work within the Confidentiality Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy at all times. To undertake training, and to participate in staff meetings and conferences when required. To maintain the tools and equipment provided and to ensure the Store Rooms are kept clean,

tidy and secure at all times. To deputise for other Estates Assistants if required. To undertake any other tasks consistent with the objectives of this post, and commensurate with

the grade. *This job description is indicative of the range of current duties and responsibilities for the post. It is not comprehensive. This post is expected to develop overtime with the skills and knowledge of the post holder and it is essential therefore, that it is regarded with a degree of flexibility, so that changing needs and circumstances can be met. All changes will be discussed with the post holder.

7

The Person – Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Experience & Knowledge Essential: Good general DIY skills and previous experience of minor maintenance work and cleaning. Good knowledge of Health and Safety and Fire Safety Issues Good knowledge of COSHH procedures An understanding of the risks associated with lone working Desirable: Previous experience of working in a social housing context Previous experience of working as a caretaker or in a similar role.

Skills and Aptitude Essential: The ability to work independently according to Association procedures and Health and

Safety/Fire Safety Guidelines, with minimum supervision The ability to work confidently with a variety of IT systems and devices The ability to work to strict deadlines The ability to maintain good relations with tenants The ability to respect confidentiality and to work to the association’s Equal

Opportunities Policy A commitment to providing an excellent standard of service to tenants Ability to use own initiative and a common sense approach Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances Ability to work as part of a small team Desirable: Good communication skills and the ability to negotiate with tenants, staff and other

agencies Ability to communicate in Welsh or a relevant community language

The Person – Characteristics Personal Qualities

Essential: Physically fit and able to lift relatively heavy items, climb ladders and be on feet for

significant periods The ability to be able to deal effectively with conflict Access to a car, and a valid driving licence Desirable: The ability to work occasionally at weekends The ability to attend occasional evening meetings

8

Diversity Essential: To encourage individuals to value diversity and challenge behaviour which undermines

the ethos of equality To respect and respond to the diverse requirements and needs of different individuals To demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the legal, ethical and strategic

reasons for supporting workplace diversity

9

Conditions of Service Salary: £22,371 - £23,754 per annum

Contract Type Permanent

Working Week 40 hours a week, normally Monday - Friday Flexible working in accordance with our Work life Balance Policy

Annual Leave 25 days annual leave (extra 1 day leave after 5 and 10 years’ service – total of 27 days) plus 4 extra statutory days plus 8 bank holidays

Location Head Office, Canton, Cardiff. CF5 1JD

Criminal Records Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check will be necessary for the successful applicant, and appointment will not be confirmed before a satisfactory disclosure is received.

References:

Two satisfactory professional references covering the last 3 years; including one from your current employer. (Family members cannot provide references)

Probationary Period: 6 months

For further information about this role contact the People Services Team on 02920 259 173 Closing Date: Wednesday 27th November 2019 at 9am

Interview Date: Thursday 5th December 2019

10