Technical Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Technical OfficerContract Type: PermanentSalary: £48,982.86 Per Annum Working Hours: 35 Hours per weekWorking Pattern: Monday - Friday, HybridLocation: Camden, LondonIf you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.

The difference you will make as a Technical Officer
Ensure effective delivery of legislative repair activity for all Group residential properties, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required standards, providing efficient and effective technical expertise, contract management, planning and administrative support as required. Support the Senior Technical Officer and Repairs Manager in providing a technical consultative service to Asset Services to ensure the Group continues to meet its regulatory and legislative responsibility in maintaining property in a sound and safe condition.

About you
We are looking for someone with:
• Experience in the building industry, ideally working within a customer focussed housing repair and maintenance team with a strong understanding of building maintenance terminology and repair activities. 
• Thorough understanding of housing condition legislation, including Disrepair and FFHHA 
• Understanding of HHSRS, Party Wall Act, Environmental Health Act and Building Regulations
• Experience of successfully undertaking site visits including post inspections and identification of building defects.

Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. 
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
•    Competitive pay & generous pension 
•    28 days holidays plus bank holidays
•    Flexible working options available
•    Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
•    A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside: 
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. 
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview.  Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered

Role Profile
• Support the Senior Technical Officer in delivering a programme of repairs and structural works, including associated cost profiles, working with key stakeholders including residents and Asset Services colleagues to agree project delivery requirements. 
• Undertake Housing Condition & Fitness For Human Habitation Act repair surveys for residential properties to assess defects and condition of works, both maintenance and structural, identifying the most efficient and cost effective solutions to ensure standards are maintained in terms of quality and compliance. 
• Manage contractors throughout any works instructed, including day to day contract management services for works activity including commissioning appropriate work orders, including monitoring progress to completion, ensuring contract obligations are fulfilled in line with agreed performance frameworks, identifying under performance and escalating via agreed routes as required. 
• Work alongside legal professionals in the preparation of evidence to be presented in court. 
• Support the business in processing of Home Improvement requests, including site surveys and co-ordination of H&S information relevant requested works. 
• Support the Insurance Manager and Senior Technical Officer on insurance related works such as fire / flood damaged properties, providing technical appraisal of the remedial works with loss adjusters. 
• Provide robust backing information to ensure the authorisation of payments in line with the Group’s financial controls, contributing to the development and review of relevant budgets including processing payments for approved contracted works, ensuring Asset Management expenditure is robustly managed in line with annual budgets. 
• Maintain accurate records, using appropriate systems and databases, ensuring the integrity and quality of data to enable regular analysis to be carried out and reporting to be completed as required. 
• Manage enquiries relating to works effectively from both internal and external stakeholder, Page 2 of 2 PUBLIC providing clear, supportive and accurate advice or signposting as appropriate and escalating complaints and complex queries via the appropriate channels to ensure effective resolution. 
• Manage internal and external stakeholders effectively, including close liaison with tenants, managing their expectations and ensuring convenient and high caliber customer service throughout any programmes of works. 
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes and procedures. 
• Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements 
• Ensure that all GDPR requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements. 
• Ensure internal business processes are followed in line with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements. 
• Respond flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities and undertake other duties when required to support the effective operation of the service.Person specificationKnowledge, Skills and ExperienceEssential
• Experience in the building industry, ideally working within a customer focussed housing repair and maintenance team with a strong understanding of building maintenance terminology and repair activities. 
• Thorough understanding of housing condition legislation, including Disrepair and FFHHA 
• Understanding of HHSRS, Party Wall Act, Environmental Health Act and Building Regulations 
• Experience of successfully undertaking site visits including post inspections and identification of building defects. 
• Effective contract management skills including managing service and maintenance contracts. 
• Effective stakeholder management, both internally and external to the organisation, including the ability to successfully persuade and influence others. 
• Ability of using sound judgement when making effective decisions. 
• Customer focused with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements. 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office.

Desirable
• Relevant building, maintenance, compliance or facilities management qualification e.g. HNC in 
Building or NEBOSH General, or equivalent.
• Relevant professional qualification
• Thorough understanding of project management methodologies