Hsp Housing Officer

Settlement Services International (SSI Group) is a community-based organisation and social business that supports newcomers and Australians to achieve their full potential. Taking an integrated approach how everyone can thrive within the community in which they live and the wider Australian society, we support children, young people and families; people living with disability; and asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Our programs include facilitating employment, multicultural foster care, creating community engagement, advocacy, and influencing government and international affairs and provide though leadership within our sector nationally and globally.

Do you want to work with a leading purpose driven, community-based organisation?
SSI's vision is to achieve a society that values the diversity of its people and actively provides support to ensure meaningful social and economic participation and to assist individuals and families to reach their potential.

About the Role

This role is crucial to clients from refugee and migrant backgrounds within the HSP Program, it requires an individual, who really understands the housing market from a rental point of view plus has empathy to help our clients, whilst able to maintain a strong character to be an advocate on the clients’ behalf to ensure that they can source and maintain appropriate housing arrangements. Someone who makes active attempts to influence events to achieve goals, a self-starter who takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct OAA check in and complete all required tenancy documents like OAA Tenancy agreement, Centrepay forms, Ingoing condition report, Additional Terms & Conditions, tenants ‘rights & responsibilities, property/ tenancy orientation, information on sourcing LTA including affordability and suitability
- Ensure clients receiving IAS service and explain how it works, entitlement, rent start date, Centrelink rental assistance scheme and utility charges
- Enable clients to explore the private rental market and search/secure suitable/affordable LTA.
- Administer and maintain associated spreadsheets, CSnet, Chintaro (if applicable) and any other software platforms used by SSI, and make relevant claims through the HSP system
- Arrange OAA vacate process including exit condition reports and relocate clients from OAA to LTA when required
- Explain to clients how to report property repair/ maintenance request to the real-estate agent.
- Support clients with emergency accommodation and other homelessness services when required in consultation with TL
- Implement appropriate professional boundaries to ensure wellbeing of staff and clients

About you
- You will have excellent internal and external stakeholder relationship building skills
- The ability to empower clients to build knowledge and competency in relation to accessing housing (services) including tenants’ rights and responsibilities and government assistance schemes is essential.
- Be familiar with community housing/ real-estate environment coupled with knowledge of the Residential and Tenancies Act 2010
- Experience in the provision of culturally sensitive support to clients from a CALD background
- Excellent time management skills and experience
- Negotiating strategy, techniques and skills

Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Diploma of Community Services, Diploma of Case Management and/or equivalent relevant qualification or experience.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing high level of customer service and experience
- Ability to work autonomously and effectively as part of a team to achieve goals
- Adept knowledge and competency in Microsoft Office Programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Additional language skills are highly desirable
- Administer and maintain associated spreadsheet, internal and external systems and other software platforms used by SSI, and make relevant claims through HSP portal
- Able to adapt own style in a variety of situations and working with different stakeholders

About our Benefits
- Salary packaging options to receive up to $15,900 of your salary tax-free meaning more take-home pay
- Industry leading flexible working arrangement supported to work from home and office, including 9-day fortnight;
- Access to in-house training and learning opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Access to our inhouse wellbeing programs
- Working alongside professional and dedicated team members all wanting to make a difference in our communities.

About our Recruitment Process

At SSI and Access, we have a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where protecting children and preventing and responding to child abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of all employees, contractors and volunteers. All employees will undergo a National Police Clearance and a Working with Children Check as a condition of employment.