Location: Any of our 7 area offices in Portsmouth

Portsmouth City Council Housing Service manages over 17,000 council owned and leasehold properties in Portsmouth and Havant making it the largest social landlord in that area. The service we provide includes carrying out repairs and maintenance, maximising rental income, undertaking grounds maintenance and cleaning, providing tenancy support and tackling anti-social behaviour.

We are proud to find innovative and unique solutions to the challenges of service design and management. We use the 'Systems Thinking' method to make our processes as effective and customer- focussed as possible.

If successful in your application you will be based at one of the seven Area Housing Offices, and will join an experienced and effective Housing team in a challenging environment delivering essential frontline services.

As a service we take pride in our work by valuing others, focusing on what's important so that we make a real and positive difference. Our values are outlined in our Ways of Working and our Guiding Principles and if they reflect how you are and how you work then this could be the role that meets your expectations.

The Apprenticeship Role

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and committed individual for our exciting Housing Apprentice position. Apprenticeships are work based learning programmes that offer work experience, training, qualifications and a salary - so you earn while you learn.

We are offering a fantastic opportunity for you to start a career with us by joining us as a 'Housing Apprentice'. You will get:-

• A year of paid work • You will have a mentor/buddy who will be an experienced member of staff who can help you through the training • You will get a qualification and support to help you achieve this • You will improve your career prospects with the experience and qualifications gained and the possibility of getting permanent employment with Portsmouth City Council

The role of the Housing Apprenticeship The Housing Apprenticeship will work alongside the Housing staff who respond to all our customer queries and supervise the day to day management of rented and non residential properties that belong to Portsmouth City Council. They deal with the people and the property - making sure that the rent is paid, dealing with repairs, neighbour disputes, anti- social behaviour and providing support and help for customers to help them manage their tenancy.

You will be office based but there will be some time spent away from the office visiting tenants in their own homes, attending meetings and inspecting buildings. You will need to deal sensitively with a wide range of people including tenants, agencies such as the Police, Social Services and other local authorities.

There is a requirement to be prepared to work outside normal office hours. During these times Housing Officers may attend residents' meetings or seek contact with customers who have not responded during office hours.

Who is the person? 1. Have excellent customer service skills as you will be dealing with customers with a wide range of demand and issues. 2. Have the ability to communicate effectively as you will be speaking to customers face to face and over the telephone 3. Have good problem solving skills 4. Is able to work independently or as part of a team 5. Have confidence in using a variety of IT systems such as Excel and other office applications 6. Is willing to learn and develop 7. Be flexible as occasionally you may be required to work outside office hours i.e. to attend residents meetings 8. Driving licence and use of car is desirable. How to apply - Please read carefully

Please complete and return the application form by 15th August 2014 which you can download at the bottom of the job page if you are interested in becoming our new apprentice. Please provide details for references. If you are currently working we will need a reference from your current employer and if applicable previous employer. If you have not been in employment, preferably a reference from an educational establishment, i.e. college.

Our process includes assessments / testing and interview, Should you be shortlisted we will invite you in for an Assessment Day at our Paulsgrove Office on 26th August 2014. If you are shortlisted from the Assessment Centre you will be invited in for interview on 27th August 2014.

Please note that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal if you are appointed to the post.