Receptionist
Job Title: Receptionist
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,860 per annum
Working Hours: Full Time - 37.5 hours
Working Pattern: Shift Work, Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm and 12.30pm - 8.30pm.
Location: Arlington, London
If 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 receptionist
Arlington is based in the centre of Camden and has a long history as a homeless hostel. Today Arlington is a diverse mix used environment being the home to 95 former homeless people in our 24-hour supported accommodation. Arlington also accommodates 44 people in its studio flats designed for low income workers to provide affordable housing for up to 2 years.
Arlington is the central offices for Riverside’s Care and Support department and is the location for the Employment and Training Academy. Arlington has 3 Conference Suites, 10 Art Studios and various social business enterprises.
About you
We are looking for someone with (to be taken from essential criteria)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Numerate, confident at handling figures.
• Good standard of written English. Able to write letters and reports in plain language.
• Methodical and organised approach to task management.
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
• 25 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.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.
Role Profile
Main responsibilities:
• Administration for Arlington flats
• Provide administrative support for the Low-Income Flats as directed by the Team Manager of Services in the areas of managing referrals from Camden Council, assessing tenant’s suitability, providing viewings of properties and supporting tenants with sign up and reporting voids.
• Liaise with tenants regarding ongoing issues relating to their tenancies
• Providing all tenants with appropriate information
• Keep up to date records on OHG’s Universal Housing System
• Liaison with OHG’s ASB and Safeguarding teams
Administration duties:
• Keep up to date records of all applicants and length of tenancy
• Ensure that each tenant has a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities of accepting the tenancy and issue EPC and How to Rent in England documents
• To liaise with Camden Council regarding referrals for Low Income Flats
• To process referrals for Low Income Flats and discuss with Manager of services
• To assess the appropriateness of referrals for Low Income Flats in conjunction with manager of services
• To organise tenancy sign-ups for Low Income Flats and complete all paperwork.
• To keep up to date records on Universal Housing data base
• To report all issues of ASB to Manager of services and ASB team
Allocations and Voids:
• To work closely with the LB Camden to get referrals into the void rooms and ensure voids are kept to a minimum.
• To advertise and promote voids that Camden are unable to fill within the specified agreement.
• To report repairs and manage the turnaround of void rooms.
• To manage a waiting list of applicants to ensure voids are kept to a minimum.
• management of waiting lists and quick turn over of voids rooms to let reporting any repairs required.
Arlington reception duties:
• Work within the team of receptionists to provide cover as required by acting as first point of contact for visitors, customers and conference guests.
• Deal efficiently, calmly and pleasantly with visitors and callers to a busy reception area
• Maintain and update stocks of literature in the reception area, ensuring the reception area is tidy and welcoming
• Work on own initiative within guidelines and timescales to ensure all work is completed to a high standard, within allocated timeframe
• Effective multitasking, attention to detail and ability to react to situations efficiently and appropriately
• Maintain accurate records and provide information when required
• Meet the demands of internal and external customers on time and to a high standard
• Ability and desire to work to a high standard to ensure that the reception area and the Customer Contact Centre meet standards as required by Quality Housing Standard and Housing Corporation guidelines
• Deal quickly and efficiently with incoming post and deliveries ensuring it’s accurate distribution in a timely manner
• To fully comply with the Group’s Health and Safety Regulations at all times; which may include carrying out physical tasks such as lifting boxes/equipment up to 23kg.
• Provide a service to internal customers which includes the booking of couriers, taxis, greeting customers, dealing with challenging behaviour
• Keep a log of visitors to reception and of incoming post
• Direct and guide conference and training guests to various training/conference rooms
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Professional, pleasant and efficient manner
Other Duties:
• Contribute to the development of One Housing’s strategies and policies through positive participation in working groups and other corporate activities.
• Attend relevant training programmes as required.
• Work out of hours and at weekends as required.
• Adhere to One Housing’s Customer Service Standards in all areas of work.
• Adhere to all One Housing’s internal policies and procedures.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as required.
• Work in any of One Housing’s geographical areas, excluding Berkshire
Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Numerate, confident at handling figures.
• Good standard of written English. Able to write letters and reports in plain language.
• Methodical and organised approach to task management.
• Able to organise own work, work to deadlines and work under pressure.
• Accurate data handling, attentive to detail.
• Able to deal confidently with people at all levels.
• Good team player.
Desirable
• Experience of working in a customer service environment.
• Recent experience working in a social housing or estate management environment.
• Proficient in the use of IT including Microsoft Office Professional.
• Experience of dealing directly with customers.
• Experience of working as part of multi-skilled team to provide an integrated service to customers.
• Understanding of issues affecting social housing and tenants of social housing.