Neighbourhood Relations Officer

Experience the extraordinary with a move to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC).

Ranked in the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK, and in Lonely Planet as one of the best places to visit in the world, Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit. 

Based in our offices in the heart of Folkestone, you’ll have easy access to transport links including HS1, Folkestone’s regenerated town centre, the seafront and old town creative quarter, and our extraordinary and vibrant landscapes and communities.  

Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a real focus on supporting career development, wellbeing and family friendly initiatives, and a hybrid agile working culture that enables flexible and remote/home working.

You can also expect an excellent benefits package that includes corporate membership, discount and salary sacrifice schemes, reimbursement of professional membership fees, up to 31 days holiday and Christmas closure, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and much, much more.

The role

We are looking for someone to support the work of the Neighbourhood Services team by leading for the team on our neighbour conflict and anti-social behaviour services.

You will take the lead on our anti-social behaviour casework, responding to reports of anti-social behaviour, and managing cases through to conclusion.

You will have excellent knowledge of all the available tools for resolving problems of anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes, focussing on informal and creative resolutions, where enforcement action is a last resort.

You will also act as team ‘specialist’ and provide support, advice and training to our Neighbourhood Officer and Independent Living (sheltered housing) Officers, and you will contribute to the development of our policy and procedures in this area.

You will work from our offices in Folkestone at least two days per week, as well as from home, but you will be expected to spend a large part of your working week out on the patch.

Further details of the role can be found in the attached job description.

About You

The key qualifications, skills and experience required for this role:

• Experience of responding to reports of anti-social behaviour and managing a caseload.
• Excellent knowledge of, and experience of using, legal and non-legal solutions to anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes.
• Great communication skills and the ability to work positively in a wide range of situations.
• Excellent attention to detail and to high quality record keeping.
• Excellent organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple cases.
• Confidence when dealing with difficult situations and difficult conversations.
• A friendly and approachable personality with the ability to form good working relationships with colleagues and customers.
• A creative, problem-solving attitude, and a willingness to spend time out on the patch interacting with tenants, leaseholders and other residents.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Tom Harding (Neighbourhood Services Manager) at Tom.Harding@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk to arrange a phone call.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 9.00am on Monday 3^rd February 2025.  

Interviews will take place on Monday 10^th February 2025.