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Local Housing Officer
Service Delivery

Title: Local Housing Officer - Remote Communities

Classification: LevelAO2

Status: Full time.Temporary for one year.
Base remuneration: $41,278 - $48,779per annum*
Location: Woorabinda
Closing date: 28/03/2013
* (Employer superannuation contributions of 12.75% and annual leave loading of 17.5% will be paid in addition to salary.

Department of Housing and Public Works overview

The Department of Housing and Public Works delivers community and social housing, helps people access and sustain housing in the private rental market, and manages the largest residential property portfolioin the state on behalf of the Queensland Government.

The department also supports other Queensland Government agencies in delivering services to the people of Queensland. In particular, it helps agencies build and maintain hospitals, schools, courthouses, police stations, houses and other public facilities.

The Department of Housing and Public Works consists of fourmajor areas: Housing Services; Communities’ Property Portfolio; Building, Services and Works; and Corporate and Executive Services.

About the position

Mandatory requirements: Possession of a current driver’s licence.

Applicants must live in the local area and have a good knowledge of the culture of the community recruited for.

It is a genuine occupational requirement that this position be filled by an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under, Sections 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti Discrimination Act 1991.

Within a culturally sensitive and appropriate context this position joins a high performing team to manage council housing that has transitioned to a state Remote Service Delivery Model of tenancy management in remote Indigenous communities across Queensland. The Remote Service Delivery Model includes: A supportive Practice Model of tenant engagement; living skills education; referral and service coordination and tenant/community advisory groups.

In this role it will be necessary to have an awareness and understanding of local protocols and issues impacting on people in this location in particular as they relate to housing.

LHOs perform an enabling function for tenancy management but will not be the primary tenancy management action takers. LHOs will be required to have an understanding only of departmental processes in the common areas of tenancy management including but not limited to: eligibility/entitlements; allocations; rent assessments; sign ups; arrears resolution; breaches; visitors and absences. LHOs will not be required to make determinations or decisions about tenancies but will escalate issues to senior staff for action to be taken.

The role is based in Woorabinda.

This position may require travel in light aircraft, boats and four-wheel drives to remote locations..

About the person

Principal responsibilities of this role

  • Support the provision of high quality tenancy management services to remote Indigenous communities including helping tenants to understand what their tenancy obligations by disseminating general information and responding to enquiries. Refer tenants to senior Housing Officers for specific advice and decision making.
  • Under supervision, maintain operational relationships with key local stakeholders including: support agencies; government and non-government service providers; local Council staff; and other service providers. Cooperate with other services to facilitate referrals and appropriate servicing for tenants.
  • Under supervision, support the promotion of educational messages to tenants on aspects of housing and Living Skills with the objective of tenants improving their ability to sustain their tenancies and improve their living circumstances in social housing.
  • Identify cases of breaches of tenancy agreements and escalate these to the Senior Housing Officer for resolution. Support tenants to understand their tenancy obligations including arrears.
  • Undertake and prepare a range of communication (both written and oral) to support service delivery within legislative requirements and housing policy.
  • Use housing software systems to update tenant records and other basic tenancy management system processes under supervision.
  • Undertake training to enhance your skill base and apply that training to improve service delivery in the community/ies responsible for.
  • Participate in client service visits, property condition inspections, assist clients with maintenance requirements and associated documentation.
  • Work in partnership with clients and the community, support agencies and other service areas.
  • Communicate effectively and sensitively with people from different cultural backgrounds, particularly Aboriginal people and Torres Strait islander people, to develop and foster quality relationship.

Working relationships in this role

This position reports to a Senior Housing Officer who reports to a Client Service Manager

How will you be assessed for this Role?

The Department of Housing and Public Works is seeking people who are capable of contributing to the organisation and the Queensland community across 5 core capabilities. These capabilities are based on the Queensland Public Service (QPS) Capability and Leadership Framework (QPS CLF).

Supports strategic direction / Supports shared purpose and direction: Understands and supports the organisation's vision, mission and business objectives. Follows direction provided by supervisor. Recognises how own work contributes to the achievement of team goals. Understands the reasons for decisions and recommendations.
Achieves results / Identifies and uses resources wisely: Monitors task progress against performance expectations. Alerts supervisor early if work is behind schedule. Makes effective use of own capabilities.
Supports productive working relationships / Nurtures internal and external relationships: Builds and sustains positive relationships with team members and clients. Actively participates in teamwork and activities. Responds under direction to changes in client needs and expectations.
Displays personal drive and integrity / Commits to action: Takes personal responsibility for accurate completion of work and seeks assistance when required. Commits energy and drive to see that goals are achieved.
Communicates with influence / Listens, understands and adapts to audience: Adapts communication style and approach to ensure they address the needs of different people or audiences. Listens carefully to others and checks to ensure their views have been understood. Checks own understanding of others’ comments.
Job Specific / A Mandatory Requirement of the position is that applicants are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, live in the local area and have a good knowledge and understanding of the local culture.

About your application

Applicants are requested to provide a cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining how their knowledge and experience relate to the 6 core capabilities of the role together with a current resume (work history). Please ensure the names of at least two referees have been included.

Applicants are required to read the attached ‘Important Information for Applicants’ document.

Email your statement of claims and resume to

Posted applications are to be sent to: Theresa Brogan,Rockhampton Housing Service Centre, PO Box 1330, ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4700

For enquiries about the position, please contact Jodie Ambrey, Rockhampton Housing Service Centre. Ph: 4938 4083 or email

This application will be retained for a period of 12months and can be considered if similar suitable vacancies arise in that time.

IMPORTANT - Any documents you submit electronically must be in either PDF format or Microsoft Word - documents sent in other formats cannot be read by the people assessing your application. Please do not submit your application using zipped files.

Additional information

This role description outlines the minimum outcomes required for the position and for employment. Applications will remain current for 12 months. For further enquiries regarding this advertised vacancy and the associated selection process please contact Jodie Ambrey, Rockhampton Housing Service Centre on 4938 4083. If you wish to access further information regarding the Department of Housing and Public Works, you can visit our website, which is located at

External applicants or general employees appointed to this position will have their appointment confirmed following satisfactory performance during a probationary period of up to 12 months in accordance with the Public Service Act 2008.

Capability and Leadership Framework (CLF): This framework assists to assess merit for ALL Public Sector (PS) roles. The CLF assists to clarify the capabilities, capability components and behaviours expected of the officer filling this role. The CLF enables all employees to identify the key capabilities required of them in their current role. It also helps employees to identify which skills to develop to advance to a higher role. The framework consists of five capabilities and associated components and behavioural indicators. Further information on the CLF can be accessed at

Skills Frameworks for the Information Age (SFIA):Within government, the SFIA capability frameworkassists to assess merit for all Public Sector, ICT-related roles. SFIA is a competency framework that describes the ICT skills needed to fulfil the range of roles within the ICT field.

Smoking: A non-smoking policy is effective in Queensland Government buildings, offices and motor vehicles.

Pre-Appointment Checks: The successful applicant will be required to undertake the following checks:

  • mandatory qualifications: provision of evidence of meeting mandatory qualification requirements [if required]
  • employment eligibility: proof of eligibility for appointment to the Queensland Public Sector - includes key residency and/or visa/citizenship requirements [if required]
  • criminal history: a Criminal history check is required for this role

All information provided will be used to assist in determining the applicant’s suitability and merit for the advertised role and any similar role advertised in the next 12 months. This information is subject to the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009.

Department of Housing and Public WorksDate of document or version number (optional)