Job title:Accommodation Officer (Visiting)

Post number:CA5130

Department:Accommodation & Hospitality Services

Reports to:Accommodation Manager

Location:Moulsecoomb

Grade:4

Purpose of the role:

To be the main contact for the homestay scheme in Brighton, visiting, inspecting and assessing potential accommodation and hosts for the scheme in line with the requirements of the British Council Accreditation and university standards. Building and maintaining good relations with homestay hosts is key to the successful operation of the scheme.

The homestay scheme provides both short and long term accommodation for students in a host’s home, meals may be provided as part of the package.

The accommodation service has offices in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, and while this role is based in Brighton, the post-holder may be required to work at the other campus areas from time to time.

Line management responsibility for:Post holder will have no line management responsibility; however, the role will involve helping to supervise temporary summer assistants.

Main areas of responsibility:

  • To undertake property visits and inspections for the homestay scheme, university managed houses, and properties registered with the university
  • To ensure that any problems identified during inspection visits are recorded and reported to the property owner and monitored until appropriate remedial action has been taken and completed within predetermined timescales
  • To advise property owners about rental income and all contractual and statutory obligations arising from the use of the property, referring any complex issues to the Accommodation Manager.
  • To process payments to hosts and carry out other day to day administrative duties
  • To check that accommodation managed by or registered with the university meets and complies with standards outlined by national legislation, the local authority and university initiatives
  • To keep accurate reports of the visits and required follow-up action, ensuring the information is filed or stored in an accessible format for colleagues to refer to as required
  • To work as part of a team to provide office cover in line with departmental guidelines and opening times
  • To provide an excellent customer service to all users of the accommodation service, including students, colleagues, parents and accommodation owners or providers.
  • To respond to and deal with complaints received in the office in line with departmental procedures, referring more complex complaints to the Accommodation Manager
  • To participate in open days, house-hunting events and other events or activities to assist potential and existing students, and to promote the work of the accommodation service.
  • To help support, maintain and update the university’s web-based accommodation database and on-line booking system, inputting and extracting information as required
  • To contribute to updating and producing publications, marketing materials, the accommodation website and social media tools used by the service
  • To produce regular reports and statistics relating to the homestay scheme or other aspects of the accommodation service
  • To assist with projects and reviews by researching and collating data as required
  • To participate in staff development reviews, training and meetings as required

General responsibilities:

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge /
  • General knowledge of accommodation related matters, housing law and standards.
  • Understanding of maintenance and repair issues, able to identify basic defects in a property
  • Knowledge of students’ needs in higher education, welfare and health issues facing students or young people
  • Listening skills, with an ability to empathise with and be sensitive to the needs of others.
  • Able to understand boundaries and when to escalate matters to senior colleagues.
  • Pro-active, with a flexible, collaborative approach to working in a team.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills with an ability to present to different audiences
  • Able to get on with a wide variety of people and develop a good rapport with a range of customers
  • Possess an ability to negotiate and mediate where there are minor issues.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation including Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, and Data Protection regulations.
  • Administrative skills to be able to plan and prioritise work effectively and maintain accurate records.

Qualifications /
  • No specific qualifications are required.

Experience /
  • Experience of having worked in a similar environment.

Technical/work based skills /
  • Competency in using social media tools – for example, Facebook, twitter, and webpages.
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and databases

General requirements /
  • Willing to work occasional weekendsthroughout the year

Desirable /
  • Driving licence, car user.

  • Salary range: £21,843 to £24,565. The appointment is generally made at the bottom of the range dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum, plus public holidays and University closure days. Annual leave, including public holidays and closure days, is pro-rated for part-time staff.
  • More information about the department can be found here:
  • The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website.