Careers with Plymouth Community Homes
At Plymouth Community Homes, we help people to help themselves – and enable them to make it happen. By working together, we can create communities we love.
We know that our staff make things happen and our high standards mean we ask a lot of our staff.
Qualifications, competency, and experience must be complemented by flexibility, enthusiasm and a willingness to grasp opportunities as they arise, together with a passion to succeed.
You can expect on-going career development, team support and a work culture that strives for excellence. Our people work in a wide range of jobs – from housing officers to multi-skilled operatives and accountants to HR advisors. Here, some of them explain a little bit more about their roles.
What can be difficult about the job? The breadth of tasks covered by the Project, Performance and Policy team means there never seems to be enough time.
Where would you like to go from here? There is still a lot the current PPP team needs to do, so Iʼm happy focussing on that for now!
Can you give us a top tip for working in your role? Good project management, organisation and attention to detail are very important in the role as well as the ability to think through issues to find and implement solutions.
Liz Phillips
Head of Projects Performance and Policy
What do you like about your job? I like the huge variety and opportunity to be involved in lots of activities which are aiming to improve services for our customers.
How did you get into this role? I joined PCH at the beginning of 2011, and saw this job as a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation which is really moving forward and making a difference for our customers. I have previously worked in the social housing sector for many years with the Housing Corporation /Tenant Services Authority.
My typical day – Scope out the next project, or check progress on current projects
– Work with the team or other staff members on a current project, for example, the project to measure and map all the grass areas owned by PCH in preparation for PCH carrying out its own grounds maintenance
– Analyse information and data, and produce performance reports
– Work on developing policy for Homes and Neighbourhoods
– Lots of meetings and working with others across PCH, such as the Money Tree Fund project group
results for my customers and PCH. Rent collection is my key role and this is not an easy task. How did you get into this role? I joined Plymouth City Council at 18 and transferred over to PCH. I started as a filing clerk in the housing department and worked my way up.
Where would you like to go from here? I enjoy my job role but would like to be able to put my experience to use by managing a small team.
Cheryl Davies
Housing Officer
What do you like about your job? I like helping tenants sustain their tenancies and managing my area in Devonport. I like meeting new people and looking at the best ways of maximising income.
What can be difficult about the job? It is difficult when tenants are on a low income and struggle to deal with financial demands and pay their rent. My job role is very demanding and requires good management skills while working proactively and resourcefully to get the best possible
Can you give us top tips for working in the housing sector? My top tips would be to think outside of the box and explore all avenues to assist my tenants with their financial demands.
I am a firm but fair housing officer who has built up a good relationship with my customers.
Be approachable and sensitive to the difficulties customers face but also follow policies and procedures to help maintain a structured way of working making sure everyone is financially included.
My typical day – Check rent accounts in arrears and chase tenants for payments via telephone /text, home visiting, etc
– Assist in housing benefit applications and give help on all welfare and benefit issues
– Apply for funding where possible and make applications to the county court for possession
How did you get into this role? My background is in senior finance roles. I have also worked in the notfor-profit sector for charities, regulators and housing associations.
What can be difficult about the job? It can be complicated. It requires my teams to apply themselves 100% to the routine parts but also to think and manage risks on a daily basis. There is also a large volume of work and real deadlines which have to be met by law. Despite our best efforts it can be difficult when there are unforeseen glitches, but we have a dedicated team which do not give up.
Nick Jackson
Director of Business Services and Manufacturing
What do you like about your job? I love a wide range of aspects. Although a large part of my job is to make sure finances, IT and procurement run smoothly I see these as an essential part of making sure that front line services can do their job without worrying about whether money is available or the computers work. I also love the variety in my job. In taking on our manufacturing arm there is a whole new dimension to my directorate, where we produce high quality products which make a direct difference to the communities of Plymouth.
Where would you like to go from here? I currently have no aspirations beyond this job. Thereʼs an exciting time ahead in the next five years which I want to be part of.
Can you give us a tip for working in the business services and manufacturing sector? Be passionate, be organised and never give up.
My typical day – Arrive at 8:30am and touch base with senior staff
– Review meetings
– In between review Board papers, strategies, legal documents and discuss key decisions/issues with senior managers
– Visit another site at least once a week – Respond to e-mails
What can be difficult about the job? As each new day brings different challenges, sometimes it can be a case of juggling priorities and trying to get everything covered to ensure the work is completed for each area we support within the business.
Where would you like to go from here? I am still constantly learning within my role. I have only been in post for ten months so there are still various challenges ahead and new experiences to face. I am not currently looking to progress further.
Kate Whiteman Admin Team Leader
What do you like about your job? Interaction with various staff and departments which I feel is important to strengthen relationships and keep the lines of communication open. I enjoy the fact that my job is varied and no two days are the same.
How did you get into this role? I have worked in an admin environment for 16 years since leaving full time education and it is an area I have always enjoyed. I had been an administrative assistant within the Fort Austin admin team for five years before this opportunity came up.
Can you give us a top tip for working in the building and technical sector? You must be organised and have a methodical approach to work. Accuracy and attention to detail is paramount as we deal with various information related to payment details, wages and bonus schemes. You need to be a people person and approachable because we deal with different staff and operatives. My typical day – Communicating any updates to my team
– Dealing with staffing issues, requests for leave, absence, one-to-one meetings
– Issuing and reconciling petty cash and credit card transactions
– Recording and monitoring sickness information – Ensuring the day to day running of the admin team
employed within the management accounts team and successfully gained a position within the financial team as a balance sheet accountant shortly after transfer. What can be difficult about the job? Part of my role is monitoring the cash position for PCH, which can be quite challenging. I must be aware of the expected income and expenditure across the business to ensure there is cash available and sufficient funds are drawn down on time.
Kelly Auton
Balance Sheet Accountant
What do you like about your job? I enjoy working with figures and reconciling which is very important in my role. Monitoring PCH cash position on a daily basis also allows me to have a good knowledge of what is happening across the company. The finance team is also a great team to work in. We all have good working relationships which makes my job very enjoyable.
How did you get into this role? I have always worked in finance and have been a part of PCH since the transfer in 2009. I was previously
Where would you like to go from here? I would like to continue within my current role, gain more knowledge on treasury management and possibly look to specialise in this area.
Can you give us a top tip for working in the financial sector? A top tip of working within the finance team is attention to detail and to enjoy reconciling figures on a daily basis.
My typical day – Checking and informing the Finance Director of the cash balance
– Reconciling and posting transactions to the open accounts finance system – Making payments to suppliers as required
– Prioritising workload to make sure all tasks can be achieved and important deadlines are met
– Monitor and update the cash flow forecasts across PCH and the subsidiary companies
degree in BSC (Hons) Housing Management. I have worked in the field for 19 years and seen many changes. We settled in Plymouth because it is a good place to raise a family.
What can be difficult about the job? The pace can be extremely fast but I like the challenge and have found that I am constantly evolving to adapt to the changes.
Paul McGarry
Senior Housing Officer What do you like about your job? I love the fact that no two days are the same. I particularly enjoy the range of work. As a naturally positive person, I enjoy encouraging and motivating my staff. I relish the chance to deal with the public regularly rather than being mainly office-based. How did you get into this role? I always wanted a role involving peopleʼs welfare. At university, I opted to study housing over community development work and social care. In 1993 aged 22, I graduated with a 2.1
Where would you like to go from here? I am very happy with my work. I would not particularly wish to progress to a job if it meant losing contact with the public as my best skills are in dealing with people. However given my experience in the field I would certainly apply for career progression if the role could be rewarding. Can you give us a top tip for working in Homes & Neighbourhoods? You must have a strong disposition and be approachable and diplomatic to be successful in this field. Keeping a sense of humour and staying positive helps. My typical day – Hold one-to-one meetings with Housing Officers
– Deal with staffing issues and being available for advice and support
– Complete a report
– Interview members of the public who may be dissatisfied with elements of the service
– Attend meeting with other parts of the business to ensure that shared goals and aspirations are being met
Sheree James Apprentice Painter and Decorator
What do you like about your job? As an apprentice I enjoy learning new skills, I like working on the various different properties and meeting new people from different backgrounds. How did you get into this role? I have always wanted to learn a trade so I applied to PCH for an apprenticeship in decorating.
Explain your job role in one or two sentences I work alongside a tradesman to learn and repair properties so they are ready to rent out.
Where would you like to go from here? Continue to develop and learn different skills and qualify as a painter and decorator. Eventually I would like to start up my own business.
Can you give us a top tip for working in the building sector? You need to be patient and be committed to the work. Having a positive attitude and approach to customer care also helps.
My typical day – Collect materials from the stores
– Go to the jobs that come through on the handhelds for the multi-trade operative you are working with
– Work alongside them to get the job done whilst also learning from them
Tom Martin Apprentice Electrician
What do you like about your job? I like the variety because Iʼm learning all about electrical work from qualified tradespeople. I also enjoy my day a week at college, learning the theory and meeting apprentices from other companies.
How did you get into this role? Iʼve always been a practical person and I decided I wanted to be an electrician. I applied when I saw the apprentice electrician role advertised and went to City College Plymouth to take the entry assessments. When I was successful at interview I was really chuffed. What can be difficult about the role? Sometimes it is difficult to remember everything youʼre being taught but you always have opportunities to practise and to show you are learning.
Where would you like to go from here? Iʼd like to qualify, do well at college and at work and be a good electrician for PCH.
Can you give us a top tip for working in the Building and Technical Services Team? Be positive and committed to doing a good job. As an apprentice if youʼre not sure ask a colleague – because everyone around you is happy to help. My typical work day – Collect materials from the stores
– Go to the jobs that come through on the handhelds for the multi-trade operative you are working with
– Work alongside them to get the job done whilst also learning from them
My typical college day – Go to City College one day per week
– Functional skills training – Theory training
– Practical training
If you are interested in finding out more about careers with Plymouth Community Homes, please go to www.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk
Plymouth Community Homes Princess Court 23 Princess Street Plymouth PL1 2EX
Telephone: 0800 694 3101 Email: recruitment@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk Web: www.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk
Charitable Industrial and Provident Society Registration No: 30637R