Role: Community Involvement Officer
Company: Radius Housing
Track Record: A desire to work in a role that was people focused led Martin Downey to a position as a Community Involvement Officer.
HOW I BECAME A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OFFICER
Give a brief outline of your career to date:
My housing career started at South Liverpool Homes as a Housing Officer. After two years I moved back home to work for another local housing association as an Income Recovery Officer, before joining Helm Housing – now Radius Housing, following a recent merger with Fold.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I really enjoyed Sociology and English Literature.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
After four years at Ulster University I achieved a BSc in Housing Management, as well as a Diploma in Professional Studies.
How did you get into your area of work?
The Housing Management course was highly geared towards employment in the housing sector and my time on placement year really sold it to me. The thing I found most interesting about a career in housing was the vast number of roles available, which means you can find your own niche.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
I always knew I wanted to do something people focused.
I love meeting new people, dealing with challenges and issues for individuals, families and groups. We are very fortunate in the housing sector because our work can be very rewarding – finding new homes for people and helping them to cope with the financial strain that securing a home can bring can give you a great sense of satisfaction.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
While there aren’t any particular qualifications for the job, a passion for addressing housing need is essential and some experience of the sector would be beneficial. The whole team at Radius are committed to improving housing provision in Northern Ireland and that’s what makes us good at what we do.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
There are a number of routes into the housing sector, but one way that is becoming more and more common is through apprenticeships. With a reduction in the number of housing related degree courses, many organisations like Radius are now recognising the value of on the job experience and including this in their criteria for recruitment as well as qualifications.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
You must have good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively and show empathy for people in a variety of situations.
You should also be well organised, punctual and able to react to issues quickly. I always try to respond to queries first time and as rapidly as possible, in order to solve any tenant problems efficiently. Time management is also key as with so many tenants across Northern Ireland, my calendar tends to fill up quite quickly.
What does a typical day entail?
It may be cliché but there really is no typical day. One minute you are spending the afternoon with tenants dealing with their queries at their homes, and the next day you could be back in the office working on a report surrounded by policies and surveys.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best part of the job is working with a real variety of people, in both our tenants and the team at Radius who all come from a range of backgrounds and disciplines.
The most challenging aspect is keeping tenants engaged when things get tough. It can be difficult sometimes when people are facing problems or when they are unhappy with a particular issue. You often have to maintain a strong line of communication and deliver an effective service under difficult circumstances.
Why is what you do important?
Providing high quality, affordable housing for all, regardless of your situation, is what we do at Radius. Finding homes for families, individuals and those who are vulnerable in society is an extremely important task, and something we are very proud to be involved in.
My own role helps create a sense of community for our tenants and gives them a point of contact where they can engage with the association directly. This means our customers are happy in their homes and their environment.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Try to gain some experience in core housing services as it will enhance your understanding of tenants needs and the services they use from the perspective of the provider.
This will help give you a more rounded few of the sector.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
In a dream world I’d work in sport statistics or analysis.
I’m a massive sports fan and I’ve noticed how businesses and sports organisations have plenty to learn from each other. “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis and “Legacy” by James Kerr are among my favourites books.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Begin to build a rapport with every member of staff that you meet. We have a great team at Radius and everything I do requires the help of another member, so their support is vital to my work.
Describe your ideal day off.
A day that is packed with sport – both watching and participating. I’d spend the afternoon playing for my local GAA club which has proven to be a good stress release outlet. I am also lucky to have a very driven and successful group of friends and close family so spending time with them would be on the cards too.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Prepare a CV that adequately sells yourself and seek to fill any gaps you see in it. Always work on expanding your experience because in a world that can be driven by qualifications and exam results, it is important not to neglect personal, professional and social skills.