Vacancies

Traveller Liaison Officer

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Northants Traveller Unit (NTU) as a Traveller Liaison Officer (TLO).

The NTU attends and manages all unauthorised encampments on Council owned land across the whole of Northamptonshire.

The role involves all aspects of managing Gypsy and Traveller encampments from when groups or individuals arrive, including visiting, negotiating, and handling all complaints. Also organising waste collections, preparation of legal documents, attendance at Court as well as carrying out evictions.

The TLO role also involves advising on policy and assisting in the management of development projects to support the Gypsy and Traveller communities, including provision of assistance to enable access to services and entitlements.

The NTU will be looking to further develop this role in the future, as part of a wider review of the team and its duties.

What will you be doing?

To investigate complaints around Gypsy and Traveller unauthorised encampments and associated nuisance.
To gather and prepare evidence for legal proceedings including eviction.
Contribute towards the development of NTU policies to ensure that they are effective.
Provide information and advice on the Gypsy and Traveller community across the county to officers, elective members and submit or contribute to reports as necessary.
Work at a countywide level to contribute to development and project work with other agencies.
Establish effective links and networks with all key partners to promote harmony including the Gypsy and Traveller Community.
Represent the NTU in local, regional, and national forums as requested and keep abreast of new developments.
To assist with the improvement and development of existing Permanent and Transit Gypsy Sites.
To maintain clear factual records in connection with the duties of the NTU and to prepare reports, letters, statistics, and other correspondence with other local authorities.
To ensure that reasonable care is always taken for the health, safety, and welfare of you and other persons and to comply with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the job as directed by the Northants Travellers Unit Manager or nominee.

About you

Experience of working with the Gypsy and Traveller community.
Experience of the successful preparation of legal proceedings including unauthorised encampments and with Gypsies and Travellers.
A clear awareness of the emerging National and Regional agenda facing the Gypsy and Traveller community.
Understanding of the needs and lack of opportunities specifically in relation to the Gypsy and Traveller community.
Experience of developing channels of communication and positive working relationships between Gypsies, Travellers, partner agencies, private, public, and voluntary organisations.

Our benefits

We offer:

a competitive salary
a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

About us

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

helping people live active fulfilled lives
caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
enabling a thriving and successful economy
leading on a green and sustainable environment
ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.

We are undertaking consultation with the Trade Unions on terms and conditions and the future NNC pay structure and during this time are appointing new employees on interim spot salaries. You will be advised of the outcome and any impact on your role once this work is complete.