Job Title: Project Worker - Summerhill Village

Organisation

United Housing Co-operative Ltd. (UHC) is a middle tier Registered Housing Provider operating as a rental housing co-operative, that manages secure and affordable rental housing in the western and northern metropolitan regions of Melbourne. UHC is a member-based co-operative governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of 7 member directors and 2 non-member directors, with a staff team of 5.3 EFT positions.

UHC is an innovative, not for profit organisation that provides sustainable housing for diverse range of low-income households including families and singles, in its unique co-operative housing model where the household head is both a tenant and member of UHC, with a range of responsibilities and benefits.

UHC is in the process of finalising construction works of the ‘Summerhill Village’, a 49-apartment community housing development, in partnership with the Lions Club of Footscray, funded under the State Labor Government’s Big Housing Build program.

The development is due for completion in June 2025. UHC will have total responsibility for property, tenancy and financial management of the Village.

At that time UHC’s property portfolio will be 221 properties, consisting of :

- 161 properties leased from Director of Housing;

- 32 properties owned by United Housing Co-operative and

- 29 properties leased from Lions Club of Footscray, joint owner of the Summerhill Village. UHC also owns a Multi-Purpose Community Facility at the Summerhill Village.

UHC works from a community based, social justice perspective and seeks to nurture a culture founded on collaboration, quality of service delivery and tenant member empowerment. The expectation is all staff members are open, flexible and responsive to new ideas and ways of working and actively supportive of each other as part of the staff team and the broader co-operative tenancy membership, in achieving the best outcomes for UHC.

The Summerhill Village Project Worker will maintain regular contact with the CEO and members of the UHC staff team, while having a level of independence to meet project objectives.

Position Overview

This position is a fixed term contract position with a tentative start date of 1 July 2025. The specific focus of the project is the establishment of the soon to be completed ‘Summerhill Village', 68 to 78 Summerhill Road, West Footscray an innovative co-operative housing village.

Project focus is:

- Defects Management.

- Facilities & Contract Management.

- Assist in moving of new tenant members into the Village.

- Assist tenant member to arrange modifications with Support Agencies i.e. grab rails.

- Establishing systems.

- Assisting new tenant members in establishing their apartments.

Key Responsibilities

§ Defects Management – resolve any problems with fixtures and fittings with reference to construction defects contract and product warranties;

- Liasie with Devco Project and Construction Management contacts.

§ Facilities Management – assist in establishing:

- Recycling and Rubbish systems, Store Rooms, Communications Room and external communal areas.

§ Contract Management

- Lift, Fire Services, Utilities, Cleaning etc.

§ Establishing systems including access to and use of Multi Purpose Facility, developing an emergency response and evacuation plan.

§ Facilitation of tenant member alterations with Support Services i.e. grab rails

§ Setting up office in Multi Purpose Facility - internet/phones/copier

§ Assisting tenant members in establishing tenancies and orientation of the Village facilities, in collaboration with UHC staff members and tenant members where required.

§ Work collaboratively with staff to commence Place Making process.

§ Provide regular reports to CEO.

Reports to:

UHC’s Chief Executive Officer

Internal Contacts

CEO

Tenancy Coordinator

Property Coordinator

External Contacts

§ Devco Constructions Project Manager and Site Manager

§ Homes Victoria

§ Lions Club of Footscray

Other

All UHC employees including casual staff and project workers are expected to:

§ comply with all UHC policies and procedures;

§ comply with all occupational health and safety legislation and regulations;

§ comply with all other Commonwealth and State legislation relevant to the organisation;

§ work in a collaborative fashion with UHC Board members, staff and stakeholders;

§ uphold and enhance the reputation of UHC;

§ maintain the highest level of integrity in the conduct of UHC business.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Requirements

§ A relevant qualification and or sound experience in property management.

§ An understanding of the housing related issues confronting people on lower incomes, especially older persons including CALD.

§ Hands on, can do attitude

§ Excellent people skills and high level verbal and written communications skills for range of audiences.

§ Good organisational skills and an ability to meet deadlines.

§ Sound office administration and a good level of computer literacy in PC based software, particularly the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

§ Experience in working with Government Departments and Builders.

§ An understanding of establishing and nurturing community in a medium density environment.

§ Ability to work autonomously in communication with CEO.

Other (Desirable)

§ Knowledge of the broader community housing sector.

§ Good working knowledge of Victorian Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic)

§ Familiarity with CHINTARO property maintenance data base or similar Data base software and Excel spreadsheets.

Other Requirements

§ A Current Victorian driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

§ A Criminal Records clearance.

§ An Australian Business Number.

Project Hours and Remuneration

The following conditions are subject to negotiation and review

- Up to 30 hours per week with flexibility

- $60 per hour.

- Project Worker submit monthly invoices for reimbursement of project fees and work-related expenses with receipts.

Office Arrangements

Project Worker will primarily be based at Summerhill Village site office, with attendance at UHC Yarraville office 1A Ballarat Street, Yarraville, as required by CEO.

Applications sent to:

Peter Sibly

CEO

United Housing Co-operative Ltd.

[email protected]

Closing date

Monday 9th June 2025.