Dot Dot Dot - Improving lives in a housing crisis
Our team is focused on improving lives in a housing crisis by turning properties that would otherwise sit empty, into inexpensive housing. And, because we’re all about making a social impact, the people we house - our guardians - make a commitment to volunteer for good causes each month. Since 2011, we have housed over 2,191 people and supported them to give tens of thousands of hours of voluntary help to a diverse range of charitable causes.
We work with local councils, housing associations, charities and trusts, giving them confidence that their buildings are well cared for while they are awaiting regeneration or sale.
We use the property guardian model to achieve social impact, but are also disrupting the property guardian industry, working to push up standards.
We are one of Britain’s largest social enterprises
Collectively, our guardians have given time worth £6.8m to good causes since 2011; that’s the equivalent of one person working full-time for more than 283 years.
A good deal of the volunteering our guardians do happens because they are kind people who want to make a difference, and would do so whether or not they were housed by Dot Dot Dot.
However, we dug into the numbers and worked out that more than £2.6m of the value of the time guardians have given to charity is directly due to our efforts. That’s £2.6m contributed to the charitable sector that wouldn’t exist without Dot Dot Dot and its guardians.
We are recognised as a leader in our field
We were named in NatWest’s SE100 Index of leading UK social enterprises. We are also one of the Big Issue’s top 100 Changemakers and a Nesta ‘New Radical’ - naming us among the organisations doing the most to address society’s most pressing problems.
Why this role is important
This role is critical to our operations, allowing us to respond flexibly and effectively to the changing needs of our guardians, clients and properties, and ensuring that every property we take on is delivered to our high standards and is swiftly filled with friendly, responsible guardians.
Job description
Property and Guardian Assistant
We are looking for someone to join our field team, supporting our core team with a range of on-site tasks at properties around London as well as throughout the UK. You might be evaluating new properties, organising access for contractors, or inspecting occupied properties to ensure that everything is in order.
You will:
- Carry out inspections at guardian properties to identify any property or conduct concerns, reporting back and helping to implement solutions in consultation with colleagues.
- Facilitate access for contractors, clients, or guardians as required and communicate important information to and from Dot Dot Dot’s core operational team.
- Assist with property mobilisation tasks such as reading and resetting utility meters, putting up signs or notices, cutting and tagging keys and carrying out small tidying or repair tasks.
- Triage new properties, carrying out checks and testing to inform our mobilisation efforts.
- Assist with handbacks of properties to clients, maintaining our reputation as a reliable and high quality security provider.
- Assist the core team with administrative functions to follow up on reports, including liaising with guardians and/or contractors.
- Record activities, observations and issues using a range of platforms including Fastfield, Slack, Fixflo and Salesforce.
- Attend Dot Dot Dot’s office for briefings and meetings and for key management processes.
You’re likely to be able to demonstrate experience of, or aptitude for, much of the following:
- Interest in our mission and values as an organisation, as well as the housing sector as a whole.
- Resourceful and proactive approach - Property and Guardian Assistants experience new places, people and problems every day and the ability to find practical solutions or seek out advice is critical.
- Responsibility and trustworthiness - able to take responsibility for the safety and security of people and buildings and to give confidence to guardians and to clients.
- Organisation and good attention to detail - someone who prepares in advance, prioritises work and schedules effectively, and ensures that every detail is properly addressed and recorded.
- Confidence in and enthusiasm for meeting people, with good interpersonal skills and a friendly, professional manner.
- IT literacy - able to use or willingness to learn to use Google, Salesforce, Slack and other platforms.
- Basic property maintenance/DIY skills, or the willingness to learn. For example, how to change lightbulbs, test fire alarms, bleed radiators, locate and turn off a stopcock, and cap off plumbing. Training will be provided for all tasks required of the role.
As well as the opportunity to see your work making a tangible difference, in this role you will benefit from a pleasant, friendly company environment, a competitive salary, ongoing training and terms of employment which aim to support a good work-life balance.
Location: Dot Dot Dot’s office in Stratford, London E15 with onsite work across greater London and the South-East.
Pay: £15.67 per hour including travel time.
Hours: Hours are flexible and vary week to week. Work schedules are usually agreed on a weekly basis according to organisation need and worker availability. Work could be across a full day or part day. Some evening work may be required from time to time.
Benefits: Flexible working hours, travel and food allowance while working onsite, discount on licence fees in Dot Dot Dot properties, monthly company breakfasts.
