Join a team committed to making a positive difference in people’s lives and communities!
About the Job
Working with our non-profit housing and community partners, the Applications Assistant helps connect people in need of affordable housing with a range of housing options.
What is the Applications Assistant job like?
Working in a high volume, fast-paced office, you thrive on meeting the challenges of helping people. The Applications Assistant provides people in housing need with information and support to apply or find out more about BC Housing’s programs and services. You also help support the busy Applicant Services team with housing applications.
What are the benefits of being an Applications Assistant?
Your job satisfaction comes from knowing that you and your team help British Columbians in housing need. You share information about how to apply for safe, affordable and quality housing in BC. Plus, as a BC Housing employee, you’ll enjoy a fast-paced workplace with a team committed to helping others.
Who do Applications Assistant work with?
You will work with a wide range of people on the phone and in person. You help connect people in housing need, or community housing professionals, with information about BC Housing’s affordable housing programs and services. This means you may be working with family members, housing advocates, tenants, non-profit societies, housing co-ops, community groups, government offices and BC Housing staff.
Skills and qualifications
To join our team as an Applications Assistant, you’ll need experience in providing direct customer service, including explaining detailed information to the public. Previous office experience is needed and some experience in a call centre environment would also be an asset.
What skills do I need?
In addition, successful people are those who genuinely care about others and who are:
- Equipped with excellent verbal and written communication and conflict-resolution skills
- Able to deal patiently, tactfully and effectively in emotionally charged situations with clients from diverse cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds
- Detailed and accurate and flourish in a fast-paced office environment
- Good at problem solving and able to apply policies and procedures consistently in a variety of diverse situations
Successful candidates are subject to a satisfactory criminal record search and are required to maintain Security Clearance throughout their employment.
How we support you
We make sure you have what you need to succeed in your job
Being an Applications Assistant means you are supported by a team of committed people. Here’s the list of Applicant Services team supports we provide to help you deliver high-quality front-line customer service:
- A dedicated training team that provides job-specific training in a classroom setting and on-the-job
- Detailed feedback on your work to make sure you have mastered the job requirements and team needs
- A supervisor, who works with the management team, supports you and your team in meeting service levels, productivity and other goals
- A program delivery team that checks to make sure you have needed policies and program frameworks, up-to-date reference materials, plus high-level program support
- A knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming team of co-workers
Orientation & Training
Governed by our People Strategy, your work environment will reflect an organizational commitment to personal and professional development. As a BC Housing employee, you will benefit from formal coursework and informal learning opportunities to continually improve your skills.
What kind of orientation and training can I expect as an Applications Assistant?
The Applicant Services department has a designated training and audit team who will provide both classroom and on-the-job training once you join us in this role. There is a robust training plan that you will work through for the first few months in the position, as well as ongoing training to ensure you remain current in your role. You will receive a high level of feedback on your work and be well supported for success.
For Applications Assistants we offer courses on how to work effectively with applicants and other members of the public. You will be able to build on your people-management and conflict-resolution skills so that you will know, for instance, how to help a person in crisis and how to prevent situations from escalating.
Also, during the first few months on the job, you will attend Human Resources (HR) orientation sessions where you will receive the knowledge and resources that will allow you fully understand BC Housing's mandate, programs and core competencies to help you learn how your responsibilities contribute to BC Housing’s success. This orientation includes a tour of various housing developments and BC Housing’s head office. HR follows up with an onboarding interview in your sixth month.
What to expect for the recruitment process?
Once your application is submitted, the hiring manager reviews your resume. Shortlisted candidates are asked to complete a set of tests for the position. These tests are to find out skill levels for English, math, problem-solving and typing speed. Those who successfully pass the tests are then invited to a one-hour orientation to learn more about the Applications Assistant role. Soon after, applicants are invited to interview.