As the charitable subsidiary of West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA), Willowacre Trust’s overarching aim is to tackle social and economic disadvantage and impact on tenancy sustainment within the communities served by WSHA. We want a staff team and Board that shares our values and puts customers at the centre of service delivery

Willowacre Trust are looking for new Advice Officer – Energy who share our values and will use them to guide the way they work on a daily basis.

At WSHA, we pride ourselves on being more than just a landlord. With over 60 years of history and more than 4,500 homes across the West of Scotland, our mission is to listen, adapt, and improve the lives of our customers.

Our values - respect, inclusive, integrity, improvement and support - guide everything we do.

We’re also proud of our people:

• 84% of staff say WSHA is a great place to work
• 40 days annual leave, plus hybrid flexibility
• Investors in People Gold accreditation, reflecting our dedication to wellbeing
• Free access to a comprehensive Employee Support Service
• Healthcare plan for you and your family
• Cycle to work scheme and secure bike storage
• Free flu jags and annual health checks

About the Role

The Advice Officer – Energy will offer support to people in need of energy advice who are residing in the communities served by WSHA. The Advice Worker – Energy plays an integral role in our offer of support and will be expected to embrace a holistic approach to supporting customers. This support aims to positively impact the capacity of individuals and households by assisting them to sustain their home through the provision of practical, accessible and person-centred energy advice services.

This approach focuses on prevention and early intervention by helping customers to reduce fuel poverty, understand and manage household energy use, access appropriate tariffs and payment options, improve confidence in dealing with suppliers, and connect to wider support including income maximisation, debt advice and hardship funding where appropriate

You will play a key role in:

• Providing energy advice services to people individually and in group settings through home visits, accessible community settings, digital platforms, information events, office appointments and telephone enquiries
• Supporting customers to understand energy bills, compare tariffs, consider switching suppliers where appropriate, and make informed choices about safe and affordable energy options.
• Support vulnerable households to better understand and manage household energy systems and appliances, including heating controls, thermostats, boiler programming, meter issues and condensation, helping them to maintain a safe, warm and energy-efficient home
• Maximising customer income and household resilience by identifying and applying for grant funding to provide energy vouchers, funds towards energy bills and funds to help clear energy debt.

About You

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly, accurately and sensitively
• Good IT skills including Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, Teams and case recording or database systems such as Advice Pro
• Experience of delivering energy advice, information, guidance and support directly to customers individually and in group settings
• Experience of working with individuals to develop outcomes-based support plans which promote household resilience, reduce fuel poverty and support wellbeing
• Knowledge and understanding of energy bills, metering, tariffs, supplier switching and available grants, rebates and wider assistance schemes

Inclusive Employer

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and particularly encourage candidates from disabled, Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident organisation and guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.