Housing Specialist Housing Choice Voucher Department
Classification Code: G
Position Type:Full Time
Status: Exempt
Reports to: Senior Program Manager HCVP
Position Summary:
The Housing Specialist performs his/her duties and responsibilities under the direction of the Director and/or Manager of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Individual hired is assigned a caseload and works with considerable independence in carrying out the essential functions of the position. The essential functions include determining eligibility for program participation under the Housing Choice Voucher Programs; provides information and material to participants regarding their eligibility status and the necessary procedures to be followed; and performs clerical and administrative related duties processes annual and interim recertifications of family income and continued eligibility.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Essential Functions:
This section serves to illustrate the more typical aspects of the work indicative of the classification. The primary functions of the classification are not to be considered a detailed description of every duty of each position allocated to the classification. The responsibilities and essential duties typically performed by positions allocated to this classification on a frequent and recurring basis include:
Performance Area #1
Determines initial and continued eligibility for potential housing program participation under the Voucher Program and processes documentation to substantiate eligibility following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines to provide low-income families and individuals affordable housing of their choice.
Compiles and maintains applicant files consisting of initial applications and supplemental data accumulated through verification procedures.
Responsible for interviewing applicants collecting required data and completing applications for continuing eligibility housing assistance.
Verifies information received from applicants such as income assets and allowances to include social services welfare (TANF/SNAP) childcare and medical expenses to determine continued eligibility for housing assistance or to make interim adjustments due to changes in financial circumstances of participants.
Obtains criminal background from participants and applicants to ensure housing assistance is not provided to certain criminal offenders.
Investigates reported changes in income expenses and participant status to determine if fraudulent information has been reported.
Computes subsidy payments and/or total tenant payments (TTP) in accordance to established HUD formulas and information derived from income data obtained in interviews/investigations.
Generates contracts interim changes re-certifications form letters and other client information and/or correspondence.
Enters client data into the computer software program to document changes in participant status.
Assists in the compilation and reporting of data for HUD and other reports. Researches and interprets HUD regulations.
Explains policies procedures and disseminates other rental assistance information to landlords tenants and applicants.
Other related duties as required including assignments and departmental requests.
Performance Area #2
Provides information and material to participants regarding their waiting list status eligibility status and the necessary procedures to be followed in accordance with Voucher program rules and procedures to provide or deny low-income families and individuals affordable housing.
Maintains the waiting list.
Determines eligibility when applicant is eligible for one of the housing choice voucher programs.
Creates distributes and tracks portability documentation to/from other Housing Authorities.
Distributes informational packages to applicants (if applicable).
Explains the familys requirements of the Voucher program to applicants.
Provides applicants with the landlord packet of information (if applicable).
Other related duties as required including assignments and departmental requests.
Performance Area #3
Organizes and conducts family briefings for all certified program applicants in the Voucher Program using various forms and documents following departmental guidelines and HUD regulations and guidelines to interpret and explain rules regulations policies and procedures to applicants and to assist in their search for affordable housing.
Schedules eligible applicants for the Program briefing session.
Schedule and Conduct re-certification appointments and interviews. (includes letter generation/ mail out)
Distributes packages of information to certified participants relative to the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Issues vouchers authorizing clients to rent based on Housing Subsidy Standards.
Counsels applicants regarding the size unit utility allowances and rent amount allowable under HUD guidelines.
Reviews the Voucher Program to new applicants and answers questions in the group or individual setting.
Provides applicants with a landlord packet and a list of apartment and housing listing within the County.
Other related duties as required including assignments and departmental requests.
Performance Area #4
Performs clerical and administrative related duties using the computer calculator copier telephone fax and printer. Follows the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HACFM guidelines policies and procedures to ensure the overall objectives of the department and agency are met.
Prepares new files for HCV participants relocating from one unit to another unit.
As requested assist in the preparation and analysis of the SEMAP RIM Review responses and corrective action plans.
Refers program participants to services offered by other community-based organizations.
Coordinates with landlords and participants to facilitate occupancy and resolve landlord tenant issues.
Covers front desk in the absence of the front desk attendant.
Purges participant files to maintain current data and import/convert data to merge files.
Process and document participant files concerning possible terminations from the HCV program.
Attend and participate in informal hearings.
Consults with other housing districts regarding billing and case progress of portables residing in and out of the HACFM housing jurisdiction.
Consults with landlords regarding repeated violations of the dwelling lease agreement and Voucher program.
Perform Quality Control Functions (if applicable).
Determine and process income summaries for repayment agreements.
Other related duties as required including assignments and departmental requests.
Competencies:
To perform the job successfully an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
ETHICS Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
PROBLEM SOLVING Works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
CUSTOMER SERVICE Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to request for service and assistance; meets commitments.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Focuses on solving conflict not blame; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remain open to others ideas and tries new things.
ORAL COMMUNICATION Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
TEAMWORK Gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of the team above own interest; supports everyones efforts to succeed.
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organizations goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
JUDGEMENT Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
PROFESSIONALISM Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
ADAPTABILTIY Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change delays or unexpected events.
ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meeting and appointments on time.
DEPENDABILITY Follows instructions responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commits to long hours of work if and when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
INITIATIVE Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offer help when needed.
DIVERSITY – Ability to interact effectively with a variety of individuals and groups from varying educational ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to include being sensitive to the feelings needs and points of view of others and recognizing opportunities to improve customer relations as needed to provide and gather information gain the cooperation of others and accomplish work objectives.
Qualifications:
Knowledge of case management techniques to include maintaining separate detailed records for each program recipient as needed to provide individualized consultation and assistance to program recipients.
Knowledge of community resources available to low-income families elderly individuals and persons having disabilities as needed to refer program participants to services performed by other community-based organizations.
Knowledge of Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Voucher Program regulations and procedures to include program eligibility requirements and assistance calculations as needed to provide housing assistance.
Knowledge of the principles and procedures of financial records keeping and reporting as needed to maintain and balance program recipient assistance amounts.
Skill in interviewing and counseling to include how to establish a rapport with clients maintaining control of the situation asking probing questions analyzing the information provided and motivating clients as needed to investigate and verify information given by program recipients.
Skill in oral communication to include the use of proficient English grammar clarity explaining complex concepts on the level of the listener listening as needed to explain housing assistance procedures or request needed information.
Skill in reading at a level to comprehend HUD rules and regulations regarding the Housing Choice Voucher program and other forms and documents.
Skilled in the grammatically correct use of the English language both orally and in writing.
Skill at using office tools and equipment including the use of computer software and systems. Knowledge of Microsoft Office basic programs.
Ability to counsel program participants to include providing support and guidance as needed to meet their goals of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Ability to interpret and explain affordable housing assistance program laws rules and regulations as needed to provide information to program applicants participants and landlords.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of information of a sensitive or confidential nature to include income status and police record as needed to ensure that the duties and obligation are met regarding program participation.
Ability to maintain program records and files as needed to ensure participant information is filed in a clear concise and accurate manner.
Ability to mediate disputes and achieve resolutions to complex relationship problems and resolve questions concerning tenant/landlord obligations.
Ability to use an office computer to include keyboard layout function keys how to access and use business software as needed to create save retrieve information records and report housing assistance information.
Ability to operate various office machines such as telephone facsimile machine calculator and typewriter as needed to communicate with clients supervisor other agencies and to maintain records.
Ability to perform simple mathematical calculations with accuracy as needed to calculate and/or prorate applicant net income rent and utility allowances.
Ability to provide direction consultation and coordination as needed to ensure the compliance of federal and state housing assistance laws rules and regulations.
Ability to recognize when information has been misunderstood as needed to identify the misunderstood information and provide clarity.
Ability to work independently to include weighing the consequences of actions of decisions responding to emergencies scheduling and prioritizing work motivating oneself managing time effectively prioritizing tasks and determining when tasks require the intervention of others while managing several housing assistance cases simultaneously and meeting deadlines.
Education and Experience:
Minimum Associate degree required; Bachelors degree preferred. Two years experience in a professional environment interpreting and applying regulatory requirements and determining program eligibility. Housing Choice Voucher experience preferred. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Housing Specialist Certification preferred. Candidate must have certification or able to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
License Required:
Possession of a valid Florida drivers license. The ability to be insurable under the Agencys automobile insurance plan at the standard rate may be required.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
Full-time employment
Work hours are 7:00 am 6:00 pm Monday Thursday with 60- minute lunch
Terms of Employment:
This is an At-Will employment position.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility balance coordination vision hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed; must have ability to have prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and the ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Incumbents frequently use standard office equipment including personal computers telephone and related equipment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
It is the policy of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression age disability marital status citizenship national origin genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. HACFM prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.
The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts HACFMs right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time unless restricted by law.
