HOUSING specialist - PUblic housing program
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour
Schedule: M-F, 7:30am-4:30pm
General Description: The Housing Specialist works directly with families assisted or in process of being assisted by the Public Housing Program. From inquiry, to initial application, to leasing, to interim and annual recertification; the Housing Specialist is always the primary point of contact and support. Daily duties include both administrative and direct service activities which play an integral role in providing humanizing, loving, and committed support to the families we have the opportunity to serve.
To learn more about the Public Housing Program, visit:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph’
Key Responsibilities:
Performing a variety of administrative, technical, direct support, and occasional field tasks serving families in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Public Housing Program.
Assisting new applicants in developing understanding of the program and completing initial applications for housing assistance.
Meeting with applicants to determine eligibility which includes assessing assets & income, family composition, and other elements established by federal guidelines.
Reviewing family information and history to determine eligibility for program participation.
Communicating application acceptance or denial to applicants in accordance with all established federal, state, and local regulations.
Maintaining Waiting List of approved applicants.
Preparing and executing leases for vacant apartments within prescribed timeframe.
Conducting meetings with new participants to explain all program elements including regulations, Fair Housing standards, participant responsibilities, lease obligations, and other important factors of program participation.
Calculating tenant rent amounts in order to meet program guidelines, help participants understand and navigate the program with success, and respond to partner inquiries and requests.
Processing monthly rent, charges, security deposits, credits, and delinquencies.
Preparing, executing, and monitoring tenant repayment agreements as needed.
Performing regular property condition inspections and housekeeping & sanitation inspections.
Creating maintenance work orders to address unit deficiencies.
Conducting tenant end of participation procedures.
Preparing legal materials as needed.
Performing all administrative tasks involved with effectively maintaining a caseload of families served.
Performing scheduled reexaminations of participant eligibility and assistance, as well as performing interim examinations as participants experience changes in household income and composition.
Maintaining and updating all required information in our database.
Completing quality control assessments of work completed by members of the Public Housing Program team.
Resolving errors in completed work in order to enable timely submission of necessary information to federal tracking systems.
Participating in informal review/appeal hearings as needed.
Completing internal tracking reports in a thorough and timely manner.
Attending training as requested.
Participating in regular team and individual meetings.
Responding to communications from assisted families, applicants, partnering agencies, partnering property owners/managers, and all other relevant parties in a timely, thorough, and respectful manner.
Performing all work duties and activities in accordance with Municipal Housing Agency (MHA) policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
Working in a safe manner, adhering to safety protocols, and reporting unsafe activity and conditions.
Other duties as assigned by the Public Housing Manager.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Excellent customer service skills and desire to provide service that is humanizing, loving, and committed at all times.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
Functional knowledge using computers, email, and Microsoft office.
Willingness to learn and attend training as needed or requested.
Prior knowledge of federal housing program regulations, HUD regulations, and the Public Housing Program will be considered. Desire and willingness to learn in these areas is an expectation of the role.
General principles and best practices of office management.
Problem solving skills and the ability to work creatively with team members and program participants to find solutions to provide the best service possible.
Minimum Qualifications:
High School diploma or GED equivalency and (2) two years of experience in a closely related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work effectively.
Computer and software experience in a related background.
Precise and accurate documentation skills.
Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
A proven/verifiable history of reliability.
Work Environment
The person holding this position will generally work in an office environment.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to occasionally lift-up to 20 pounds.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work*
This is a full-time position. Regular hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Travel is primarily local during the business day between housing units and to partner offices, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel for training may be required.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change by MHA Management to fit the Mission of the MHA.
Competencies and Characteristics of a Successful Candidate
A. Ethical Conduct: Adheres with the rules and standards set by the Municipal Housing Agency and federal, state and local laws for housing authorities
B. Client Focused: Committed to the understanding of client needs and successfully applying them to MHA programs and project development
Benefits:
The Municipal Housing Agency offers an extensive benefits package which includes:
Enrollment in the IPERS Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (see ipers.org)
All federal holidays, plus additional holiday designated by the agency, as paid time off
Health, dental, and vision insurance; with significant portions of employee and dependent premiums covered by the agency
Paid vacation and sick leave
Paid parental leave
Short and long term disability insurance
Paid life insurance policy
Paid training and paid training time off
One paid day off during the month of the employee's birthday
One annual floating personal paid day off
Salary: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person at the Regal Towers Public Housing Community.