Housing Management Specialist

The Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) has a full time opening for a Housing Management Specialist I in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). The Housing Management Specialist I will perform clerical and technical work of routine difficulty involved in processing the required forms and documentation necessary to execute a Housing Assistance Program Contract between Housing Choice Voucher Program participants, landlords, and BVCOG. Routinely interacts with participants and landlords of diverse backgrounds.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Maintain Caseload: Manage a caseload of over 350 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants, ensuring timely and accurate processing of all program-related tasks.

2. Process Applicant Eligibility: Determine applicant eligibility for the HCV program, conducting interviews and verifying household income and other relevant information.

3. Certify Participant Information: Certify participants' income, assets, allowances, deductions, utilities, family composition, and other forms of verification for housing assistance and utility reimbursement, maintaining an error rate of less than 1%.

4. Generate and Adjust Housing Assistance Payments (HAP): Calculate and generate HAP contracts, adjusting payments as necessary, and process overpayments to landlords.

5. Coordinate Inspections and Execute HAP Contracts: Coordinate housing quality standard inspections with HQS Inspectors and execute HAP contracts with landlords upon receipt of approved inspection reports.

6. Process Amendments and Rent Increases: Process amendments to HAP contracts, rent increases, and family moves, ensuring timely and accurate updates to participant records.

7. Conduct Interim and Annual Reexaminations: Conduct interim and annual reexaminations of participant eligibility, income, and household composition, maintaining an error rate of less than 1%.

8. Provide Briefings and Orientation: Provide briefings and orientation to program applicants and participants, explaining program requirements, responsibilities, and benefits.

9. Perform Data Processing Functions: Perform data processing functions, including generating HUD-50058 forms, HAP contracts, and other program-related documents.

10. Coordinate Portability Processing: Coordinate with other Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) for portability processing, ensuring seamless transitions for participants transferring to or from the BVCOG jurisdiction.

11. Ensure Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Ensure compliance with Enterprise Income Verification (EIV), Public and Indian Housing Information Center (PIC), and Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) requirements, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.

12. Maintain Client File Integrity and Confidentiality: Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of client files, ensuring accurate and secure storage of sensitive information.

13. Terminate Participants and Close Files: Terminate participants from the program, close files, and review for possible termination, ensuring compliance with program regulations and policies.

14. Research and Document Potential Program Fraud and Abuse: Research and document potential program fraud and abuse, preparing documentation for fraud investigations and ensuring compliance with program regulations.

15. Respond to Inquiries and Resolve Client Concerns: Respond to inquiries from participants, landlords, and the public, resolving client concerns and providing timely and accurate information about the HCV program.

16. Translate Program Procedures to Participants: Translate program procedures and requirements to participants, ensuring clear understanding of program responsibilities and benefits.

17. Attend Training and Staff Development Sessions: Attend required training and staff development sessions, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of program regulations, policies, and procedures.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

This position requires the employee to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

• Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.

• Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; and listens effectively. Demonstrates the ability to develop audiovisual presentations to both internal and external audiences.

• Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and does fair share of work.

• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed; attends, supports, and participates in all team building exercises and events

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have:

• Interpersonal skills: Maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the public.

• Communication skills: Follow verbal and written instructions, communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

• Client service skills: Knowledge of client service principles, practices, interviewing skills, and techniques.

• Basic skills: Understanding of basic reading, writing, and mathematics.

• Problem-solving and organizational skills: Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands while meeting deadlines.

• Computer skills: Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software applications.

• Regulatory knowledge: Skill in reading, interpreting, and applying HUD rules, regulations, BVCOG policies, and procedures.

• Cultural competence: Ability to work with a diverse population.

• Decision-making and conflict resolution: Apply decision-making and conflict resolution skills.

• Professionalism: Always project a professional image and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required but preference will be given for associate degree or higher degree with college coursework in social work, sociology, or related field.

• At least two (2) years of experience in customer service, social work, counseling, or a related field is preferred.

• Bilingual speaker and writer in English and Spanish preferred.

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, and work history verification.

• Must have successfully completed and passed the Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certification or Rent Calculation course by Nan McKay or another nationally recognized approved trainer within 18 months of assuming position.

• Must have successfully completed and passed the HCV Customer Service Certification course by Nan McKay or another nationally recognized approved trainer within 18 months of assuming position.

• Must have successfully completed and passed the Ethics for Housing Professionals course by NAHRO or another nationally recognized approved trainer within 18 months of assuming position.

License and Certifications:

• Valid Texas Class “C” driver's license at the time of placement and reliable transportation.

• Must have the ability to earn certifications as required by assigned tasks.

• Flexibility to deal effectively with a variety of people, situations, problems and challenges

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Previous experience in federally subsidized housing programs. Experience with Housing Pro software system desired.

SUPERVISION:

Reports directly to the Housing Program Manager and/or designee through supervisory channels. Ability to work independently and to assume responsibility for completion of complex workload without close supervision.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending meetings. The employee must be able to communicate via email and verbally via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds. Primary activities are conducted within a well-lit, climate-controlled office.

Occasional out-of-town trips may be required to attend special events and training sessions.

The work week is Monday through Friday during normal business-type hours (8am-5pm). Weekend hours may be required during special events or projects.

ADA STATEMENT

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, BVCOG will make reasonable accommodation to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee to enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities, if it would not impose an "undue hardship" on the operation of the employer's business.

ETHICS

As a public agency, BVCOG is committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards. Applicants selected for employment are expected to perform work responsibilities with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and honesty, to merit the respect of our co-workers, clients, partners, vendors, and the public. Applicants selected for employment are also expected to serve the public with dedication, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.

SALARY RANGE:

$17.50 - $20.00 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Open until filled. Please send a resume and cover letter to BVCOG Human Resources Department at careers@bvcog.org or P.O. Drawer 4128, Bryan, TX 77805-4128.

https://www.bvcog.org/careers/job-opportunities

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.50 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Bryan, TX 77802: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20