Housing Specialist 1 or 2

Salary : $58,292.00 - $61,779.38 AnnuallyLocation : Madison, WIJob Type : PERMANENT FULL TIMEJob Number : 2025-00092Department : CDA Housing OperationsOpening Date : 02 / 24 / 2025Closing Date : 3 / 10 / 2025 11 : 59 PM CentralComp. Group / Range : 20 / 11 or 20 / 13 General DescriptionThe City of Madison's Community Development Authority (CDA) is hiring a Housing Specialist!The mission of the Madison Community Development Authority (CDA) is to provide and develop quality affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. The Section 8 Housing Specialist supports the mission of the CDA and the Section 8 Housing team by providing assisted rent services to low-income families and individuals in a professional and non-judgmental manner. This position performs administrative support work in the delivery of rent assistance services and caseload management duties related to the administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The work involves on-going administrative program support activity involving Section 8 program participant continued eligibility, maintaining accurate and efficient case files, and confidentiality of client information and records. Employees in this position work as a member of the Housing Operations Central Office Staff team. The work is performed under close supervision of the Section 8 Supervisor and is reviewed in progress and upon completion.The Housing Specialist 1 starts at $58,292 annually and the Housing Specialist 2 starts at $61,779 annually. Classification level will be determined at the time of hire and will be based on the candidate's relevant work experience and overall qualifications.THIS RECRUITMENT WILL BE USED INITIALLY TO FILL 1 POSITION, BUT MAY ALSO FILL OTHER VACANCIES THAT OCCUR IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, INCLLUDING PART-TIME AND ACTING POSITIONS, THAT MAY ARISE OVER THE NEXT SIX (6) MONTHS. IMPORTANT!Please attach a cover letter (1 page maximum) to your application highlighting why you are interested in this position and describing what education, training and experience you have that make you qualified for it.

• APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT AN ATTACHED COVER LETTER ADDRESSING THE ITEMS ABOVE WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.
• Employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the . Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community. Examples of Duties and ResponsibilitiesCertify Program Participants : Schedule and process participant certifications and determine program eligibility under the federal Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program requirements.Interview program participants to gather relevant information.Ensure all required documents are obtained and included in each participant file.Accurately calculate participant's portion of rent for admission, interim, annual and special re-examinations with accuracy and efficiency. Obtain and develop documentation necessary to support decisions. Obtain third-party verification of participant income, assets, and expenses.Determine eligible voucher size, calculate maximum rent / utilities and calculate utility allowances; and notify participant and landlord of housing assistance and tenant payment amounts with accuracy and efficiency.Enter recertification data into computer database and generate a form HUD-50058.Review Request for Tenancy Approval, landlord / tenant leases, and supporting documentation for program compliance.Process requests for inspections, coordinate with inspectors, and ensure inspections are completed in a timely manner.Prepare and execute Housing Assistance Payments contracts between the CDA and participating landlord / owner. Prepare and execute payment adjustments.Review and process landlord initiated changes to unit contract rents.Process request for minimum rent hardship exemptions.Process participant moves and transfers to other jurisdictions.Advise participants of program rights, requirements, and responsibilities.Maintain a special voucher program. Receive referrals, schedule and conduct voucher briefings for special voucher programs.Verify any client at zero balance for rent and utilities prior to issuing voucher to move with continued assistance.Customer Service and Ongoing Support : Respond to phone calls, correspondence, e-mail, and walk-ins in a timely and responsive manner.Answer participant questions related to program policies and procedures. Ensure participants and landlords are being assisted professionally, courteously, tactfully, and in a timely fashion.Discuss with participants and landlords their rights and obligations under the terms of program contractual agreements, including cases where eviction may be necessary.Assist participants in identifying and obtaining suitable housing.Brief landlords / owners on program requirements, Housing Quality Standards (HQS), and Housing Authority, local, State, and federal policies.Obtain landlord rent changes in order to help units qualify for the program.Research case files for overpayments, adjustments, and errors.Calculate and collect participant payments for unreported income.Facilitate problem resolution with participants and landlords.Communicate and coordinate with outside agencies for sharing appropriate information regarding mutual clients with a current, signed Release of Information. Establish new contacts with current agencies.Provide participants with information on community resources.Respond in a timely manner to all allegations received of violent or drug-related criminal activity that threatens the health or safety of residents, fraud allegations, income discrepancies, household composition, and any program participant violations.Initiate the terminate program participants for cause and provide information on appeal rights. Provide direct supporting evidence and present at termination hearings. Testify in court as appropriate.Refer all requests for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner and assist Reasonable Accommodation Specialist in determining alternative accommodations.Remain current and informed of legislative, regulations, and HUD Guidance; and implement new procedures as required.Other Administrative Duties : Mail notices and correspondence for eligibility, leasing, portability, and continued assistance.Create and maintain accurate and efficient client records in written and electronic formats consistent with operating procedures, security policies, and per audit requirements.Review case files for program compliance to ensure all documentation, information, and signatures are current and consistent, complete, and accurate.Ensure landlord information is current and accurate in ELITE database.Promptly process billing invoices from receiving housing authorities.Handle and maintain physical records, including the storage and retrieval of archived records.Participate in Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) reviews, HUD reviews, and annual City audit.Attend staff meetings and participate in CDA activities and performance improvement initiatives.Conduct semi-monthly processing of housing / utility assistance payments (check run)Perform related work as required. Minimum Qualifications Two (2) years of administrative experience, which involved some independent responsibility for an office function, significant interaction with the public, and interpretation / application of governing standards.Coursework in business, accounting, and / or finance.ORBachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the experience requirements.If an applicant does not possess the experience listed above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience : Two (2) years of experience applying the following : Applicable office procedures, methods and equipment.Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Word, Excel and database management.Familiarity with the following : Standard housing practices relative to tenant / landlord relationships.Basic property maintenance terminology. Standard recordkeeping procedures.Basic mathematical computations.The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities, and have the ability to : Participate in the informal hearing process.Maintain trust and confidentiality.Remain approachable, responsive, helpful, communicative, and sympathetic to client concerns.Work and communicate well with elderly, disabled and low-income families and individuals.Adhere to high ethical standards of performance and interpersonal relationships;Work under pressure and with interruptions.Be flexible and cooperative to job demands to meet work needs.Be prompt and dependable.For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the Housing Specialist 1 Special Requirements Ability to meet the transportation requirements of the position.Ability to obtain industry certification in Income and Rent Calculation for the Housing Choice Voucher program from a CDA-approved training organization (e.g. NAHRO or Nan McKay) within the first 6 months of hire. Failure to obtain the required certifications will result in forfeiture of the position, absent extenuating circumstances.Physical Requirements : Ability to sit / stand at a desk, using standard office equipment for an extended period of time.Must be able to occasionally be able to lift filing boxes weighing up to 30 pounds and reach, climb and kneel.The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.CompensationThe City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.Benefits The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.LeaveVacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.0-3 years 10 work days of vacationAfter 3 years 12-1 / 2 daysAfter 7 years 15 daysAfter 11 years 17-1 / 2 daysAfter 15 years 20 daysAfter 19 years 25 daysAfter 27 years 27 daysEmployees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.RetirementThe City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.InsuranceThe City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including : Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Pet Insurance Life Insurance Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability) Long Term Care InsuranceOther Benefits The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including :
• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training01 Please list any coursework you have completed in business, accounting, and / or finance. 02 Please describe any administrative experience where you had independent responsibility for an office function, significant interaction with the public, and interpretation / application of governing standards. Be sure to include the employer name, number of years of experience, and the specific governing standards you interpreted / applied. 03 Please indicate which of the following you have experience using : Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Database management 04 What level of work experience do you have maintaining client files? No experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to 2 years experience More than 2 years of exprience 05 What level of work experience do you have where you were required to maintain confidentiality of client files? No experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to 2 years of experience More than 2 years of experience 06 What level of work experience do you have where resolving conflict was part of your responsibility? No experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to 2 years of experience More than 2 years of experience 07 What level of work experience do you have where you provided information / referral services? No experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to 2 years of experience More than 2 years of experience 08 What level of work experience do you have where you provided services to people in crisis? No experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to 2 years of experience More than 2 years of experience 09 Have you worked for AT LEAST one (1) year in Rental Property Management or in housing related services? (check all that apply) No experience Rental Property management Not-for-profit housing related services 10 What level of work experience do you have conducting client interviews? No experience Less than 1 year experience 1 to 2 years of experience More than 2 years of experience 11 Do you have AT LEAST 1 YEAR of work experience doing any of the following? (check all that apply) Calculating benefit payments Verifying income of clients Interpreting and applying government regulations none 12 I have attached the required cover letter to my application highlighting why you are interested in this position and describing what education, training and experience you have that make you qualified for it. My one (1) page cover letter is attached in the Attachment section of my application. Required Question

Salary : $58,292 - $61,779