Eligibility Recertification Specialist

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and / or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Interviews assigned applicants for Public Housing and HCVP residency; reviews applications to determine (1) applicant eligibility for admission or continued occupancy; (2) rent to be charged; and (3) unit size required according to HUD and DCHA regulations.
• Counsel's prospective tenants on the policies and procedures relative to obtaining and maintaining a unit.
• Conducts reexaminations of resident income and sources of income for all family members and family composition to determine eligibility for continued occupancy; conducts interviews as necessary.
• Directs prospective and recertification applicants in securing necessary verification and documentation of eligibility factors and where further data is necessary to ensure complete and accurate evidence. Contacts employers, community agencies, schools, etc., for substantiation and / or clarification.
• Identifies and resolves recertification discrepancies, i.e., unreported income, occupancy changes and unreported family assets.
• Determines residents who qualify for Earned Income Disregard (EID) exclusions.
• Calculates resident verified adjusted annual income and assets to determine resident rent responsibility for either income or market-based rents.
• Represents the Authority by providing testimony at Office of Fair Hearings and Tenant and Landlord court hearings.
• Notifies residents in writing of any rent adjustments and effective dates.
• Prepares and mails application for continued occupancy to residents with reasonable written notice of actions needed to complete their recertification timely.
• Conducts third party verifications via all verification sources available; follows up on findings and conducts additional interviews with families accordingly. Prepares correspondence or make telephone calls to other District or Federal agencies, private organizations and the public in order to obtain and verify information concerning the residents.
• Resolves problem cases of resident clients.
• Monitors the progress of all assigned annual and interim recertifications to ensure all related activities are completed in the prescribed time frame.
• Remains abreast of new and revised federal and District housing / recertification regulations and guidelines and recommends actions for improvement or correction of operating deficiencies.
• Participates and conducts training seminars for residents.
• Provides assistance to Housing Managers, HMA's and other Recertification Specialists as necessary to determine coverage, suggest methodology and provides guidance on the handling of technical problems and problem issues as they arise.
• Prepares correspondence and recurring, special and one-time reports; and coordinates findings with other Specialists.
• Enters and retrieves data or information from the automated data system.
• Prepares recommendations for improvement or correction of deficient recertification activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

Education and / or Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college / university); and a minimum of (2) two years' experience recertifying and determining client eligibility for public and assisted housing; or other equivalent combination of education and experience which meet the minimum qualifications requirement may be substituted.

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and / or verification of work history.

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check. Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook); and must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The supervisor makes assignments, sets overall objectives, resources available, deadlines and work to be done. The incumbent is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most of the conflicts which arise, coordinating work with others as necessary and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives. In some assignments, incumbent determines the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-fetched implications.

Completed work is reviewed for accuracy, completeness and adherence to governing laws and requirements.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include but are not limited to HUD, and DCHA laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and administrative directives.

The incumbent uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines for application to specific cases or situations.

COMPLEXITY

The work involves the performance of a variety of standard housing management functions. Incumbent must review resident case histories and examine records and practices. Decisions regarding what needs to be done are arrived at after analyzing and researching background information.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of the work is to provide the necessary technical and administrative support necessary that will ensure compliance with the processing and determination of continued occupancy of applications presented for recertification by residents of public housing.

The work has a direct effect on the efficiency of work of the Eligibility and Continued Occupancy Branch and housing program operations throughout the District of Columbia Housing Authority.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts include residents, employers, community agencies, schools, family members, Office of Fair Hearings, Tenant and Landlord Court, District and federal agencies, private organizations, Housing Managers, HMAs', co-workers and other DCHA employees and officials, and the general public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of the contacts is to assure compliance with the eligibility of public housing and HCVP requirements by individuals and families. Some exposure to abusive or aggressive behavior of residents may be encountered; and the incumbent must remain professional and courteous at all times.

Physical Demands

The work requires no unusual physical demands, however, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and walk and make field visits at public housing properties to meet with residents.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work is performed in the office and in the field. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.