Housing Specialist

Under the supervision of a Housing Assistance Manager, incumbent has the experience

and demonstrated ability to independently and effectively perform assigned Housing

Assistance Representative duties following HUD and OHA policy and procedural

requirements.

Housing Assistance Representatives will be assigned by the Director of

Leased Housing to one of the following functional areas listed under essential functions:

Inspection; Occupancy; Rent Analyst; Outreach; Homeownership or Family Self-

Sufficiency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assignments in this class are characterized by the following essential job functions:

Inspection: Inspects and surveys housing units by going into the field and listing

deficiencies and enforcing compliance with housing quality standards, HUD and OHA

requirements; completes and submits all necessary inspections documentation following

HUD and OHA requirements; responds to questions from landlords and clients; resolves

conflicts between landlord and clients; provides information and assistance in litigation

situations as required; approve rents if within approved rent ranges; gathers rent

comparability data.

Occupancy: Counsels tenants and landlords in their program rights and responsibilities;

resolves conflicts between landlords and tenants; computes utility allowances; monitors and

enforces program compliance by owners and clients income and household composition;

assist in debt collection from clients and/or owners; provides information in litigation

situations as required.

Rent Analyst: Complies, reviews, updates and records rent data for the City of Oakland,

sets rents ranges following HUD and OHA requirements; negotiates HAP contracts with

owners; develops and maintains a system of surveying, tracking, documenting, storing and

retrieving information on rent comparability; reviews and approves proposed initial rents

outside set range; reviews and approves owners requests for rent increases; conduct

quality control of rend decisions made by other staff. May also be assigned to do

inspections.

Outreach: Analyzes obstacles to Leased Housing programs and devise strategies to

eliminate barriers; conducts program marketing and outreach activities; gives presentations

and conducts briefings for clients, owners, and non-profit developers who provide housing

resources; recruits, establishes and maintains relationships with property owners, property

developers, real estate and rental organizations; counsels tenants and landlords in their

rights and responsibilities; provides direct search assistance to clients.

Homeownership: Identifies lenders and other funding sources interested in participating

in the Section 8 homeownership program; provides guidance to program participants on the

HUD and OHA rules and requirements for homeownership; identifies and develops

relationships with organizations and individuals that can assist program participants in

becoming homeowners; conducts neighborhood outreach; provides information on home

buying opportunities; provides information on mortgage leading and Section 8

homeownership assistance programs to participants; gives presentations to individuals and

groups; prepares written reports, manuals, and grants.

Family Self-Sufficiency: Markets the FSS program to current and new Section 8

participants and local service providers; provides guidance to program participants on

steps needed to achieve self-sufficiency; develops asset building strategies, identifies

educational and economic opportunity resources to benefit clients; prepares oral and

written reports, write grants, and conduct presentations to individuals and groups.

Eligibility: Conducts determinations of initial eligibility of individuals and families on

applicant waiting lists. Interviews applicants, collects, evaluates and verifies income

information. Evaluates and applies deductions and exemptions. Assess eligibility based

on HUD Income Limits. Performs and determines initial and some interim rent calculations.

Counsels applicants on and answers questions regarding program rules, responsibilities

and processes. Researches and informs applicants of overdue debts to the Authority.

Verifies citizenship and immigration status of all family members.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other activities related to the administration of assisted housing programs as

required. May direct and monitor the work of a small staff; executes special projects as

assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree, with a major in business or public administration or a closely

related field; or completion of 24 general education semester units of college training

and two years of applicable experience.

AND

Possession of a valid California driver's license and an insurable driving record.

Equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF: HUD Section 8 program; and Microsoft Office Applications.

ABILITY TO: gather and analyze data and reason logically and accurately; interpret and

apply rules and regulations; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; direct

the activities of staff, including training; communicate in a courteous, respectful and

effective manner, both orally and in writing; and other abilities as specified in the State of

California Division of Industrial Accidents form RB-91 for this classification.