Housing Specialist I

Job Description

Classification: Housing Specialist I Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Status: The Housing Specialist position is Full-time, Monday-Friday with 40-hour week.

OBJECTIVE:

Manage the federally funded Section 8 and other rental assistance programs, for low to moderate income families. Assist the organization in recovering any monies owed from non-compliant landlords and program participants. Assist participants in maintaining program eligibility by reviewing/verifying applications, completing the certification process, and conducting research to ensure Colorado Springs Housing Authority (CSHA) is in compliance with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives directions from Colorado Springs Housing Authoritys higher-level management and supervisory staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENT

Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Understand and adhere to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) & Colorado Springs Housing Authority (CSHA) processes, policies, and procedures to maintain compliance with pertinent federal, state, local laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Effectively and efficiently manage a caseload of families participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 program and other rental assistance programs by thoroughly reviewing applicants documents for the initial application, recertification, and compliance research.
• Coordinate activities in the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 and other housing programs to explain program requirements, conduct applicant interviews, review/verify required documentation, determine eligibility, and calculate rent.
• Accurately manage electronic records and enter all data into HAB/MRI/FileVision.
• Serve as a liaison with landlords and tenants to schedule property inspections, meetings, and workshops as needed.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with participants, landlords, and community representatives.
• Oversee the collection process to recover funds owed by non-compliance landlords and/or participants by creating repayment agreements.
• Prepare a variety of reports as requested; assist in the preparation of legal documents; coordinate the executor of lease agreements and related documents.
• Testify in court as an expert witness when needed.
• Provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to higher-level management.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as needed/required.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers, scanners, fax machines and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Principles and practices of accurate records management.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation
• Basic principles and practices of landlord/tenant law.
• Principles, practices, rules and regulations of housing choice voucher or public housing.
• Principles and practices of public relations
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations for housing assistant programs.

Ability to:

• Learn operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive affordable housing program.
• Learn eligibility requirements of a variety of affordable housing programs.
• Learn Housing Quality Standards.
• Learn property management skills.
• Perform a variety of program administration duties in support of comprehensive affordable housing program.
• Learn to resolve tenant landlord issues.
• Learn to interpret and apply housing program rules and regulations.
• Determine housing program eligibility.
• Learn to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Maintain detailed program records.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Preferred Education:

Equivalent to a bachelors degree, or a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, public administration, social work, behavioral sciences, or a related field.

Preferred Training / Experience:

One year of increasingly responsible property management or public housing program experience.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION

Possession of or ability to obtain certification as Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions

Office/field environments; travel from site to site as needed; exposure to traffic, weather elements, irate or hostile clientele, computer screens.

Physical Conditions

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, and walking and bending for extended periods of time.

**Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties and/or responsibilities performed within the job.