Job description

Summary

The purpose of the Housing Specialist – Section 8 (“Housing Specialist”) position is to assist low-income families in the leasing activities of Section 8. Employees in this role perform assistance and administrative work. Position is responsible for overseeing Section 8 program activities, investigating complaints, maintaining, and updating information related to Section 8 housing program participants, and gathering various data and information.

All activities must support the High Point Housing Authority (“HPHA” or “Agency”) strategic goals and objectives and produce results that accomplish the goals and functions of the Asset Management/Section 8 Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The statements below 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.

• Manages caseload and/or performs specialized function in conducting interviews with clients to obtain appropriate information; accept and review standard forms for completeness and accuracy; determines individual family’s eligibility; establishes client’s portion of the rent; informs and applies the rules and regulations of the Assisted Housing Programs and completes internal processing of forms in order to affect a landlord/participant relationship.
• Receives approved inspection reports; prepares and mails contracts to property owner for signature; maintains a suspense file of contracts mailed to owners and ensures contracts are received within established time parameters.
• Ensures new admissions and annual recertification’s are processed according to HPHA policies and HUD regulations.
• Responds to inquiries from owners, clients, HPHA personnel, and the general public in order to answer general and/or specific questions regarding housing or refers inquiries to an appropriate source for answers.
• Initiates/prepares investigations related to program fraud and/or abuse that is received through the Enterprise Income Verification (“EIV”) system and/or other third-party sources.
• Mails out notification of proposed termination, maintains client files.
• Generates request for initial payments, adjustments, or overpayments to owners and participants.
• Manages financial accounts for other housing authorities in regard to billing portability.
• Processes changes of ownership.
• Responsible for a special program(s) such as Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (“VASH”), Shelter Plus Care (“SPC”), Disaster Housing Assistance Program (“DHAP”) and Family Unification Program (FUP).
• Performs review of housing assistance and utility assistance payments pending payment processing.
• Maintains a working knowledge of policies and procedures as established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and/or the HPHA.
• Manages client’s file integrity in accordance with privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
• Conducts applicant HCV briefing sessions.
• Ensures rent reasonableness as defined by HUD by researching and compiling rental market data and negotiating rental amounts with property owners.
• Accepts and processes applications from families applying for housing assistance; reviews family status and determines eligibility; maintains and checks applicants on waiting list and send update letters.
• Prints and mails wage verifications to employers, Social Security Administration, etc.; verifies information given by residents and notifies residents of any changes.
• Prints and mails notices of re-examination to landlords/owners and tenants; mails rent adjustment notices to landlord/owner and tenants; and prepares other correspondence to landlords/owners and tenants as needed.
• Conducts re-examination interviews with families; sends letters to families for re-examination; prepares preliminary re-examination report; computes and processes current data received for completion of re-examination; and issues housing choice vouchers to families in the Section 8 program.
• Computes annual contract rent increases to landlords; processes interims and rent adjustments; computes retro-active rent and sets up payment agreement; and computes single HAP payment to landlords/owners after checks are processed.
• Terminates contracts of landlords/owners who have substandard housing units; terminates contracts of families who are no longer eligible for assistance and who are in violation of program.
• Monitors and handles transfers for program participants; prepares available unit list and listings of the vacant unit report.
• Schedules hearings and conferences with program participants in violation of lease.
• Files completed paperwork; maintains accurate files; transfers Section 8 files as necessary; pulls inspection reports.
• Prepares Section 8 briefing packets.
• Answers calls concerning complaints from landlords and program participants; answers inquiries from public.
• Fills in for Receptionist, as necessary.
• Enters a variety of information and/or data into computer system.
• Ensures rent computations and information is consistent with policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each competency 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 job competencies.

Job Competencies

• Knowledge of the methods, procedures, and policies of the HPHA as they pertain to the performance of the essential duties of the Housing Specialist.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of assisting families with leasing activities concerning Section 8.
• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations pertaining to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of the organization of the department, and of related departments and agencies.
• Knowledge of any occupational hazards and adheres to any safety precautions inherent in performing the essential functions of the work.
• Knowledge of terminology and related professional languages used within the department as such pertains to work responsibilities.
• Knows how to maintain cooperative and effective relationships with intra and interdepartmental personnel, as well as any external entities with whom the position interacts.

Education and/or Experience

Associate’s degree in social services, business management or related field. One (1) year experience involving case management, client services. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, Outlook, project management software, spreadsheet programs, contact management systems, accounting programs, and the Internet). Must be able to learn other computer programs as required by assigned tasks.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Housing Choice Voucher Specialist certification required within one year of appointment to position. Ongoing and/or updated certifications may be required. Possession of a valid, North Carolina driver’s license and the ability to be insurable under the Agency’s automobile insurance plan at the standard rate.

Physical Demands

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to maintain a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; repetitive keyboarding; reaching and grasping; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via e-mail and telephone. The employee must occasionally transport weight up to 30 to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

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.

Position generally works in a standard, climate-controlled, office environment and reception area. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There are occasions when the position is required to visit HPHA property sites, warehouse/storage areas and/or workshop areas.

Apply online at www.hpha.net.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
• Case Management: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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