Housing Assistance Specialist (Section 8)

Housing Assistance Specialist

The Housing Assistance Specialist performs clerical and technical work of routine difficulty processing the required forms and documentation necessary to effectuate required documents/processes with Housing Choice Voucher Program participants, landlords, and Opportunity Home. The specialist routinely interacts with participants and landlords of diverse backgrounds.

Examples Of Duties

Essential duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed. These essential functions require a consistent presence in the work environment on a regular basis, and regular attendance must be maintained.

• Conducts interviews with clients to obtain information required to determine eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, establish the client's portion of the rent, and complete internal forms processing in a timely manner.

• Processes amendments to the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract, between Opportunity Home and the landlord, to reflect changes in family composition or income and during recertifications in a timely manner.

• Executes HAP Contracts with property landlords after receiving approved Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection reports within established time parameters.

• Generates HAP, adjustments to HAP, and overpayments to landlords after reviewing the HAP amount.

• Maintains client's file integrity in accordance with Opportunity Home's privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.

• Maintains working knowledge of Special Programs and Move-to-Work (MTW) programs, processes, and procedures.

• Translates program procedures to participants to ensure proper explanation of participants' responsibilities in the program.

• Investigates previously reported income for discrepancies by reviewing participants' files and analyzing past fluctuations in income and expenses.

• Terminates participants in the system; closes out files, reviews files for possible termination, makes decisions based on policies and procedures to continue with termination, closes out portability files when the client is absorbed, processes portability billing, and runs reports (e.g., EIV Reports, etc.) to ensure proper processing of terminations.

• Manages financial accounts for other Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) when billing for participants who port to/from Opportunity Home.

• Reviews accepted forms and participant information, including employment and earnings, for completeness and accuracy, and corrects information if necessary.

• Responds timely to inquiries from owners, clients, and the general public by providing general information about the Assisted Housing Programs and resolves client concerns regarding housing assistance and HAP for clients and owners in a timely manner.

• Manages a high volume of phone calls, emails, and in-person visits on individual participant cases. Manages multi-step processes and turnaround times for the completion of each step or phase of the process.

• Researches information received through the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system and/or other third-party sources to determine program fraud and abuse, and prepares documentation for fraud investigations.

• Maintains a working knowledge of policies and procedures established by Opportunity Home and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and applies the rules and regulations to daily tasks.

• Maintains working knowledge of HQS inspections and procedures to be able to understand/relay inspection items that fail for HQS to clients, as well as assist clients with the inspection process.

• Follow up with Inspectors for documents and/or clarification of participant information.

• Attends regularly scheduled training to maintain HCV certification.

• Complete all duties as assigned or requested as outlined in operational and procedural guidelines. These guidelines are maintained and issued in the event of an emergency situation that arises at a property or any other location that serves our residents or employees.

• Participate in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) initiatives to include training, workgroups, project assignments, etc., that are launched or implemented in order to achieve and/or maintain certification as a TIC organization.

• Recognize the significance of a data-driven organization that adheres to expanded policies and practices in the area of data governance. Learn the distinct and different roles to include: Data Trustee, Data Domain Stewards, Data System Custodians, Data Stewards and Data Users. Effectively collaborate with the various data roles as needed on a daily basis or in a project capacity.

• Employees are expected to use Generative AI solutions ethically and responsibly.

• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills

1. Values Driven | Demonstrates an understanding of the values (Compassion, Equity, and Excellence) and embodies the values in their work and interactions with residents, vendors, co-workers, supervisors, board members, community members, and other stakeholders.

2. Customer Service | Responds with Compassion in a professional manner to the expectations and needs of internal and external customers; is friendly and helpful to all customers, fostering positive relationships while providing Excellent service.

3. Effective Use of Information | Communicates important information to those who need to know clearly, securely, effectively, orally and/or in writing; proactively exchanges accurate and timely information.

4. Commitment and Continuous Improvement | Sets the standard for Excellence by proactively pursuing innovation through systematic experimentation and learning. Corrects mistakes by assessing appropriate processes, proposing adjustments, and prioritizing long-term solutions.

5. Teamwork | Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits Compassion, objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts of Excellence; attends, supports, and participates in the organization's team building events.

6. Responsiveness and Accountability | Demonstrates a high level of Excellence and holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; complies with procedures and directives and understands the importance of maintaining and managing confidential information; recognizes and anticipates issues and provides a responsive resolution in a timely manner.

Typical Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience in case management, client services, or social work.

• Must have the ability to learn and use cloud applications such as the Google GSuite applications, including but not limited to Google Chrome Browser, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Understand document sharing and collaboration in the cloud. Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, cloud-accessible applications, including but not limited to OneDrive, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or a MAC or PC desktop equivalent, is acceptable.

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, work history verification, and drug screening test.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certification.

• Bilingual speaker and writer in English and Spanish.

• Knowledge of housing programs.

• Ability to learn cloud technologies such as LucidChart for diagram, workflow, and chart drawing. Experience with Vizio or equivalent is acceptable. Basic understanding of Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to connect to internal business systems.

License + Certificates

• Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certification is required within 18 months of employment (depending on availability of training) and no more than three attempts to pass the certification.

• Texas Class "C" driver's license at the time of placement and insurable by Opportunity Home San Antonio liability and fleet insurance carrier.

• Must have the ability to earn certifications as required by assigned tasks.

Technical Skills

• Understands the agency's Mission, Vision, and Values, and directs work within these guiding principles and operational framework.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public.