Housing Specialist 1 or 2

Housing Specialist

The City of Madison's Community Development Authority (CDA) is hiring a Housing Specialist. The mission of the Madison Community Development Authority (CDA) is to provide and develop quality affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. The Section 8 Housing Specialist supports the mission of the CDA and the Section 8 Housing team by providing assisted rent services to low-income families and individuals in a professional and non-judgmental manner. This position performs administrative support work in the delivery of rent assistance services and caseload management duties related to the administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The work involves on-going administrative program support activity involving Section 8 program participant continued eligibility, maintaining accurate and efficient case files, and confidentiality of client information and records. Employees in this position work as a member of the Housing Operations Central Office Staff team. The work is performed under close supervision of the Section 8 Supervisor and is reviewed in progress and upon completion. The Housing Specialist 1 starts at $60,040 annually and the Housing Specialist 2 starts at $63,632 annually. Classification level will be determined at the time of hire and will be based on the candidate's relevant work experience and overall qualifications. THIS RECRUITMENT WILL BE USED INITIALLY TO FILL 1 PERMANENT POSITION, BUT MAY ALSO FILL OTHER VACANCIES THAT OCCUR IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, INCLluding full-time, part-time and acting positions, that may arise over the next six (6) months.

IMPORTANT! Please attach a cover letter (1 page maximum) to your application highlighting why you are interested in this position and describing what education, training and experience you have that make you qualified for it. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED COVER LETTER ADDRESSING THE ITEMS ABOVE WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION. Employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Certify Program Participants:

• Schedule and process participant certifications and determine program eligibility under the federal Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program requirements.
• Interview program participants to gather relevant information.
• Ensure all required documents are obtained and included in each participant file.
• Accurately calculate participant's portion of rent for admission, interim, annual and special re-examinations with accuracy and efficiency.
• Obtain and develop documentation necessary to support decisions. Obtain third-party verification of participant income, assets, and expenses.
• Determine eligible voucher size, calculate maximum rent/utilities and calculate utility allowances; and notify participant and landlord of housing assistance and tenant payment amounts with accuracy and efficiency.
• Enter recertification data into computer database and generate a form HUD-50058.
• Review Request for Tenancy Approval, landlord/tenant leases, and supporting documentation for program compliance.
• Process requests for inspections, coordinate with inspectors, and ensure inspections are completed in a timely manner.
• Prepare and execute Housing Assistance Payments contracts between the CDA and participating landlord/owner. Prepare and execute payment adjustments.
• Review and process landlord initiated changes to unit contract rents.
• Process request for minimum rent hardship exemptions.
• Process participant moves and transfers to other jurisdictions.
• Advise participants of program rights, requirements, and responsibilities.
• Maintain a special voucher program. Receive referrals, schedule and conduct voucher briefings for special voucher programs.
• Verify any client at zero balance for rent and utilities prior to issuing voucher to move with continued assistance.

Customer Service and Ongoing Support:

• Respond to phone calls, correspondence, e-mail, and walk-ins in a timely and responsive manner.
• Answer participant questions related to program policies and procedures. Ensure participants and landlords are being assisted professionally, courteously, tactfully, and in a timely fashion.
• Discuss with participants and landlords their rights and obligations under the terms of program contractual agreements, including cases where eviction may be necessary.
• Assist participants in identifying and obtaining suitable housing.
• Brief landlords/owners on program requirements, Housing Quality Standards (HQS), and Housing Authority, local, State, and federal policies.
• Obtain landlord rent changes in order to help units qualify for the program.
• Research case files for overpayments, adjustments, and errors.
• Calculate and collect participant payments for unreported income.
• Facilitate problem resolution with participants and landlords.
• Communicate and coordinate with outside agencies for sharing appropriate information regarding mutual clients with a current, signed Release of Information. Establish new contacts with current agencies.
• Provide participants with information on community resources.
• Respond in a timely manner to all allegations received of violent or drug-related criminal activity that threatens the health or safety of residents, fraud allegations, income discrepancies, household composition, and any program participant violations.
• Initiate the terminate program participants for cause and provide information on appeal rights. Provide direct supporting evidence and present at termination hearings. Testify in court as appropriate.
• Refer all requests for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner and assist Reasonable Accommodation Specialist in determining alternative accommodations.
• Remain current and informed of legislative, regulations, and HUD Guidance; and implement new procedures as required.

Other Administrative Duties:

• Mail notices and correspondence for eligibility, leasing, portability, and continued assistance.
• Create and maintain accurate and efficient client records in written and electronic formats consistent with operating procedures, security policies, and per audit requirements.
• Review case files for program compliance to ensure all documentation, information, and signatures are current and consistent, complete, and accurate.
• Ensure landlord information is current and accurate in ELITE database.
• Promptly process billing invoices from receiving housing authorities.
• Handle and maintain physical records, including the storage and retrieval of archived records.
• Participate in Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) reviews, HUD reviews, and annual City audit.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in CDA activities and performance improvement initiatives.
• Conduct semi-monthly processing of housing/utility assistance payments (check run)

Perform related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of experience applying the following:

• Applicable office procedures, methods and equipment.
• Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Word, Excel and database management

Familiarity with the following:

• Standard housing practices relative to tenant/landlord relationships.
• Basic property maintenance terminology.
• Standard recordkeeping procedures.
• Basic mathematical computations.

OR

• Two (2) years of administrative experience, which involved some independent responsibility for an office function, significant interaction with the public, and interpretation/application of governing standards.
• Coursework in business, accounting, and/or finance.

OR

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

If an applicant does not possess the experience listed above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the other equivalent experience. The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities, and have the ability to:

• Participate in the informal hearing process.
• Maintain trust and confidentiality.
• Remain approachable, responsive, helpful, communicative, and sympathetic to client concerns.
• Work and communicate well with elderly, disabled and low-income families and individuals.
• Adhere to high ethical standards of performance and interpersonal relationships;
• Work under pressure and with interruptions.
• Be flexible and cooperative to job demands to meet work needs.