Housing Specialist & Housing Specialist Senior

Housing Specialist

*Position for Housing Specialist is budgeted at $29.38/hr, and is union covered after completion of one year of probation. The Housing Specialist Sr. is budgeted at $31.75/hr, and is not covered under any Collective Bargaining Unit.

Performs casework and resident monitoring functions for Housing Authority Programs. Administers and coordinates Public Housing Programs in compliance with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development rules and regulations.

Essential Job Functions

• Interview potential residents and applicants to determine eligibility for housing program eligibility.
• Performs eligibility calculations and determinations, completes accurate lease agreements and amendments and collects payments and fees.
• Ensure resident compliance with all regulatory and policy requirements associated with applicable housing programs.
• Performs unit inspections and facilitates unit transfers
• Performs casework and resident monitoring duties associated with housing program in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Generates monthly program reporting.
• Provides excellent customer service by responding promptly to requests in person, on the phone, or in writing; providing clear and concise responses and direction; and demonstrating professionalism and courtesy in interactions with internal staff and external customers and agencies.
• Create newsletters, organize community events and trainings, organize tenant council meetings, and oversee community service requirements.

Housing Specialist Senior – Additional Essential Job Functions:

• Prepares an individual Training and Services Plan for each FSS/ROSS participant. Provides educational and employment information to FSS/ROSS participants to help them achieve their self-sufficiency goals. Provides career counseling. Coordinates supportive services, health services, legal services, educational opportunities with local, state and federal agencies and NGO organizations.
• Develops a primary navigation plan with residents/families that sets appropriate goals, which should address safe and secure housing, access to food, utilities, transportation, health system enrollment, education, literacy, preventive care, medical treatment, chronic disease management, and effective social and community referrals.
• Provide reporting information to the Santa Fe County Community Support Division with quarterly data on social determinants of health, demographics, emergency room utilization and jail utilization of clients served.
• Maintains a control system to ensure all required actions, such as lease renewals and grievance hearings, are completed in a timely manner, and all appropriate records are retained at the Housing Authority.
• Assumes full responsibility of rent calculations, adjustments and certifications or re-certifications; conducts utility reimbursement payments; processes documentation to ensure payments are submitted in accordance with internal policies.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Knowledge of modern office practices and equipment, including computers; of computer software, including work processing and spreadsheets; of accounting principles; and of preparation of records, reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge of English usage and, preferably, bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Ability to use a variety software programs, on an inventory management system.
• Skilled in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, database and other software programs in a Windows environment.
• Skilled in providing effective customer service.

Housing Specialist Senior – Additional Knowledge / Skills:

• Knowledge of government administration, the role and functions of the Housing Authority in the community, and community resources.
• Knowledge of FSS/ROSS grant requirements, coordinate efforts to submit grant reapplication and collect program data for grant reporting.
• Ability to effectively coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies as well as private sector businesses; to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; to maintain confidentiality; to exercise judgment; to follow verbal and written instructions; to compile, analyze and interpret data; to present information in a clear and concise manner; and to deal effectively with associates, clients and the public.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks and meet deadlines; to complete work accurately with attention to detail; to deal effectively and tactfully with the public; and to handle confidential information in a trustworthy manner.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Two (2) years of experience working in a professional office environment providing administrative support and customer service.
• Must obtain and maintained within two years of employment, all required HUD Housing Program Certificates.

Housing Specialist Senior – Additional Minimum Qualifications:

• Two additional (2) years of experience in housing program administration, social services or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions: Work is performed in a professional office setting with occasional outside field work. Work schedule may include evening and weekend hours. Occasional overnight travel may be required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands; reach with hands or arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; climb or balance; and talk or hear. Clarity of vision at short and long distances required. May be required to lift up to 50 pounds with assistance or equipment. May occasionally be exposed occasionally to hazardous materials; to potentially dangerous situations; to dust, fumes, airborne particles, or allergens; to excessive noise; to working near hazardous or moving equipment or machinery; and may work with hostile, violent, or offensive individuals. May use protective clothing, equipment, devices, or materials occasionally.

Conditions of Employment: Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Drivers License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties.

Santa Fe County is an Equal Opportunity Employer It is the policy of Santa Fe County to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, age, physical or mental handicap, sex, national origin, ancestry, religion, serious medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or political affiliation.

Santa Fe County is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time and part-time employees who work 20 hours per week. You will receive plan booklets, which give you more detailed information about each of these programs.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Gym Membership

To learn more details, visit our website:

• Health Benefits
• Leave and Retirement
• Additional Employee Benefits
• Employee Development Program