Housing Assistant - Bilingual (Spanish)

Housing Assistant - Bilingual (Spanish)

The New York City Housing Authority is seeking a Housing Assistant for the Leased Housing Department's Brooklyn Client Services Housing Navigation Unit. Brooklyn Client Services performs various duties related to the voucher issuance and rental process, including reviewing documents to determine eligibility for the Section 8 program, reviewing RAD and Project based rental packages for applicants; resolving applicant related issues, verifying information about the applicant's income, communicating with the landlord and outside agencies and conducting informal conferences & reviews, and communicating with voucher holders in Spanish as may be required if they have limited or no facility in English. This position will report to the Assistant Housing Manager(s), with some latitude for independent judgment and decision-making.

The Housing Assistant's responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain voucher holders' records by entering and reviewing case notes; logging events and progress.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for property owners, case managers, and the voucher holders during the eligibility and lease-up process.
• Work with Section 8 applicants and tenants with limited or no facility in English, communicating with them in Spanish as may be required.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Interview applicants, review documents and determine eligibility for Tenant Based, VASH, Project based and RAD Project based vouchers.
• Conduct sex offender, criminal background checks and other related verifications for the applicant (i.e., WMS, HUD EIV former and existing tenant search, SAVE).
• Brief all Project Based applicants on the program.
• Review Eligibility SR and case to ensure information is accurate and required documents are uploaded.
• Review documents and complete Lease Up processes for Tenant Based, VASH, Project Based and RAD Project Based rentals.
• Create building profiles and units in Siebel.
• Prepare rental packages and cover letters for scanning.
• Check for rent reasonableness, building code violations, HPD violations, 40% rule and banned owners.
• Complete related verification searches.
• Create and process payment adjustments.
• Resolve voucher holder related issues.
• Communicate with outside agencies to ensure and expedite rentals.
• Ensure accurate and timely responses to inquiries.
• Report system issues and recommend enhancements to improve operations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Note: This position requires a candidate fluent in Spanish. Candidates must pass an oral proficiency test.

Minimum Qualifications

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or An associate degree or sixty semester credits from an accredited college and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in housing management at a development or developments containing at least 150 apartments, performing any one or a combination of the following duties: interviewing applicants; determining eligibility; gathering and evaluating information to resolve complaints; collecting rents; and/or resolving tenant-related problems; or A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in "1" above; or A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience as described in ""1"" or ""2"" above. Undergraduate college credit may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of satisfactory full-time experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent. Foreign Language Requirement Oral proficiency in a foreign language required by New York City's Housing Authority. Such proficiency must be demonstrated by passing an oral test.

Preferred Skills - Knowledge of the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program and related compliance functions including the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") rules and regulations - Extensive knowledge of the Siebel database. - Proficiency in Word, Excel Outlook, and other database systems. - Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. - Excellent detail-orientation and follow-up skills. - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, superiors, residents, community service agencies, and the public. - Ability to manage multiple priorities and demands analyze situations, identify problems and offer solutions.

55a Program This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

New York City | Administration & Human Resources