Housing Specialist

Assisted Housing Position

Support the mission of THA and the Section 8 Housing department by providing subsidized rent services and support management to low-income individuals and families in a professional, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner. Perform a wide range of activities related to determining and documenting applicant and/or participant eligibility, income, rent and contractual relationships with owners in support of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) operations using written administrative policies and procedures. Accept full accountability for assigned cases including accurate and complete files, resolution of customer service matters, and responsiveness to participant and landlord inquires.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

• Maintain familiarity with current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Regulations related to Section 8 Housing programs.
• Counsel applicants and clients regarding eligibility including unit size, payment standards, and other guidelines
• Effectively manage an assigned caseload of HCV participants.
• Conduct annual re-certifications within required time frames.
• Process and monitor client transfers to a new dwelling.
• Complete interim re-certifications and changes as required.
• Maintain accurate and complete applicant/participant files.
• Provide excellent customer service to applicants, clients, landlords, co-workers, and vendors by responding to inquires, phone calls, correspondence, and email in a timely and responsive manner.
• Attend informal hearings.
• Conduct participant briefings.
• Determine housing assistance payments and tenant rent calculations within guidelines.
• Educate clients on program requirements and family obligations.
• Act as mediator in resolving concerns between landlords and clients.
• Process all transactions within THA's File Vision notice board.
• Communicates with housing inspectors to request inspections of rental units.

Required Qualifications:

Education level - Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field.

Experience - One (1) year of responsible work experience for a public agency, or experience in housing program compliance monitoring or enforcement, apartment leasing, mortgage loan origination, loan processing, community development, or closely related experience. Knowledge of subsidized rental assistance programs preferred.

Specific skills - Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must possess strong organizational and computer skills, including Microsoft Suite. Must have the ability to interpret and apply regulations pertaining to the program. Knowledge of Yardi, File Vision preferred.

Personal characteristics - Ability to work independently, to include weighing the consequences of actions and decisions, responding to emergencies, scheduling and prioritizing work, motivating oneself, managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks and determining when tasks require the intervention of others as needed to manage several housing assistance cases simultaneously and to meet deadlines. Ability to perform simple mathematical calculations with accuracy as needed to calculate and/or prorate applicant net income, rent, and utility allowances.

Physical abilities - Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to see objects where and as they actually are. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

Licenses - Valid Florida Driver's License Insurable under the agency's insurance policy

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job classification established by THA. All incumbents may not perform all of the job duties listed, and some incumbents may perform some duties which are not listed, and incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.