Temporary Housing Specialist I/ II

Temporary Housing Specialist I/II

The County of Riverside's Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS), Housing Authority Division, is seeking to fill multiple vacancies for a Temporary Housing Specialist I/II in Riverside. Incumbents will perform a variety of duties involved in providing housing assistance to low-income individuals under the Section 8 and related assisted housing programs. This may include traveling to do property inspections and provide in-person support and outreach. Duties involve calculating income, answering questions, and providing information to the public. The role requires standing or being on your feet for extended periods as part of delivering these services and engaging with clients. The most qualified applicants will have extensive homeless outreach experience, managing substantial caseloads, facilitating resource connections, and delivering exceptional customer service in a public agency environment. Additionally, will have basic knowledge/experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. Must have or be able to obtain a valid California driver's license and maintain an insurable driving record for travel related to property inspections, client outreach, and in-person support. The Housing Specialist I is the entry-level classification in the Housing Specialist series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager level position. Incumbents typically have little directly related work experience and may be considered to be in a training capacity, working under general supervision while learning job tasks, progressing to direction as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned.

The County of Riverside's Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS) Department is a dedicated group that prioritizes delivering services to the County's most vulnerable populations. Through helpful interventions that meet our county's housing and workforce related needs, HWS is promoting prosperous neighborhoods and healthy communities. Can you see yourself here?

Examples Of Essential Duties

Housing Specialist I:

• Perform a variety of duties involved in the determination of applicants' eligibility and participants' continued eligibility for assisted housing programs utilizing established timelines, agency policies and federal regulations.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Conduct initial, annual and special inspections of housing assistance units or residences for various assistance programs in HWS; ensure assisted units comply with HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) requirements for decent, safe and sanitary housing conditions; advise and assist property owners and tenants of unit maintenance needs identified from inspections or complaints; conduct follow up inspections of completed work and repairs.
• Prepare and execute contracts between the Housing Authority and property owners; negotiate rent with property owners; calculate participants' rent; initiate the collection of delinquent overpayments from participants or property owners.
• Prepare reports on inspections and related matters.
• Assist in the development and implementation of resident programs.
• Duties assigned may be either in caseload management or initial eligibility determination.
• Conduct specialized, technical field inspections or assessment for various assistance programs available to County residents through the HWS Department; ensure proper condition of units including compliance with applicable regulations and standards, safe and sanitary conditions; prepare work orders; implement and monitor outcomes.
• Advise and assist property owners and tenants of unit maintenance needs identified from inspections, assessment, or complaints; conduct follow up inspections of completed work and repairs; conduct site visits with contracted vendors for quality control, provide technical consultation and make recommendations as needed.
• Answer questions and provide applicable program information to the applicants and public.
• Perform a variety of duties involved in the determination of applicants' eligibility and tenants' continual eligibility for the programs.
• Prepare reports on inspections and related matters.

Housing Specialist II Housing And Workforce Solution (In addition to the general essential duties listed above, incumbents assigned to HWS):

• Conduct initial, annual, special and vacated unit inspections for Section 8 and related assisted housing programs; ensure proper condition of units including compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS); ensure decent, safe and sanitary conditions; develop service quality improvement initiatives; implement and monitor outcomes.
• Mediate between the tenant and property owner; determine liabilities and charges for tenants and owners during vacated unit inspections; process damage claims; liaison between the Department of Mental Health and state licensed board and care facilities; troubleshoot and assist in resolving issues.
• Conduct damage and move out inspections; investigate claims regarding violations of housing quality standards; counsel tenants on good housekeeping practices.
• Request and verify documents from property owners to confirm ownership of property.
• Prepare and execute contracts between the Housing Authority and property owners; prepare leases and agreements between tenants and property owners; negotiate rent agreements with property owners; calculate tenant's rent; initiate the collection of delinquent overpayments from participants or property owners.
• Investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• CAP Weatherization Program (In addition to the general essential duties listed above, incumbents assigned to the CAP Weatherization Program):
• Assess the dwelling of income-eligible applicants to determine whether the premises qualify to receive the weatherization grants using the California Department of Community Services and Development Technical Reference Manual (CSD TRM).
• Conduct a walk-through of the dwelling to assess both the interior and exterior of the premises to determine their present condition.
• Assess whether attic insulation, windows, doors, and walls meet energy efficiency standards under the Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) of the California Code of Regulations; determine point of air penetration, leakage, and proper function of these items through weather stripping and seals.
• Assess the dwelling for mold, discoloration, asbestos, or lead-based paint.
• Assess and determine whether the dwelling plumbing and electrical systems, and appliances are functioning properly.
• Discuss the findings with applicants on the process including placing the case on deferral so the deferred items can be corrected within the applicable timeframe; prepare required forms for acknowledgment by applicants.
• Provide applicants with informational pamphlets on energy efficiency, health and safety information on mold, asbestos, and lead-based paint.
• Prepare work orders detailing all the weatherization measures that need to be completed.
• Conduct follow up inspection on completed weatherization dwellings to ensure completeness and compliance with applicable standards.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Training Guidelines: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Housing Specialist I: Experience: Minimum of one year housing or other state or federal program eligibility or social work experience is preferred; OR one year of work experience in general construction or trade work, including but not limited to, carpentry, HVAC, electrical. Training: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade supplemented by additional course work in social science or a related field. (Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree may substitute for program eligibility experience.) Knowledge of: Basic interviewing skills and techniques; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment; principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation; safety and health standards; general construction or building inspection; principles and procedures of record keeping; basic mathematics. Ability to: Learn Section 8 and related assisted housing programs and HQS; learn weatherization programs and energy efficiency principles and measures; policies and procedures; learn, interpret and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; learn to perform housing inspections; determine needed repairs and estimate cost of repairs; operate a computer terminal and standard office machines; perform accurate mathematical calculations; gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including Housing Authority staff, program participants, and the general public.

Housing Specialist II EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: Two years full time work experience equivalent to Housing Specialist I duties and responsibilities; OR two years of full-time work experience in Section 8 and related assisted housing programs; OR two years of full-time work experience in general construction or trade work, including but not limited to, carpentry, HVAC, electrical. Training: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade supplemented by additional course work in social science or a related field. (Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of program eligibility experience.) Knowledge of: Section 8 and related assisted housing programs, policies and procedures or regulations; HUD HQS; pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; operations, services and activities in providing housing assistance to low-income persons under the Section 8 and related assisted housing programs; general construction or building inspection; energy efficiency measures. Ability to: Perform housing inspections, determine needed repairs and estimate cost of repairs; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action necessary to resolve complaints; identify and respond to program participants and public issues and concerns; work effectively with people from a variety of social, economic