Chief Operating Officer

Position Overview

The COO manages HRHA’s daily operations, supports and acts for the CEO, and oversees

housing programs, projects, compliance, finances, contracts, and staff. The position also

serves as EIV Coordinator, Section 504 Coordinator, and agency Hearing Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee 256 public housing units and 611 Housing Choice Vouchers, including

occupancy, leasing, rent collection, inspections, re-certifications, resident services,

and complaints.

• Monitor PHAS and SEMAP performance, HUD reporting, capital funds, budgets,

utilization, reserves, fees, and monthly financial results.

• Manage agency projects, consultants, contractors, service contracts, schedules,

budgets, and resources.

• Ensure compliance with HUD rules, fair housing and accessibility laws, HRHA

policies, and recordkeeping requirements.

• Conduct applicant and participant reviews or hearings and manage accommodation,

accessibility, and transfer requests.

• Build partnerships with landlords, police, schools, social services, and other

community organizations.

• Produce program reports in Encompass and perform other assigned duties.

Operational and Program Oversight

The COO is responsible for keeping housing operations efficient, compliant, and responsive.

For Public Housing, this includes monitoring rent collection, occupancy, leasing, work

orders, resident counseling, complaint resolution, and compliance with HUD physical

condition standards. For the Housing Choice Voucher program, the COO tracks voucher use,

annual and interim recertification, housing quality inspections, and required participant

records. The COO reviews performance under the Public Housing Assessment System and

the Section Eight Management Assessment Program, identifies weaknesses, and directs

corrective action when needed.

The position also coordinates agency projects from approval through completion. This

includes developing schedules, monitoring budgets, assigning staff and other resources,

working with consultants and contractors, and maintaining project information in

Basecamp. Service contracts must be reviewed for quality, adherence to specifications,

timely renewal, and value to the agency.

Compliance, Finance, and Resident Service

The COO implements required HUD policies and confirms that programs meet federal

reporting and recordkeeping standards. Financial oversight includes forecasting annual

funding, reviewing monthly results, comparing actual costs with approved budgets, and

monitoring program utilization, reserves, administrative fees, and capital fund spending. The

COO audits leasing and occupancy files, documents findings, and follows up on needed

corrections.

As Section 504 Coordinator, the COO manages reasonable accommodation and transfer

requests, evaluates accessibility needs, and updates the agency transition plan. As Hearing

Officer, the COO conducts informal reviews and hearings when applicants or participants

challenge an agency decision, ensuring that the process is fair, consistent, and properly

documented. The role also maintains working relationships with landlords, law enforcement, schools, social service agencies, and community organizations that support residents and program participants.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Project-Based Voucher staff.

Duties include hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, addressing conduct

and complaints, and resolving workplace problems.

Leadership Expectations

The COO sets clear expectations, delegates work appropriately, monitors results, and gives

employees timely feedback. The role requires dependable follow-through, sound judgment,

ethical conduct, and the ability to solve problems before they disrupt service. The COO

should communicate clearly, listen carefully, keep the CEO and staff informed, and respond

constructively to questions or concerns. Effective performance also requires teamwork,

initiative, adaptability, continued professional development, and a staff-wide consistent focus on

service to residents, participants, colleagues, and community partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related

field; master’s degree preferred.

• Progressively responsible public housing, property management, or Housing Choice

Voucher experience, including staff supervision.

• Public Housing Manager certification preferred or required within two years; Housing

Choice Voucher certification required within the same period.

• Knowledge of federal housing rules, civil law, collections, fair housing, disability

access laws, and HRHA policies.

• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, planning, teamwork,

accountability, initiative, and integrity.

• Valid Virginia driver’s license and successful criminal background and drug

screenings.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The position frequently requires standing, walking, using hands and fingers, bending,

stooping, kneeling, or crawling. It occasionally requires sitting and lifting, pushing, or

carrying items up to 50 pounds. The employee must also use sufficient visual acuity to

operate equipment, read technical information, and use a keyboard.