Housing Specialist

Salary : $81,108.00 - $100,128.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 264074-01
Department: Housing and Human Services
Division: HHS - Housing
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/15/2026 5:30 PM Pacific


Job Summary
Provides operational support with Housing Assistance; interviews applicants, determines eligibility, briefs participants by conducting Section 8 recipient orientation, negotiates with landlords, performs unit inspections, and prepares and monitors leases.
Only the first 50 qualified applications received will be accepted for further consideration.

Representative Duties
Interviews program applicants. Determines eligibility of participants by verifying income, citizenship and other eligibility requirements.
Conducts briefing for certified program participants.
Performs annual recertifications of Section 8 recipients.
Inspects units for compliance with HUD housing quality standards when required.
Publicizes assistance program and encourages recipients, property owners, realtors and management agents to participate.
Develops and maintains rapport with owners/managers of rental units.
Participates in peer review of files for quality evaluation.
Prepares lease documents.
Prepares rent comparability and market information studies.
Collects and reviews documentation and data.
Enters all relevant participant's data into data bases.
Investigates complaints about program participants and takes appropriate follow-up action. Reports program irregularities to supervisor and consults with the compliance officer.
Prepares various reports regarding program activities.
Performs a variety of administrative functions related to the efficient and effective delivery of services.
Conducts informal reviews and hearings with participants.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements
Knowledge of:
HUD Section 8 Existing and Housing Assistance Payments Program regulations and procedures.

HUD's Housing Quality Standards.

Federal, State and local housing programs, laws, rules, regulations and resources.

Local rental market areas.

Public relations.
Ability to:
Understand, interpret and effectively apply HUD Section 8 and other housing assistance program regulations.

Inspect rental units and communicate Housing Quality Standards to property owners.

Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with the License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) consultant to coordinate with other social services delivery agencies.

Provide effective customer service.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with people of all ages, economic and cultural backgrounds including those with disabling conditions including physical and mental disabilities.

Negotiate contracts.

Perform simple mathematical calculations with accuracy.

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the public.
Skill in:
The use of computers and applicable software applications.

Working effectively with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Education Training and Experience:
An associate's degree from an accredited college in Business Administration, Sociology or a closely related field. One year of recent, paid work experience implementing HUD Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program or a closely related housing program. Additional experience may substitute for educational requirements on a year for year basis.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a valid Class C driver license.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply:


Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.


If you would like for your education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the filing deadline. Failure to do so will result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.



Selection Process:


All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applications will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
Testing may consist of a combination of any of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate:
Evaluation of Qualifications

Oral Interview
If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
Note: Internal staff who submit transfer applications must notify the analyst in charge of the recruitment, via email, upon submission of their transfer application.
Background Investigation:


Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Inclusion & Diversity Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call View phone number on click.appcast.io, TDD View phone number on click.appcast.io (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.
01


Please describe your recent, paid work experience implementing affordable housing programs, HUD Section 8 housing assistance payment programs, or closely related housing programs. Specifically indicate where and how you obtained this experience. If you have no such experience, mark N/A.
02


Please describe any work experience you may have interviewing and/or determining applicants' eligibility for housing assistance or a related program. If you have no such experience, mark N/A.
03


Please describe your experience with, and the strategies you use, to manage a heavy workload which is often interrupted by customers with emergency needs and other priorities. If you have no such experience, mark N/A.
04


For the classification of Housing Specialist, additional years of experience may substitute for the required associate's degree from an accredited college in Business Administration, Sociology or a closely related field.
Have you obtained an associate's degree (or higher) from an accredited college in Business Administration, Sociology or a closely related field or do you wish to use additional years of qualifying experience to be considered as a substitute for the required education?
If you intend to use a combination of education and work experience to qualify for this position, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma to this application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework from a foreign institution must also attach United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college transcripts. Failure to do so will result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.
Required Question