Housing Program Specialist II

SUMMARY

The primary purpose of this position is to conduct lease-ups and complete scheduled/interim recertifications to determine continued eligibility for participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). Incumbents exercise considerable judgment and initiative in carrying out day-to-day responsibilities, subject to established procedures, practices, and standards within the training parameters established by the HCVP Department. Duties require significant knowledge of HUD regulations related to tenant selection and the ability to maintain clerical records and prepare accurate and concise reports. As part of these functions, this position also establishes housing assistance payments and tenants' rent portions as well as resolves individual case problems. This higher classification of Housing Specialist may also be tasked with duties including but not limited to training or being shadowed by new hires, solving complex cases involving income discrepancies or fraud, identifying systemic issues and participating in problem solving with program leaders, and assisting in the development of procedures.

All activities must support the District of Columbia Housing Authority's (DCHA) strategic goals and objectives and produce the results that accomplish the goals of HCVP.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Manages a caseload that includes eligibility, recertifications, interims, rent increases, and lease-ups for federally or locally funded and regulated programs.

• Processes recertification packets; examines income, family composition, and other relevant documentation to determine the extent of necessary changes, the need to obtain additional information, and the continued eligibility of participant families.

• Assists with tenant selection according to HUD and DCHA guidance.

• Processes tenant eligibility determinations, voucher issuance and lease up.

• Processes and approves/rejects lease-up packages in accordance with HCVP policies and procedures.

• Processes new and transfers applicant/participant moves.

• Interviews applicant and participant families as required to complete lease-ups and interim/scheduled recertifications.

• Determines when there have been HAP overpayments to landlords and applies related retro-active rent charges.

• Acts as initial point of contact for resolution to all community, owner, or participant concerns or complaints for caseload assigned.

• Processes HAP abatements and recommends participants for termination related to information found as part of the recertification process. Assures accuracy in the amount of adjustments; ensures that affected parties are notified accordingly.

• Reviews landlord rental increase requests, determines impact, re-calculates rental rates, and prepares necessary documentation.

• Conducts interim recertifications based on tenant's own report of changes in income, family composition, and deductible expenses.

• Consults with tenants, landlords, and officials to resolve situations and determine applicable measures to be taken.

• Assists in the training of new staff.

• Assists in the development of procedures and in problem solving with leadership.

• Assists with special projects such as data clean up and development of workflows and training materials.

• Resolves complex cases involving rent adjustments, income discrepancies, and fraud.

• Authorizes voucher size changes as required based on DCHA occupancy standards and verified household composition information collected during scheduled and interim recertifications.

• Participates in voucher briefings and issuances.

• Arranges for inspections to ensure that units comply with housing quality standards as determined necessary during the recertification, lease-up and tenant complaint processes.

• Prepares correspondence, technical and status reports, etc. as needed to keep management informed of the progress of assigned activities.

• Performs third party verifications in accordance with local regulations and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements for third party verification.

• Counsels tenants as to policies and procedures relative to continued occupancy of a housing unit within the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

• Provides assistance on routine matters related to the Housing Choice Voucher Program (i.e., rent calculations and grievance procedures).

• Refers clients to social service agencies as needed.

• Enters and retrieves data or information from computer system.

• Uploads documents to system of record.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

• Knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements and activities as they apply to the assigned area of responsibility in the DCHA

• Knowledge of DCHA Administrative Plan, other related local regulations and HUD regulations, notices, handbooks and guidance related to the Housing Choice Voucher Program

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong customer service skills

• Accurate performance of basic mathematic operations and numerical skills

• Logical/ analytical problem-solving, report and recommendation development, and adherence to systematic procedures

Education and/or Experience

• Associate's degree in a related field like business, finance, or human services and at least three (3) years' experience in a customer service or administrative capacity is required or a bachelor's degree in social work, business administration, public administration or related field.

• At least 2 years of previous housing authority experience and 2 years of experience as a Housing Choice Voucher Program Specialist. Housing Choice Voucher Program Specialist Certification and Rent Calculation Certification are preferred.

• Other combinations of education and/or experience that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and/or verification of work history.

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check. Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be competent in the use of computer software such as Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.). Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The incumbent works under general supervision. The supervisor makes assignments and outlines overall objectives and discusses with the employee projects and deadlines. The employee plans and carries out assignments, interpreting policies and regulations and resolving most conflicts that arrive. The supervisor assists the employee with unusual situations which do not have clear precedents.

Completed work is reviewed for soundness, and conformity with governing policies and requirements.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines used include, instructions, governing policies, procedures, technical references, manuals, governing laws, regulations and directives of the District of Columbia Housing Authority, applicable federal regulations.

The employee uses judgment in interpreting and deviating or extrapolating from traditional methods in order to resolve problems and achieve desired results.

COMPLEXITY

Assignments include duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend upon the analysis of the issues involved. The employee assures accuracy in lease-ups, continued eligibility determinations/adjustments, ensures affected parties are notified, and counsels tenants/landlords on related policies and procedures. The chosen course of action may be selected from several alternatives.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

The primary work involves conducting lease-ups and scheduled/interim recertifications to determine continued eligibility for participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This includes addressing a variety of leasing and HCVP recertification issues, questions or situations in conformance with established policies, procedures and processes.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with DCHA staff, tenants, landlords, businesses, organizations, government agencies and members of the general public or individuals or groups.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of the contacts is to obtain, clarify and provide information; resolve problems; refer clients; and counsel tenants.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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