Administrator of Federal Housing Programs

Delaware State Housing Authority•Dover, DE

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Administrator of Federal Housing Programs (FHP) is primarily responsible for overseeing DSHA’s administration of federal rental assistance, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program, special purpose vouchers (e.g. VASH, FUP, FYI, Mainstream), and public housing. The position is responsible for diligently overseeing DSHA’s tenant waitlist, admissions, certifications/recertifications, tenant customer service, and landlord relations required for effective administration of DSHA’s rental assistance programs. The Administrator of Federal Housing Programs must possess exceptional supervisory skills, a deep working knowledge of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and other HUD programs, and a demonstrated ability to plan and execute strategy driven by data and policy goals. In concert with other senior leaders, the Administrator helps create and sustain a culture of excellence, transparency, and accountability. This role reports to the Director of DSHA’s Public Housing Authority.

Requirements

Knowledge of the general operations and procedures of DSHA, HUD, Federal and State programs, and properties.
Ability to orient other employees and to explain organizational policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
Knowledge of affordable housing, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, other HUD programs (e.g., VASH, FUP, Mainstream), data and metrics relevant to housing program optimization, budgeting, accounting principles, and other areas relevant to the role described above.
Ideally, the candidate will have knowledge of HUD data systems and policy or demonstrate the ability to quickly learn and lead on these matters.
Ability to set strategic goals, implement complex projects with a team to achieve these goals, and make data-driven decisions along the way.
Knowledge and skill in supervising larger teams with varied skills, experience levels, and responsibilities.
Ability to provide clear direction, constructive oversight, positive motivation and reinforcement, and conflict resolution.
Knowledge of Delaware landlord-tenant code.
Excellent writing and communication skills expected of a senior-level professional; ability to brief leadership on the strategic needs of the division.
Ability to lead a team through uncertainty and through unanticipated challenges.
Ability to manage and diffuse sensitive situations and interpersonal conflict.
Knowledge and skill in supervising larger teams with varied skills and responsibilities.
Ability to set strategic goals, implement complex projects with a team to achieve these goals, and make data-driven decisions along the way.
A bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred but incumbent shall have at least 10 years of professional work experience, ideally in housing administration, asset management, development, finance, or other fields related to the duties of this role, including at least 5 years of management experience with progressive levels of responsibility. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
Knowledge of affordable housing management, property/asset management, budgeting, accounting principles, and other areas relevant to the role described above.
Ideally, the candidate will have knowledge of HUD systems and policy or demonstrate the ability to quickly learn and lead on these matters.
Knowledge and skill in supervising larger teams with varied skills and responsibilities.
Ability to set strategic goals, implement complex projects with a team to achieve these goals, and make data-driven decisions along the way.
Proficiency in using Yardi, DSHA’s property management software, or demonstrate ability to learn Yardi upon hire to a high level of proficiency.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office suite programs and ability to learn other systems relevant to job duties.
Knowledge of Delaware landlord-tenant code.
Excellent business writing and communication skills expected of a senior-level professional; ability to brief leadership on the strategic needs of the division.
Ability to lead a team through uncertainty and through unanticipated challenges.
Ability to manage and diffuse sensitive situations and interpersonal conflict.
Ability to learn relevant new concepts and systems quickly and train others as needed.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SCREENING AND A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE.

Responsibilities

Leads the PHA’s administration of federal housing assistance, from waitlist management, admissions/issuance of vouchers, leasing up, income recertifications (including inspections), landlord engagement (recruiting, retaining, rent increases, troubleshooting), and successful program exits.
Leads and directs the work of the professionals on the Federal Housing Programs Team, establishing and maintaining high performance standards, coordinating work projects/plans within the team or across different divisions, and proactively identifies training or technical assistance needs.
Maintains the highest possible utilization of over 1,200 Housing Choice Vouchers through effective management of DSHA’s operations and people, making changes to policies and processes as needed.
Cultivates, models, and enforces a culture of high-quality customer service as the team works with DSHA residents, landlords, and other external stakeholders and customers on a daily basis.
Continually improves how DSHA works with applicants and residents, making prompt changes based on data trends, and implements policies and procedures when there are new/different regulations, other requirements, and shifting conditions (e.g., technology, staffing, budgeting).
Analyzes data to optimize program performance, staff efficiency, and client satisfaction. To the greatest extent possible, DSHA should issue vouchers swiftly, support residents to lease up in a timely fashion, conduct recertifications on time, resolve landlord payment issues, and otherwise.
Oversees an efficient, effective customer service system that processes and resolves tenant and landlord issues promptly, identifies and empowers clear points of contact, tracks the status of live/unresolved cases, and requires accurate reporting of resolution.
Maintains constant awareness of key performance data indicators of the Federal Housing Programs Team encompassing both program imperatives and organizational performance indicators.
Leads strategic planning for the HCV Program within DSHA, including the completion of the HUD Two-Year Tool that helps forecast need.
Reports DSHA’s data to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other entities with regulatory or contractual authority over DSHA’s programs, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Develops and oversees implementation of remedies to address quality control/compliance issues identified internally or corrective actions issued by regulating entities.
Collaborates closely with the Administrator for Site and Asset Management to coordinate admission and leasing activities across the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), LIHTC and RAD portfolios.
Oversees the Federal Housing Programs Leasing Team in administering the full PBV leasing process for DSHA-managed properties, including waitlist management, eligibility determination and unit selection. Ensure seamless transition of households to the Site and Asset Management Team following lease-up, clearly defining ongoing property management and resident services responsibilities while maintaining program compliance and operation continuity. Also oversees the Federal Housing Programs Leasing Team in working with voucher households from admission to voucher issuance.
Leads professional development for the Federal Housing Programs Team, assessing skills, performance, training, and performance management on a regular basis.
Works with DSHA leadership, community partners, consultants, and other DSHA staff on matters concerning DSHA’s administration of Federal Housing Programs, from everyday issues to strategic planning needs.
Works closely with DSHA finance and accounting management, compliance, and other support functions to maximize the performance and efficiency of DSHA’s rental assistance administration.
Proactively engages with housing industry associations (e.g., NAHRO, CLPHA, PHADA, and Moving to Work Collaborative) and other groups to learn about the latest industry challenges and best practices and promote DSHA’s work when appropriate.
Acts as an exemplary senior leader within DSHA promoting positive, collaborative organizational culture, solutions-oriented decision making, and deep engagement with the broader community.

Benefits

health, vision, and dental insurance
vacation and sick leave
paid holidays
tuition assistance
fitness reimbursement
retirement plan
up to 15 vacation days and 15 sick day leave accrual
up to 13 paid holidays a year
liberal retirement benefits
immediate access to paid health, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance plans and voluntary dental, vision, and various supplemental benefit options