Housing Choice Voucher Specialist

Norfolk Redevelopment And Housing Authority•Norfolk, VA

7d•$24 - $39

About The Position

The Housing Choice Voucher Specialist administers Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program procedures for participants and landlords. The role determines and verifies individual Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Utility Allowance Payment (UAP) subsidies, counsels participants and landlords, responds to inquiries, maintains accurate and confidential records, completes program-related projects, and supports audits and internal control measures. The Specialist evaluates initial and continued participant and landlord eligibility; processes initial, annual, and interim certifications; handles portability procedures; calculates subsidies and rent determinations; verifies rents and documentation; coordinates housing quality standards inspections; monitors compliance; and may recommend participant or landlord termination. The role also conducts voucher briefings, helps participants search for eligible and affordable housing, investigates complaints and fraud reports, completes administrative and reporting work, and supports audit follow-up. The position requires college coursework in Social Work, Sociology, Business Administration, or a related field, along with two to four years of progressively responsible experience in rental assistance housing programs, social work, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience. The employee must be or be eligible to become a commissioned Notary Public in Virginia, possess a valid driver’s license, pass pre-hire background and reference checks, and maintain confidentiality and comply with NRHA’s ethics policies. The role includes frequent sitting, talking, seeing, or hearing; occasional standing and walking; and occasional lifting or moving of up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

College coursework in Social Work, Sociology, Business Administration, or a related field.
Two to four years of progressively responsible experience in rental assistance housing programs, social work, or a related field; an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience may qualify.
Must be or be eligible to become a commissioned Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Subject to a background check and reference verification before hire.
Must maintain confidentiality and comply with NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to HCV eligibility and continued rental assistance, including the HCV Program Administrative Plan.
Knowledge of HCV organization, programs, Code of Federal Regulations, policies, and practices.
Knowledge of policies related to applicant eligibility and placement, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other relevant policies and procedures.
Operational knowledge of NRHA organization, programs, policies, and practices.
Operational knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Office programs, and housing database management applications.
Human-relations skills, including leadership, consulting, negotiating, and persuasion, and the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people, including uncooperative individuals.
Ability to deal courteously and effectively with the public, program participants, employees, and external contacts, while maintaining confidentiality.
Oral and written communication skills to explain moderately complex and technical information, give clear instructions, prepare reports, and respond to job-related questions.
Ability to comprehend and interpret moderately complex and technical information.
Ability to analyze detailed application data to determine eligibility for public housing or rental assistance.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in moderately complex operational activities.
Frequently required to sit, talk, see, or hear; occasionally required to stand and walk; occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds.

Responsibilities

Determine participant eligibility and continued eligibility; process initial, annual, and interim certifications and administer voucher portability procedures.
Communicate with participants, recommend program termination when appropriate, establish and monitor repayment agreements, and ensure compliance with HCV policies and procedures.
Obtain and verify household income and family-composition information; calculate HAP and UAP subsidies and rent determinations; enter data, notify relevant parties, and support timely subsidy payments.
Determine landlord eligibility, process eligibility and property-owner documents, verify and document rent reasonableness, request and track initial housing quality standards inspections, and monitor landlord compliance.
Identify prospective landlords, maintain communications with landlords, track and report vacancies, and recommend termination of landlord participation when appropriate.
Organize and conduct voucher education and issuance briefings, explain the program, assist voucher holders in finding eligible and affordable housing, and conduct portability orientations.
Counsel participants and landlords, receive and respond to inquiries, and provide guidance on HCV policies and requirements.
Verify and enter participant and landlord data in the HCV database, maintain hard-copy files, prepare periodic activity reports, and protect client data confidentiality and security.
Receive and monitor complaints, investigate fraud reports, and determine continued eligibility or necessary corrective action.
Perform program assignments such as fraud investigations, participant-landlord dispute resolution, property-damage claims, and program research.
Prepare files for review, respond to auditors, submit reports, and take action on audit findings.
Prepare reports, correspondence, memoranda, forms, and other administrative materials; update and maintain HCV process and activity records.
Perform other related work as required.