Housing Inspector

CIty of Everett Housing Authority•Everett, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Inspections Manager, and as part of EHA’s housing inspections team, the Housing Inspector conducts inspections on properties subsidized with rental assistance from EHA, provides reports, and enforces compliance with EHA policy and regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Housing Inspector is also responsible for conducting rent comparability analyses and determining utility allowances.

Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Knowledge of local and state building codes
Skill in reading, understanding, interpreting, and explaining complicated rules and regulations
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Ability to work respectfully and courteously with other EHA employees, residents, landlords, and the public
Knowledge of effective conflict resolution strategies an ability to effectively resolve disputes
Ability to exercise independent judgment within organizational guidelines
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English and follow oral and written directions
Proficiency in current office technology and software applications
Ability to quickly and efficiently learn and use equipment in the field to document inspections
Defensive driving skills and ability to drive and walk safely in inclement weather conditions
Rent comparability analysis
Requires a high school diploma.
Requires two years of college or vocational/technical school, or may substitute an additional Two (2) years of relevant work experience for the two years of college or vocational/technical school.
Requires Five (5) years of experience in housing construction, maintenance, property management, housing program administration, or related fields, including Two (2) years of experience in building inspections, construction, property management, or in a technical trade such as plumbing, electrical, or HVAC.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in housing, building, or construction inspections preferred.
Prior government work experience
Fluency in Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Arabic, or Spanish language.

Responsibilities

Inspect properties, including grounds, structures, building systems and equipment for compliance with HUD inspection standards.
Complete inspections and reports, including quality control, complaint, initial, annual re-inspections, special inspections and other inspections as assigned.
Efficiently schedule inspections to minimize driving between inspections.
Communicate effectively with owners, participants and EHA staff including constituents for whom English is not their first language.
Make independent judgments in the field in accordance with departmental policy and effectively communicate these decisions and findings to others to obtain compliance.
Conduct analysis of market and property, recommend and/or negotiate contract rent and any prorated amounts within the scope of the rent reasonableness, Fair Market Rents, Payments Standards, Exception Rents, and/or Annual Adjustment Factors.
Determine and explain calculations regarding how income, rent and abatements are derived.
Identify and cite inspection deficiencies, discuss and document deficiencies with owner/tenant, and prepare deficiency lists, memos, and reports, including data entry into agency software programs.
Recommend preventative and corrective actions to owners and tenants to ensure housing units comply with requirements.
Establish deadlines for the completion of work.
Document efforts to bring properties into compliance
Identify, research, and analyze complex inspections-related issues; develop plans of action; negotiate and resolve inspections-related issues with maintenance field staff, residents, and others; oversee identified issues to resolution.
Interact with the public (individuals, groups and agencies) to present and provide program information, according to Rental Assistance procedures and regulations; proactively communicate with the management groups regarding NSPIRE inspections.
Coordinate special tasks/projects, as assigned, according to established procedures and regulations, including the completion of required reports for all customers, internal and external (i.e. Agencies, Maintenance, Property Management, Area Administrators, HUD, or Supervisors) as needed.
Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide seamless customer service to residents, landlords, and other agency departments.
Participate in the development and implementation of goals, work plans, performance measures, and continuous improvement of service delivery to assist in attaining the department initiatives and goals, agency core strategies, and mission through a spirit of service, teamwork, and respect.
Attend all required training and safety meetings; use, maintain and replace assigned personal protective equipment; report all injuries and illnesses to supervisor immediately; complete and submit incident/accident reports as required; report hazardous conditions or unsafe work practices to supervisor; follow all safety and health guidelines, practices, policies, and procedures; and actively support and participate in the Emergency Preparedness program and tasks.
Back-up other inspections staff on leave or vacant positions as assigned.
Maintain assigned EHA vehicle.