Housing Landlord Support Specialist - Grant-Funded

City of Mesa•Mesa, AZ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This classification has been designated as a grant-funded, non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position. A Housing Landlord Support Specialist acts as a primary staff contact for City of Mesa property owners and managers through a strategic landlord engagement approach, conflict resolution, and advocacy. Responsibilities include: serving as the primary point of contact for City of Mesa landlords, property owners, and managers in the housing and rental assistance programs; assuming ownership of all facets of landlord engagement such as visiting landlords to explain their role and responsibilities as a landlord and Mesa’s Housing Authority’s role, and the importance of enforcing their leases; resolving conflict between property owners and tenants; implementing engagement strategies (example: providing landlords and property management companies a dedicated point of contact for questions, concerns, and follow up) to increase the number of owners and managers willing to participate in the housing choice voucher programs; educating the owners/managers and landlords about the benefits, rights, and responsibilities of working with Mesa’s housing/tenant based rental assistance programs; conducting outreach, recruiting new landlords/property managers, retaining existing landlords, inviting participants to conferences/training sessions, and coordinating meetings with owners/property managers of rental units through phone calls, site visits, in-person and virtual meetings, and targeted marketing campaigns; administering the housing solutions incentive program by reviewing landlord eligibility and sending housing assistance payments such as sign on bonuses, vacancy payments, and payments for damages to rental unit(s); notifying other housing staff when a new landlord is recruited and a new unit becomes available; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders; and serving as a backup in the absence of the Housing Quality Standards Inspector which may involve attending and completing quality control inspections. Additional duties include: preparing PowerPoint presentations, housing related documents/forms, and reports for tracking visits, recruitments, participation, program results, and incentive payments that are provided to the Financial Services Department for the US Treasury American Rescue Plan Act report; collecting and providing related performance measurement data to the Housing Supervisor; planning and implementing the annual landlord seminar to provide housing program updates and recognition to new and existing participants; and answering questions from owners, property managers, and landlords. This class performs related duties as required. This class is supervised by the Housing Supervisor or designee who reviews work through conferences, meetings, written reports, and results achieved. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Real Estate, Property Management, or related field.
One year of experience in housing programs (such as: Housing Choice Voucher, tenant based rental assistance, or similar programs), property management, or other rental assistance programs.
Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for City of Mesa landlords, property owners, and managers in the housing and rental assistance programs.
Assume ownership of all facets of landlord engagement, including explaining roles and responsibilities, and the importance of enforcing leases.
Resolve conflict between property owners and tenants.
Implement engagement strategies to increase participation in housing choice voucher programs.
Educate owners, managers, and landlords about the benefits, rights, and responsibilities of working with housing/tenant based rental assistance programs.
Conduct outreach, recruit new landlords/property managers, and retain existing landlords.
Coordinate meetings with owners/property managers through various communication methods.
Administer the housing solutions incentive program, including reviewing eligibility and processing payments.
Notify other housing staff when a new landlord is recruited and a new unit becomes available.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
Serve as a backup for the Housing Quality Standards Inspector, potentially attending and completing quality control inspections.
Prepare PowerPoint presentations, housing-related documents/forms, and reports for tracking program data and incentive payments.
Collect and provide performance measurement data to the Housing Supervisor.
Plan and implement the annual landlord seminar.
Answer questions from owners, property managers, and landlords.