Housing Specialist II

Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Housing Specialist II is responsible for interviewing residents and applicants to determine eligibility for HCV/Section 8 Programs, processing changes, calculating payments, and providing customer service. This role involves extensive use of CMHA’s software system and Microsoft Office Suite, maintaining client records, and ensuring compliance with agency policies and federal regulations. The position requires developing positive professional relationships with clients and property owners, assisting with briefing sessions, and preparing various documents and reports. Additionally, the incumbent must process terminations, respond to communications, and provide excellent customer service according to CMHA’s Gold Standards.

Requirements

Knowledge of PC-based software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Outlook).
At least two (2) years of college level courses in Business Math, Social Work, Community Relations or Communication or equivalent experience.
At least two (2) years’ experience in social work or related field, which requires contact with the public, or similar work involving evaluation of personal income and other assets.
Proficient in basic business math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and calculation of fractions and percentages).
Experience with implementing contracts, policies, and procedures.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Excellent customer services skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Must enjoy working with numbers and have the ability to frequently memorize data.
Possess and maintain a valid driver's license in state of residence, and maintain an insurable driving record under the terms and conditions of the CMHA auto liability policy.
May have no more than 6 accumulated points in 3 consecutive years.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of HUD regulations and advanced business math.
Must possess a housing specialist certification within 12 months of employment with CMHA as a HCV/Section 8 Housing Specialist.
Must take and pass all additional certification training and certifications offered during the course of employment in this position.

Responsibilities

Interview residents and applicants to obtain and verify all income and family composition to establish initial and continued eligibility for HCV/Section 8 Programs.
Complete all required certifications timely, in accordance with agency policies, procedures, and federal regulations.
Process reported changes of applicant and participating families utilizing CMHA’s software system.
Calculate monthly payments for housing assistance payment, tenant rent to owner, and utilities.
Perform walk-in duty to provide assistance to clients.
Generate appointments, terminations, addendum notifications, and various correspondence, forms, and letters from CMHA’s software system for participants, owners, applicants, and others in accordance with program rules.
Develop positive professional relationships with applicants, participants, and property owners for delivery of service in accordance with CMHA’s established Gold Performance Standards.
Follow up with the client and landlord to gather necessary forms and/or status of units.
Assist with and conduct briefing sessions, performing a re-briefing if the client does not understand or needs clarity concerning the HCV/Section 8 programs.
Update client records, answer questions, and estimate the subsidy, tenant rent to owner, and utilities for applicants and participants in accordance with program rules, regulations, and CMHA’s established SOPs.
Process RTAs and list units for inspection.
Answer and timely respond to email, phone, verbal, electronic, and written communications from both internal and external clients.
Prepare a variety of correspondence and reports utilizing primarily Microsoft Office and CMHA’s Agency specific Software system(s).
Prepare, organize, print, and assemble various materials used in a variety of agency functions.
Input information and extrapolate reports from the computer system relative to the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Review and process information for both owner and participant terminations from the HCV program.
Provide customer service in accordance with CMHA’s Gold Standards to both internal and external clients, community stakeholders, and other agency contacts.
Perform additional duties as assigned.