Housing Specialist II

City of Tucson

3d•$20 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Specialist II will be responsible for performing critical functions within the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs, including processing applications, conducting recertifications, and managing high-volume caseloads. Ideal candidates will possess strong attention to detail, a results-driven mindset, and the ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and compliance with housing regulations. The role requires individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments, demonstrate a hands-on approach to problem-solving, and consistently deliver high-quality service to program participants. Successful candidates will be highly motivated, independent, and capable of navigating complex housing assistance tasks with a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence. This position is grant funded and funding is reviewed on an annual basis.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
One (1) year of relevant experience
Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or equivalent two (2) years of related experience.
One (1) year of professional work experience in Customer Service or Community and Social Services.
Proficiency with housing software.
Bi-lingual (English / Spanish).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Prior experience providing face-to-face customer service with customers/clients.
Housing Assistance Certifications from a certified organization.
Must be able to access HUD systems as well as State of Arizona verification systems (i.e. DES).

Responsibilities

Interviews applicants, collects required data, and completes applications for continuing eligibility housing assistance.
Reviews the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Program with new applicants and answers questions in the group or individual setting.
Verifies information received from applicants including income, assets, and allowances, to include social services, welfare (TANF/SNAP), childcare and medical expenses to determine continued eligibility for housing assistance or to make interim adjustments due to changes in financial circumstances of participants.
Obtains criminal background from participants and applicants to ensure program compliance.
Investigates reported changes in income, expenses, and participant status to determine if fraudulent information has been reported resulting in deficient participant rent portions and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
Calculates and prorates applicant’s net income, rent, and utility allowances concurrent with the applicant’s acceptance of housing.
Researches and interprets HUD regulations to effectively explain policies and procedures to disseminates rental assistance information to landlords, tenants, and applicants.
Schedules eligible applicants for the program briefing session.
Schedules and conducts recertification appointments and interviews to determine continued eligibility.
Issues voucher authorizing clients to rent housing based on Housing Subsidy Standards.
Distributes packages of information to certified participants relative to the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Identifies errors in rent calculations and initiates measures to collect rent overpayments from participants.
Computes subsidy payments and total tenant payments (TTP) in accordance with established HUD formulas from income data obtained in interviews and investigations.
Generates contract drafts, interim changes, re-certifications, form letters, and other client information and/or correspondence.
Prepares new files for participants relocating from one unit to another unit.
Counsels applicants regarding the size unit, utility allowances, and rent amount allowable under HUD guidelines.
Provides applicants with a landlord packet and a list of apartment and housing listing within the County.
Performs rent reasonableness studies to determine if housing unit rent is comparable to others in the same area or neighborhood.
Responds to phone inquiries, compiles information to generate maintenance work orders, processes paperwork, prepares reports, enters information into the computer system, reviews files for accuracy, and prepares correspondence.
Provides customer service by demonstrating tact and persuasion when dealing with customers who may be or become irate or distraught; listens to customer concerns and asks questions, demonstrates empathy, researches inquiries and discrepancies.
Refers program participants to services offered by other community-based organizations.
Coordinates with landlords and participants to facilitate occupancy and resolve landlord tenant issues.
Consults with other housing districts regarding billing and case progress of portables residing in and out of the housing jurisdiction.
Communicates with housing inspectors to request inspections of rental units.
Covers front desk in the absence of the front desk attendant to engage and assist with visitors as needed.
Assists in the preparation and analysis for required reporting including Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP), Rental Integrity Monitoring (RIM), and corrective action plans.
Purges participant files to maintain current data and imports and converts data for merged files.
Processes and documents participant files concerning possible determination from the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
Attends informal hearings related to program violations conducted by a hearing officer to provide information regarding lease agreement, case file notes, and other supporting documentation as needed.
Consults and documents meetings with landlords regarding repeated violations of the dwelling lease agreement and Housing Choice Voucher program.
Assists with quality control through regular audits of housing files and records to ensure compliance with program guidelines.
Determines and processes income summaries for repayment agreements.
Compiles and maintains applicant files consisting of initial applications and supplemental data accumulated through verification procedures.
Assists in the compilation and reporting of data for HUD and other reports.
Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned.