Housing Specialist

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency•Marshall, MO

About The Position

The Housing Specialist is responsible for assisting in developing and planning housing supportive services ventures in the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency seven-county area. As the Section 8 Housing Specialist, this position inspects existing residential buildings and dwelling units to determine compliance with the Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. This position promotes and provides opportunities to staff to embody the agency mission which is “To Engage Communities and Coordinate Resources to Improve the Lives of People Experiencing Poverty”. Program operation is designed around the mission, vision and values of the agency to meet both program and agency strategies and goals.

Requirements

Has reliable attendance
Willingness to do tasks even if they fall outside of job duties
Promotes a positive work environment
Organized/Manages time wisely
Represents the agency well to outsiders
High School Diploma or GED
Negative results of initial and random drug testing
Family Care Safety Registry and fingerprint criminal background screening with acceptable results
Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle
Perform duties with a focus on safety and wellness
Adhere to agency policies and code of ethics
Verification of identity and authorization for employment in the United States (I9 and E-Verify)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) or equivalent; or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Participates & attends professional meetings and trainings as well as agency committees and ad-hoc teams as assigned
Becomes familiar with other areas of the Housing Programs in order to ensure overall Program effectiveness
Assist the Outreach Service Manager in strategic planning for future housing ventures, including conducting and updating housing needs assessments, preparing applications for submission to funding sources, and developing social, recreational and curricular programs, personnel policies and procedures
Stay informed about project-related legislative and technical developments, including software and regulatory mandates.
Perform &/or supervise preparation and maintenance of files, reports, and forms as they relate to the Section 8 HCV program and individuals that qualify for rental assistance and complete Annual and Interim re-examinations and data entry.
Obtains permission or makes appointments with owners and tenants to enter dwellings for inspections
Examines visually all areas to determine compliance with Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program for heating, lighting, ventilating, and plumbing installations
Inspects premises for overall cleanliness, adequate disposal of garbage and rubbish, and for signs of vermin infestation; security, safety, structural issues, lead-based paint, and mold; and site and neighborhood to determine compliance with Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)program.
Prepares forms and letters advising property owners of possible violations and time allowed for correcting deficiencies.
Consults violation reports and revisits dwellings at periodic intervals to verify correction of violations by property owners and tenants.
Explains/briefs requirements of Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program rules & regulations to property owners, tenants, and other interested parties.
Distributes informational materials to tenants and landlords regarding Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program rules & regulations.
Completes reports and paperwork necessary for inspections.
Assist with or prepare funding source reports, account reconciliation, monthly and quarterly reports, billings, and program/participant records
Coordinate paperwork with internal and external entities in maintaining and transmitting information, i.e. MVCAA Fiscal Dept., HUD, Missouri Dept. of Mental Health, grant entities, etc.
Assist with the creation of new forms or systems.
Follow confidentiality procedures as directed by government, agency and department guidelines.
Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Housing Director
Efficiently enters data into the HAPPY/Housing Pro system
Performs clerical duties which includes labels, assembling packets, photocopying, faxing, scanning, typing, correspondence, phone duties, mail (in-going & out-going) and shredding.