Housing Specialist

Virginia Department of Social Services•Rustburg, VA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an essential position classified as sensitive. The Housing Specialist will interview and assess applicants’ eligibility for participation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. Responsibilities include planning, preparing, and conducting prescreening of prospective tenants, explaining program rights and responsibilities, and conducting initial, annual, and interim certifications for program participants for continued eligibility. The role involves submitting inspection requests timely and accurately into the Virginia Housing (VH) data system and collaborating with VH’s contracted inspection vendor to ensure compliance. The specialist will conduct initial, annual, and special inspections of rental units to ensure compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS), VH, and HUD regulations. A significant portion of time will be spent conducting field visits, conferring with property owners/landlords and tenants to resolve issues, and preparing/maintaining files and records. Determining continued eligibility involves obtaining required documents and calculating income/assets correctly. Accurate and timely data entry in VH systems, scanning and uploading files into eDocs, and preparing local and VH reports are key. The position requires maintaining monthly Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) spreadsheets, addressing participant issues impacting program participation, including mental and physical health needs, and accurately documenting case activities. Monitoring and utilizing VH/Elite reports for program compliance and deadline management is essential. The role also involves facilitating group presentations, assessing customer needs for other assistance, and collaborating with agency and community partners. The specialist will work cooperatively with VH and other housing agencies, participate in Emergency Shelter training and exercises, and staff the emergency shelter during disasters/emergencies. The position may require working during public health emergencies and demands a professional, positive attitude, teamwork, and strong relationships within the agency and community.

Requirements

Working knowledge of principles and practices of assigned human services programs.
Working knowledge of local service agencies and organizations and departmental programs and activities.
Working knowledge of program management and development.
Working knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and standards related to the program.
Working knowledge of program terminology, principles and methods utilized in the program.
Working knowledge of human behavior.
Working knowledge of working with vulnerable populations, and diverse backgrounds.
Working knowledge of HUD/ Virginia Housing policy concerning the HCV Program.
Skill in operating a computer to enter, retrieve or modify data.
Skill in the use of spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with clientele and staff explaining complex policies.
Demonstrated ability to gather and interpret data, assess program, clientele needs.
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate and evaluate program activities.
Demonstrated ability to train, advise, direct and evaluate others on program requirements.
Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
Demonstrated ability to identify problems and needs and assess services in problem solving.
Demonstrated ability to demonstrate awareness of bias and avoid stereotypes.
Demonstrated ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to conduct effective training for housing tenants and landlords/property managers.
Demonstrated ability to public speaking.
Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of people.
Demonstrated ability to produce meaningful, clear, and concise documents with the proper grammar and usage.
Demonstrated ability to comprehend and interpret program/technical reports and related materials.
Demonstrated ability to conduct home inspections.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain an effective professional working relationship with associates and the general public.
Ability to make and implement case decisions, assess family's strengths and needs in all areas.
Ability to objectively plan, reason and negotiate.
Willing to work outside normal business hours.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Interview and assess applicants’ eligibility for participation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
Plan, prepare, and conduct prescreening of prospective tenants.
Explain rights and responsibility of program participants.
Conduct initial, annual, and interim certifications for program participants for continued eligibility.
Submit inspection requests timely and accurately into the Virginia Housing (VH) data system.
Collaborate with VH’s contracted inspection vendor to ensure inspection requests are processed timely and in compliance with Virginia Housing’s policy.
Conduct initial, annual, and special inspections as needed of identified rental units to ensure compliance with program requirements and to ensure safe, sanitary, and suitable conditions in accordance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS), VH, and HUD regulations.
Confer with property owners/landlords and tenants to resolve housing issues/concerns.
Prepare and maintain files/records in accordance with Virginia Housing (VH) and HUD requirements.
Determine continued eligibility for program participation by obtaining required documents and calculating income/assets correctly.
Provide accurate and timely data entry in the VH systems.
Scan and upload files into the VH data systems, eDocs, in a timely manner.
Prepare local and VH reports.
Maintain monthly Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) spreadsheets.
Address issues/concerns with participants that impact program participation addressing client mental and physical health needs.
Accurately and timely document case activities/contacts.
Monitor and utilize VH/Elite reports for program compliance and managing deadlines.
Facilitate/conduct group presentations for customers and/or property owners/managers.
Assess customer needs for other assistance and utilize agency and community partners to address/meet those needs.
Work cooperatively with VH, other housing agencies, and authorities.
Participate in Emergency Shelter training and exercises and staff the emergency shelter during periods of disaster/emergencies.
Work outside normal business hours when required.