Housing Specialist- Bilingual

Rochester Housing Authority•Rochester, NY

13h

About The Position

For purposes of this document, the general term of ‘Participant’ will be used to refer to Applicants, Tenants, Residents and Participants, both prospective and current. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Employees in this entry-level service title perform a variety of administrative and, clerical tasks, including participant (), landlord and housing authority liaison activities. Housing Specialists may assist management in overseeing day-to-day operations of public housing complexes. Housing Specialists may also manage participants and private landlord relations and interview, evaluate, select, and assist in evicting participants. Employees may perform field work such as inspecting Housing Authority property. Employees work independently, with general supervision from management staff. In the performance of duties of this position, it is necessary for incumbents to converse and correspond with Spanish speaking citizens to explain laws, ordinances, and codes of HUD and the Rochester Housing Authority. Related work is performed as required. Work may be performed in extreme weather and travel situations, as well as in varying living conditions.

Requirements

Ability to maintain confidentiality of information
Ability to multi-task and be efficient
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, management and participants both verbally and in writing, in both English and Spanish
Ability to communicate in writing by preparing documents such as correspondence, memos, simple reports and work orders
Ability to handle daily caseload and maintain files which includes lifting (up to 25 pounds) and transporting of files
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages
Ability to write clearly and transfer and transcribe written and oral information accurately
Ability to read and understand complex regulations, procedures and guidelines
Ability to follow office procedures
Ability to explain rules and guidelines in terms appropriate to the audience
Ability to interview individuals in order to obtain necessary information
Ability to evaluate impartially the validity of information given by all parties in a dispute
Ability to be firm and professional in explaining and enforcing rules and guidelines
Ability to conduct telephone inquiries
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Ability to express compassion and empathy when appropriate
Ability to work with a diverse group of people
Ability to provide good customer service
Ability to translate from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish
Ability to operate a computer
Ability to access multi-story buildings with varying access methods (stairs, elevators, ramps)
Ability to perform in various work environments such as an office, apartments, houses and outside areas
Willingness to work in environments of varying living conditions, as well as extreme weather when traveling between RHA sites
High school diploma or equivalent
Associate's degree in Human Services or Business Administration or a related area OR Two (2) years of work experience involving explaining complex information and making determinations based on complex rules, guidelines or procedures, in fields such as, but not limited to, social services, financial aid, insurance claim investigation, employment and training intake, mortgage origination, housing eligibility intake OR Four (4) years of work experience as described

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of federal, state and local housing and social service program guidelines and regulations
Knowledge of local social and medical services and their referral policies and procedures
Knowledge of RHA policies and procedures as they apply to the job of a Housing Specialist

Responsibilities

Assists with the activities of a small housing office, assigning tasks to clerical workers and monitoring workflow;
Interviews prospective participants to complete housing applications and collect eligibility information and documentation, explain RHA and HUD programs and guidelines, eligibility requirements and lease restrictions, and the rules and regulations applicable to public housing and Section 8 programs;
Conducts recertification of housing eligibility for current participants;
Interviews new and current participants to obtain data regarding income and household expenses and to collect documents of proof;
Verifies that information provided by housing participants is accurate by inspecting documents and contacting social service agencies, employers, etc. by phone or mail;
Determines eligibility and suitability of participants for residency in public housing and Section 8 programs;
Computes income and expenses to determine participants rental charges according to the Authority's policies and HUD's rules and regulations;
Inspects rental units to assess housekeeping habits of participants and identify repair and maintenance needs and need for correction of safety hazards;
Discusses with public housing participants complaints against them such as poor housekeeping habits, insect infestations, landlord/neighbor relations, noise, etc., and delivers oral and written lease enforcement notices when necessary;
Recommends eviction of participants when necessary and assists with eviction proceedings;
Assists landlords with completing forms for lease and contract renewals to receive rental subsidies for privately owned housing;
May contact various human service agencies and refers tenants to such organizations as visiting nurses, Department of Social Services, medical transportation and youth and family counseling;
May collect rents and other participants charges, make deposits and prepare appropriate documentation;
Writes letters, memos, simple reports, and completes a variety of forms and ledgers using a personal computer;
Uses the Spanish language as needed while in the performance of job duties.