Program Specialist I

Housing Authority of Baltimore City•Baltimore, MD

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision, provides case management to Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) applicants and participants; Performs client eligibility, move, and recertification activities in compliance with HUD guidelines and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City’s (HABC) policies. Provides clear and informative information orally and in writing to applicants, participants, landlords, other agencies, and employees. Maintains caseload, performs data entry, and creates reports. Maintains error rate below the established departmental thresholds. May be trained in multiple functions and be reassigned as needed to support workload priorities. Position requires excellent customer service skills and mathematical abilities. All activities must support the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC” or “Authority”) mission, strategic goals, and objectives.

Requirements

Graduation from a four (4) year college or University with a bachelor’s degree in business or a social service-related field of study.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Possession of a valid Maryland driver's license.
Must be able to be covered under the Authority's vehicle insurance policy.
Availability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
Successful completion of a pre-screening investigation, including verification of employment history and education credentials.

Nice To Haves

Section 8 Rent Calculation and Section 8 Occupancy certification within 12 months of employment.

Responsibilities

Performs case management functions. Maintains and analyzes information on account activities and accurately completes related data entry.
Determines client eligibility and completes HUD’s re-certification and re-examination procedures for new and existing clients. Verifies household composition and income following verification procedures, coordinates unit inspections, contacts voucher holders, and prepares paperwork.
Communicates with clients, property owners, tenants, other agencies, and employees by telephone, in writing, or in person.
Assists with new & existing client and landlord orientations.
Explains HUD regulations and contract terms.
Obtains documentation to assist clients.
Completes accurate and expedient contract work.
Provides information about housing assistance programs.
Provides applicants and participants with community-based information, i.e., social services and housing agencies such as shelters, fair housing agencies, Legal Aid Bureau Inc., and government-sponsored social services agencies. Makes referrals to other service agencies and organizations as warranted.
Maintains records and notates software and trackers for all communication, throughout the process. Ensures participant files are complete and uploaded electronically.
Conducts home visits and site visits as needed.
Serves as a resource for new and existing team members
Performs other related duties.
Conducts interviews and reviews client documents for completeness and accuracy to determine tenant portions and eligibility for continued housing assistance.
Calculates Total Tenant Payments (TTP), Housing Assistance payments (HAP), and utility allowances. Reviews rent calculations for completeness and accuracy to determine tenant portions and housing assistance.
Determines move eligibility, coordinates/hosts voucher briefings, monitors voucher issuance and expiration
Completes caseload as assigned within the required timeframe.
Monitors applicant selection, preference policies, portability, denials of assistance, voucher issuance, expiration, and withdrawals.
Coordinates voucher briefings and transfer requests, monitors voucher issuance and expiration. Ensures timely submission of move-in documents from landlords for project- and tenant-based programs.
Verify applicant selection, preference policies, denials of assistance, voucher issuance, expiration, and withdrawals.
Conduct on-site and off-site eligibility interviews and briefings for voucher issuance.
Process applications and make final eligibility determination.
Complete voucher holder moves, perform rent reasonableness and rent affordability, rent increases, and utility change requests.
Coordinates with HCVP Inspections to request unit inspections.
Ensures landlord leases are within HUD and agency guidelines, verifies landlord documents are legitimate, and complies with HABC policies and procedures
Prepares Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts
Process incoming and outgoing portability requests in accordance with HUD regulations and agency policies
Process billing and coordinate absorption with initial and receiving Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)
Monitor and track portability activity to ensure timely processing and compliance deadlines