Assisted Housing Specialist (Leasing)

This is professional and technical work involves the coordination, implementation and monitoring of Housing Choice Voucher Program tenant and landlord processes. An employee in this class plans, supervises and reviews tenant applications, determines eligibility based on income and family composition and computes housing assistance payments and family rental rates. Work includes lease negotiations, determination of reasonable rents, resolution of property damages and participant/landlord complaints. Work is performed with considerable independence under the minimal supervision of the Assisted Housing Supervisor or Assisted Housing Team Lead.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

• Meeting with Realtors and property owners to promote the housing program and encourage increased landlord participation.
• Oversees and coordinates the issuance of Housing Choice Vouchers to eligible participants.
• Oversees and coordinates the landlord briefings each quarter.
• Point person for landlord questions regarding Rent Café questions, concerns, and access.
• Reviewing tenant applications for housing assistance payments, determining eligibility based on income and family composition, and determining the reasonableness of rents.
• Computing housing assistance payments, family rental rates and coordinating the inspection of the proposed housing unit.
• Contacting landlords to determine contract rent, authorizing payments to landlords and executing HAP contracts.
• Conducting annual re-examinations of family eligibility and/or rental amounts.
• Process leasing within 15 days of receipt to remain in compliance of legislative rule VA HB 6.
• Monitoring and keeping an accurate account of all leasing packets received while providing timely updates to the Assisted Housing Supervisor
• Review and process landlord contract rent increase request within the specified timeframe.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Effective Communication:

• Responds to inquiries by sharing information in a well-organized manner
• Participates fully in one-on-one and group meetings by communicating openly and honestly
• When conflicts arise, seeks positive resolution by engaging directly with those involved

Customer Service:

• Demonstrates full understanding of how one’s own work/role relates to the team goals in fulfilling client needs
• Demonstrates an understanding of the client’s needs

Initiative:

• Demonstrates insight into operational processes by suggesting new approaches
• Collaborates with others to analyze and evaluate the value of alternative approaches for improving programs and services

Job Knowledge:

• Seeks assignments that provide development opportunities in new areas
• Seeks mentoring from others

Responsiveness and Accountability:

• Results driven, holds oneself accountable for achieving goals not just completing tasks
• Demonstrates support for decisions made by others
• Identifies and communicates issues relating to own work that create obstacles in processes and procedures

Teamwork:

• Demonstrates full understanding of the team’s work processes and procedures
• Collaborates with others to identify, understand, and present solutions to others
• Secures the confidence of fellow team members

Job Competencies

• Considerable knowledge of subsidized housing program requirements and guidance as reflected in HUD regulations, handbooks, notices, forms, and guides RRHA HCVP policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of non-program federal requirements that affect income and rent determinations, including fair housing and equal opportunity, fraud and program abuse, personnel, and employment practices.
• Knowledge of HUD established performance standards (for HCV, SEMAP indicators) and RRHA –established performance standards as they relate to income and rent determinations.
• Ability to apply HUD and RRHA policies and procedures to consistently produce on-time and accurate income, rent and subsidy calculations.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply HUD regulations, references, rules and polices and guidelines.
• Ability to independently make sound judgments in accordance with applicable laws, rules, polices and guidelines.
• Excellent time management, organizational, interpersonal, public speaking, research, analysis, and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Excellent computer skills and the ability make error-free mathematical computations and accurately complete detailed documents are essential.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with landlords, tenants, employees, and the general public.
• Must have a working knowledge of effective interviewing methods and techniques.
• Must have a working knowledge of the principles and methods of social services casework management and ability to apply them to homeownership services.
• RRHA Employees must have the technical aptitude to be able to use a variety of software and equipment, including but not limited to: Yardi, ADP/UKG, Microsoft 365, etc. on an as-needed basis.

Education and/or Experience (The following requirements may be used to evaluate applicants for employment. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for differences in experience and education.)

Education: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree program in public or business administration or a behavioral science; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Experience: Public sector experience; or any equivalent combination or education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Must possess certification as a Public Housing Manager or Certified Property Manager or possession of a probationary certificate from a HUD-approved accredited organization to be obtained within two years of the initial date of employment. Certification in Eligibility, Occupancy, and Rent Calculation from a HUD Certified Trainer or obtained within (1st) year of employment.

Strength Requirements

Sedentary Work: Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs may be defined as Sedentary when walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other Sedentary criteria are met. Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.