HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER SPECIALIST

06890

(Competitive)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

The work involves performing a variety of procedures to achieve and maintain high utilization and delivery of housing assistance subsidy vouchers to qualified participants through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and other housing assistance programs providing housing subsidies for privately owned rental properties. The Specialist must implement policies and procedures including maintaining applicant waitlists, interviewing and screening of applicants to effectively and accurately evaluate eligibility and income, calculating rents and utility allowances accurately, issuing subsidy vouchers, assisting with housing search, evaluating rent reasonableness, and handling lease and grievance procedures. May supervise a small number of clerical workers. The work is carried out under the general supervision of the Housing Compliance Manager or other higher level employee. Independent action in carrying out the work is allowed. Does related work as required.

 

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Maintains high HCV program utilization by tracking and filling Voucher vacancies.

Screens and interviews program applicants and participants to determine initial and continuing program eligibility.

Verifies provided information by requesting and reviewing third-party documentation obtained from employers, government programs and the on­ line Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System, etc., regarding the participant's income, expenses and other factors affecting program eligibility and rent share.

Prepares, executes and issues all HCV contract documents between participants, landlords, the Housing Authority HCV program, and/or other housing agencies.

Schedules Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections with the Housing Inspectors.

Explains and interprets HUD and SHA policies, procedures and regulations to program participants including voucher subsidy applicants and recipients, and landlords; Policies and procedures include wait list process, program eligibility and income requirements, participant rent share, utility allowances, portability of voucher subsidy to other HCV programs, lease and grievance procedures, housing quality standards, and program rights and responsibilities.

Enforces compliance with HUD's regulations for "Rent Reasonableness" by comparing and evaluating rent amounts proposed by the Voucher holder and landlord against the amounts recommended for comparable housing units obtained from the computer program for rent reasonableness.

Negotiates with landlord for lower rent if necessary.

Contacts program participants by letter, phone and in person concerning annual and interim certifications, moving from current address, and property inspection issues, or may supervise clerical staff who perform such duties.

Maintains computerized records and databases on each voucher holder and unit leased.

Mediates complaints between tenant and landlord program participants including providing accurate information, and applying knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations to tenant and landlord disputes and questions about program rights and responsibilities.

Prepares reports regarding status of certification issues, failed HQS inspections, and portability.

Prepares documentation for program termination proceedings.

Performs special priority screening and leasing procedures for applicants with elevated blood-lead levels in order to comply with HUD's Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control regulations.

May pursue the resolution of outstanding accounts. Acts as liaison with an outside collection agency for delinquent fraud repayment accounts.

 

 

 

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Good knowledge of the policies, methods and practices of the Syracuse Housing Authority and the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) related to the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Housing Assistance Payments processes.

Good knowledge of general casework principles and practices as they apply to low-income housing assistance program management.

Good knowledge of the needs and socioeconomic problems associated with low income families and individuals.

Ability to manage a low-income housing assistance client caseload in a manner that facilitates effective, accurate and prompt service delivery.

Ability to comply with mandatory client, staff and agency confidentiality policies and rules.

Ability to understand and interpret written material including HUD forms and regulations

Ability to use tact and courtesy and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people including professional colleagues, landlords, and elderly, disabled and low income program participants.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence.

Ability to supervise subordinates.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Promotion: Two (2) years of permanent competitive class in the title of Tenant Selector.

 

Open Competitive:

 

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's Degree in public or business administration, management, or human services, and two (2) years of work experience or its part-time equivalent in residential property management, social or community services, assisted housing program eligibility determination, or a closely related field; or,

 

B. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an associate’s degree in public or business administration, management, or human services, and four (4) years of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in, residential property management, social or community services, assisted housing program eligibility determination, or a closely related field; or,

 

C. Six (6) years of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in residential property management, social or community services, assisted housing program eligibility determination, or a closely related field; or,

 

D. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) and (C).

 

 

7/2013 Date of Original Composition