Certification Specialist II

Seattle Housing Authority; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Part-time remote work (dependent on:

Job summary

Seattle Housing Authority seeks a Certification Specialist II to support applicants and participants in navigating housing program rules for eligibility and continued assistance.

Responsibilities include calculating incomes, maintaining records, issuing vouchers, and coordinating with landlords, caseworkers, and SHA staff to ensure timely, accurate responses and compliance with HUD regulations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years of college-level coursework in social services, bookkeeping, business, or related field.
• Four years related work experience in social services, data entry, government administration, or housing.
• One year of experience as a Certification Specialist I at SHA or eighteen months in a similar role outside SHA.

Responsibilities

• Administer, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures needed for eligibility and continuing assistance.
• Calculate incomes from unearned and earned sources, assets and deductions.
• Meet high customer service standards, including annual reviews within 45 days and prompt responses to inquiries.
• Maintain spreadsheets and daily import of documents into electronic file database.
• Coordinate with family members, landlords, caseworkers, and SHA staff to ensure completeness and timeliness.
• Evaluate program eligibility and guide applicants through the voucher application process.
• Issue vouchers to eligible applicants and conduct voucher briefings; explain subsidy calculations and unit affordability.
• Assist participants in leasing and move-in per program rules.
• Collaborate with other housing authorities to assist families moving between jurisdictions.
• Educate participants about reporting income and documentation requirements.
• Ensure timely, accurate payments to landlords.
• Maintain recordkeeping and file completeness for audits.
• Review rent increase requests under HUD regulations and agency policy.
• Evaluate rent reasonableness using approved comparables and market analysis tools.
• Explain complex technical details concisely.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years college-level coursework in social services

Four years related work experience in social services or housing

One yearCertification Specialist I experience

Eighteen months experience in a similar role outside SHA

Tools

Electronic file database

Job description

We offer competitive salaries, great benefits, and work that matters to our community.

The Organization

The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) is a mission-driven leader in affordable housing, headquartered on Elliott Avenue West with sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound. With additional field offices across Seattle, we’re committed to expanding housing opportunities, strengthening communities, and supporting a workplace where people grow and thrive.

The position

We are looking for a Certification Specialist II to join our team! This role is perfect for someone who can provide comprehensive support to applicants and participants in navigating program rules as they obtain and retain housing resources.

The Location

101 Elliott Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

The ideal candidate will have

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years of college-level course work in social services, bookkeeping, business, or a related field
• May substitute two years of relevant work experience for the college-level course work
• Four years related work experience in a related field such as social services, data entry, government administration, or housing.
• OR one year of experience as a Certification Specialist I at SHA
• OR eighteen months experience in a position similar to a Certification Specialist I outside of SHA.

What will you do

• Administer, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures needed for eligibility and continuing assistance
• Calculate various types of incomes from unearned and earned income sources, assets and allowable deductions
• Meet high customer service standards, including completion of annual reviews within 45 days, prompt return of phone calls and meeting with walk-in clients
• Maintain various spreadsheets and import required documents daily into electronic file database
• Partner with all interested parties, including family members, landlords, caseworkers, and SHA staff to ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of responses during the housing program process
• Evaluate program eligibility and guide applicants through the voucher application process
• Issue vouchers to eligible program applicants and transfers. Conduct voucher issuance briefings and counsel about subsidy calculations and unit affordability
• Assist participants in navigating the leasing and move-in process according to program rules
• Partner with other housing authorities to assist families when moving between jurisdictions
• Educate participants about reporting and documentation requirements for income
• Ensure accurate payment is made to landlords in a timely manner
• Maintain recordkeeping and file completeness and accuracy for all processes to meet program and audit standards
• Review and process contract rent increase requests in accordance with Housing and Urban Development regulations and agency policy
• Evaluate rent reasonableness using approved comparables and market analysis tools
• Demonstrate concise presentation abilities to explain complex technical details

For additional information on the job, please see the full job description.

Why Should You Apply?

• Our Culture: SHA offers a supportive, energetic workplace where collaboration and growth thrive. Our talented team has helped make us a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing and community development.
• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Benefits
  1. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  2. Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
  3. Generous paid leave and holidays
• Work-Life Balance
  1. Reasonable hours
  2. Opportunity for part-time remote work (dependent on the position)
• Professional Development
  1. On-the-job training and growth opportunities

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Our Commitment to Equity

SHA values your unique background and perspective - we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every listed qualification. Learn more in our diversity and application equity statement.