Eligibility Specialist (Part Time)

Waterloo; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterloo Housing Authority is seeking an Administrative Clerk to determine eligibility for housing assistance and Housing Choice Voucher programs. The role includes conducting waitlist interviews, calculating rent and income, and maintaining paperless files in a compliance-driven environment.

Hours are 20–25 per week with a pay rate of $17.00–$22.50 per hour. Strong data entry and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/equivalent and minimum two (2) years experience working in public sector, social services agencies, or private property management firm with emphasis on interviewing techniques and case management; prefer some social services experience and education beyond high school in accounting, human services, or business-related field.
• Experience working with multiple computer programs; i.e., Microsoft Suite, DocuSign, Adobe.

Responsibilities

• Perform administrative duties to determine eligibility for housing assistance and HCV programs in accordance with WHA policies and HUD regulations.
• Conduct waitlist eligibility interviews and send notices, reports, and correspondence.
• Calculate income, determine eligibility, and calculate rent.
• Process public housing applications and maintain files on applicants; respond to inquiries by telephone and mail.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure file accuracy and organization.

Skills

Income calculations

Interviewing skills

Verifying information

Communication skills

Record keeping

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Access

DocuSign

Adobe

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Under direct supervision of the Director/Compliance Supervisor, this position performs administrative duties to determine eligibility for housing assistance and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs in accordance with established Waterloo Housing Authority (WHA) policies and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. The incumbent is responsible for conducting waitlist eligibility interviews and sending out notices, reports, and correspondence as required. Including the ability to perform subsequent actions such as calculation of rent and average wages. The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work performed.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Illustrative only

• Ability to obtain income information to perform rent calculations.
• Assist with the formulation and implementation of moving the office to paperless files and maintain a paperless file integrity system.
• Conduct program eligibility interviews for waitlist persons tentatively eligible for admission to public housing and/or Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs.
• Explain WHA program requirements and answer questions about policies, rules, regulations, and procedures in accordance with HUD and Housing Authority standards.
• Assess HCV clients’ preliminary applications and files; research information that verifies family composition, income, credit history, criminal history, and other factors affecting eligibility;
• Enter required applicant information on intake forms; calculate income, determine eligibility, and calculate rent in an accurate and timely manner.
• Process public housing applications; maintain files on applicants; reply to inquiries by telephone and mail regarding status of applications; update wait-lists.
• Create and send out notices, reports, and correspondence as instructed by the Housing Authority Director.
• Establish and maintain completed files to increase assigned cases to housing coordinators and meet production guidelines.
• Withdraw incomplete files and send out withdrawal notices in accordance with Housing Authority policy and procedures.
• Update and verify applicant data in computer system/client management system monthly;
• Organize and distribute caseload files and records evenly; maintain file accuracy and confidentiality by adhering to policies and procedures.
• Monitor and correct application and program documentation files; contact applicants to discuss and clarify informational discrepancies and assure effective communication of issues in accordance with Housing Authority policy and procedures.
• Process background checks, compile legal documents, confirm wait-list order to update client’s status; access and locate information as required to ensure accurate processing of applications.
• Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, or other applicable software, and prepares letters, reports, and documents related to Waterloo Housing Authority.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to perform math accurately to compute rent and income calculations.
• Ability to conduct probing interviews to gain necessary client intake data to complete applications.
• Ability to verify clients’ information and assist them with accessing available services.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with clients, co-workers, supervisors and directors.
• Knowledge of preparing reports, maintaining files and typing a variety of material.
• Thorough knowledge of secretarial functions, terminology, office procedures and equipment, especially computers.
• Ability to answer questions and provide information to the public and co-workers in-person, by email and over the telephone in a clear, concise and easily understandable manner;
• Ability to de-escalate complaints from program participants and landlords tactfully and respectfully.
• Ability to express ideas both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client files and other sensitive information.
• Ability to work and assist clients from a broad variety of social, economic, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

• High school diploma/equivalent and minimum two (2) years experience working in public sector, social services agencies, or private property management firm with emphasis on interviewing techniques and case management; prefer some social services experience and education beyond high school in accounting, human services, or business-related field.
• Experience working with multiple computer programs; i.e., Microsoft Suite, DocuSign, Adobe.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

The following physical abilities are required with or without accommodation.

• Sufficient speech and hearing that permits the employee to communicate effectively with coworkers and the public.
• Sufficient vision and manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate a personal computer and other standard office equipment, handle files, perform customer service duties and other clerical responsibilities.
• Sufficient personal mobility that permits the employee to move from one work area or City building to another.
• Ability to perform work that is 90% seated and the remaining 10% that is a combination of walking and/or standing.

WORK SCHEDULE

Generally, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. The City of Waterloo reserves the right to change these hours. May be assigned to work up to 29 hours a week, as needed, or outside of the regular schedule temporarily.

MISCELLANEOUS

• The City of Waterloo reserves the right to conduct a background investigation, including employment and criminal history checks on any applicant being considered for this position.
• Required to submit to and successfully pass one or more interviews.

DEPARTMENT

WATERLOO HOUSING AUTHORITY

SALARY

$17.00 TO $22.50 / 20-25 hours per week

FLSA

NON-EXEMPT

CIVIL SERVICE

NOT INCLUDED

BARGAINING UNIT

NON-BARGAINING

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Under direct supervision of the Director/Compliance Supervisor, this position performs administrative duties to determine eligibility for housing assistance and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs in accordance with established Waterloo Housing Authority (WHA) policies and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. The incumbent is responsible for conducting waitlist eligibility interviews and sending out notices, reports, and correspondence as required. Including the ability to perform subsequent actions such as calculation of rent and average wages. The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work performed.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Illustrative only

• Ability to obtain income information to perform rent calculations.
• Assist with the formulation and implementation of moving the office to paperless files and maintain a paperless file integrity system.
• Conduct program eligibility interviews for waitlist persons tentatively eligible for admission to public housing and/or Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs.
• Explain WHA program requirements and answer questions about policies, rules, regulations, and procedures in accordance with HUD and Housing Authority standards.
• Assess HCV clients’ preliminary applications and files; research information that verifies family composition, income, credit history, criminal history, and other factors affecting eligibility;
• Enter required applicant information on intake forms; calculate income, determine eligibility, and calculate rent in an accurate and timely manner.
• Process public housing applications; maintain files on applicants; reply to inquiries by telephone and mail regarding status of applications; update wait-lists.
• Create and send out notices, reports, and correspondence as instructed by the Housing Authority Director.
• Establish and maintain completed files to increase assigned cases to housing coordinators and meet production guidelines.
• Withdraw incomplete files and send out withdrawal notices in accordance with Housing Authority policy and procedures.
• Update and verify applicant data in computer system/client management system monthly;
• Organize and distribute caseload files and records evenly; maintain file accuracy and confidentiality by adhering to policies and procedures.
• Monitor and correct application and program documentation files; contact applicants to discuss and clarify informational discrepancies and assure effective communication of issues in accordance with Housing Authority policy and procedures.
• Process background checks, compile legal documents, confirm wait-list order to update client’s status; access and locate information as required to ensure accurate processing of applications.
• Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, or other applicable software, and prepares letters, reports, and documents related to Waterloo Housing Authority.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to perform math accurately to compute rent and income calculations.
• Ability to conduct probing interviews to gain necessary client intake data to complete applications.
• Ability to verify clients’ information and assist them with accessing available services.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with clients, co-workers, supervisors and directors.
• Knowledge of preparing reports, maintaining files and typing a variety of material.
• Thorough knowledge of secretarial functions, terminology, office procedures and equipment, especially computers.
• Ability to answer questions and provide information to the public and co-workers in-person, by email and over the telephone in a clear, concise and easily understandable manner;
• Ability to de-escalate complaints from program participants and landlords tactfully and respectfully.
• Ability to express ideas both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client files and other sensitive information.
• Ability to work and assist clients from a broad variety of social, economic, racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

• High school diploma/equivalent and minimum two (2) years experience working in public sector, social services agencies, or private property management firm with emphasis on interviewing techniques and case management; prefer some social services experience and education beyond high school in accounting, human services, or business-related field.
• Experience working with multiple computer programs; i.e., Microsoft Suite, DocuSign, Adobe.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

The following physical abilities are required with or without accommodation.

• Sufficient speech and hearing that permits the employee to communicate effectively with coworkers and the public.
• Sufficient vision and manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate a personal computer and other standard office equipment, handle files, perform customer service duties and other clerical responsibilities.
• Sufficient personal mobility that permits the employee to move from one work area or City building to another.
• Ability to perform work that is 90% seated and the remaining 10% that is a combination of walking and/or standing.

WORK SCHEDULE

Generally, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. The City of Waterloo reserves the right to change these hours. May be assigned to work up to 29 hours a week, as needed, or outside of the regular schedule temporarily.

MISCELLANEOUS

• The City of Waterloo reserves the right to conduct a background investigation, including employment and criminal history checks on any applicant being considered for this position.
• Required to submit to and successfully pass one or more interviews.

We will accept applications until Monday October 26 th , 2026 until 5 pm.

A.A./E.E.O.

Minority, female & disabled individuals are encouraged to apply.