HCV Specialist

Housing Authority of Champaign County; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 39,500 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

The Housing Authority of Champaign County is seeking a skilled professional to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program, managing 300-400 clients. Responsibilities include ensuring eligibility, providing direct customer service to clients and landlords, and maintaining detailed records. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a strong background in case management or property management, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

This full-time position offers a salary range of $39,500 to $41,000, along with comprehensive benefits including health insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Strong skills in data interpretation and analysis.
• Effective problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and client caseloads.

Responsibilities

• Administer Housing Choice Voucher program for clients.
• Provide customer service to clients and landlords.
• Conduct re-certifications and eligibility checks.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Organization skills

Time-management skills

Interpersonal communication

Data entry and computer skills

Basic to advanced math skills

Education

Associate's degree in business or related field

3+ years of related work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

HACC computer system

Job description

Responsibilities

• Administers all aspects of HACC Housing Choice Voucher program for 300-400 clients.
• Monitors and manages caseload ensuring eligibility and compliance.
• Conducts initial and periodic re‑certifications/re‑exams to guarantee eligibility and subsidy calculations.
• Provides direct customer service to clients and landlords, including inquiries and general public requests.
• Documents tasks in client and landlord files using HACC computer system and maintains records per document management requirements.
• Completes timely follow‑ups, opens and responds to mail, telephone, electronic and phone call inquiries within established timelines; uses agency‑approved forms.
• Actively participates in team meetings, process improvements, special projects and supports all team members.
• Implements all new requirements in accordance with established guidelines.
• Performs other related tasks as required.

Typical Responsibilities

• Improve individual employee productivity and quality of work.
• Increase personal, staff, and owner satisfaction while maintaining production.
• Interpret regulations accurately.
• Maintain control of systems to ensure the accuracy of programs and timelines of program delivery.
• Monitor program abuse by clients.
• Approve and document programmatic interpretations in unusual or complex situations in a manner justifiable to program monitors and auditors.
• Deal successfully with irate individuals and groups.
• Prioritize responsibilities and projects.

Unusual Responsibilities

• Resolve conflicts between program participants and owners after all other avenues have been exhausted.
• Implement HUD‑required changes to programs within generally tight timelines.
• Resolve cases of suspected program abuse by clients, owners, and other staff.
• Modify procedures to meet changing needs.
• Handle difficult employees, owners, and program participants.

Qualifications

• Strong reading, analyzing, interpreting data, documents, information and publications.
• Ability to evaluate information and situations to make sound independent decisions.
• Problem‑solving skills, identify critical issues and execute plans to resolve disputes.
• Critical thinking for solving problems.
• Organization and records‑management skills.
• Time‑management skills to meet schedules, workloads, and deadlines.
• Manage client cases: track activities, update records, monitor outcomes, follow record‑keeping requirements, maintain confidentiality.
• Handle multiple work streams and priorities simultaneously while maintaining quality, customer service standards, and accuracy.
• Basic to advanced math skills for financial forms, reports, and statistical data.
• Highly proficient data entry and computer skills; use databases, create spreadsheets, prepare presentations.
• Proficient Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Excellent listening, presentation, and public speaking skills for diverse audiences.
• Strong writing skills to compose documents, reports, and correspondence.
• Knowledge of Housing Authority of Champaign County, HCV program, and/or HUD Section 8 preferred.
• Develop rapport with landlords, owners, property managers.
• Conduct landlord briefings on contract obligations.
• Conduct voucher briefing sessions.
• Establish contact with other human‑services agencies; inform and refer clients.
• Research, develop, maintain and revise department forms, procedures and control systems.
• Study rent conditions and market availability; evaluate and complete studies.
• Authorize HAP payments.
• Detailed working knowledge of HCV program requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of department practices, procedures and regulations.
• Express ideas orally and in writing.
• Establish effective relationships with employees, tenants, owners.
• Organize and expedite workload.
• Initiate independent work projects.
• Know local human‑services resources.
• Work with tenant rights, leasing documents.
• Work with disadvantaged populations.
• Interpret and apply regulations accurately.
• Respect privacy and confidentiality of client interviews, information and files.
• Work with staff in other city and agency departments.
• Disseminate, discuss, discern information.
• Sell program ideas and concepts.
• Interview and brief clients.
• Effective communication and negotiations.
• Problem‑solving.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree or better in business, public administration, urban studies, human or social services, or related field; or 3+ years progressively responsible related work experience, with at least 2 years in case management or property management capacity.
• Minimum of three years of proven experience managing a caseload of 300‑400 clients, including full spectrum of public assistance program activities.
• Functional proficiency with technology used on‑the‑job (Microsoft Office Suite, proprietary software).
• Must obtain Housing Choice Voucher Specialist certification within one year of hire.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Works in an office environment.
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods.
• Must work in deadline‑focused, fast‑paced environment.
• Occasional travel by automobile within county for home visits.
• Occasional overtime to meet workload demands.
• Valid Illinois driver's license and insurable under agency's commercial insurance policy.
• Full‑time use of personal vehicle.

Pay & Benefits

• Pay: $39,500‑$41,000.
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching.
• Employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending account.
• Health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Paid time off.
• Vision insurance.

Schedule

• 8‑hour shift.
• Monday‑Friday.

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply.