Housing Services Specialist

Los Angeles County Development Authority; Alhambra (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Services Specialist, in the Housing Assistance Division, handles the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the Housing Choice Voucher program and related housing programs. The role requires strong customer service, time management, and the ability to work under supervision as needed.

Entry level with opportunities to learn routine eligibility tasks and progress to more complex assignments within the division.

Qualifications

• Two years of responsible experience providing clerical or administrative support to housing, social, or public service programs.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Desirable qualifications include experience with Housing Choice Voucher programs and YARDI software.

Responsibilities

• Receives and reviews applications for Section 8 and vouchers; checks completeness and acts accordingly.
• Determines initial and continuing eligibility for voucher programs.
• Coordinates and conducts applicant/resident interviews; schedules interviews and screens applicants.
• Performs interim and annual reviews of eligibility and recalculates assistance payments.
• Maintains accurate records and documents case management activities.
• Provides courteous, professional communication to participants, landlords, and the public.

Skills

Customer service

Record-keeping

Communication

Interviews

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

YARDI Software

Job description

HOUSING SERVICES SPECIALIST
HOUSING ASSISTANCE DIVISION
$28.20-$39.48/Hourly (DOQ)
REGULAR POSITIONS
POSITIONS LOCATED IN ALHAMBRA

Initial salary placement is generally made between the start and mid-point of the posted range. New hires are not eligible to start at the maximum of the posted range.

THIS RECRUITMENT WILL CLOSE WHEN 200 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED

LACDA Overview

The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is a dynamic, innovative agency created in 1982 by the Board of Supervisors. The agency is part of the County family, but an independent agency and not a County Department. LACDA’s core pillars include housing and community development programs that benefit the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas and various incorporated cities that participate in LACDA programs. Funded primarily with Federal grants, the LACDA is an industry leader in sponsoring new solutions to housing and forming partnerships with private and public agencies. To find out more about LACDA, please visit our website at www.lacda.org.

Division Overview

The Housing Assistance Division (HAD) of the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is responsible for the administration of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The LACDA administers over 26,000 Housing Choice Vouchers for the County of Los Angeles, as well as other targeted and grant-funded rental subsidy programs. The Housing Assistance Division partners with 10,000 landlords, helping eligible families afford safe, decent, high-quality rental housing.

Position Overview

The Housing Services Specialist, within the Housing Assistance Division, includes Administrative Services, Contract Maintenance, Lease Up, and Special Programs Units. The position performs technical work involving the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the Housing Choice Voucher program and other specialized housing programs. The ideal candidate demonstrates excellent customer service, initiative, resourcefulness, and efficient time management skills. The candidate must be able to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

This is the entry-level classification in the Housing Services Specialist series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine program eligibility. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently.

Candidates achieving a passing score in this recruitment will be placed in a candidate pool for six (6) months. The candidate pool will be used to fill vacancies as they arise within the Housing Assistance Division.

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives and reviews applications for Section 8 Project Based Voucher and Housing Choice Voucher Programs and other Authority owned/management property programs from various sources including County waitlists and referring agencies; reviews applications for completeness and takes appropriate action according to application source and completeness.
• Determines initial and continuing eligibility for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and other Authority owned/managed property programs in compliance with applicable federal, state, and Authority regulations, policies, and procedures; maintains appropriate caseload.
• Coordinates and conducts interview processes with applicants and residents; accepts applications, schedules interviews, and screens applicants and residents; ensures applications, recertifications, and supporting documentation are accurate and up to date.
• Performs interim and annual review of resident’s eligibility to remain on an appropriate Authority program; reviews changes in income and household composition; sends out appropriate requests for information; reviews third-party verifications; recalculates housing assistance payments and/or household rental obligation and prepares amendment to current lease as required; notifies residents of changes.
• Performs background checks of applicants involving credit and criminal history, medical records, and obtains other pertinent information.
• Schedules and conducts briefings to explain Section 8, public, and affordable housing programs, applicant and resident rights and responsibilities, program requirements and guidelines, the Authority’s role, and next steps in locating and securing housing.
• Determines applicant and resident rental assistance payment and rental obligation based on applicant/resident financial information, household size, and applicable program guidelines; explains method of determination pursuant to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations.
• Organizes and prioritizes caseload to ensure that necessary actions are taken and processed within established timeframes.
• Receives and processes Notices to Vacate from tenants and eviction notices from owners; places payments on hold; notifies tenants and owners of intended actions.
• Initiates and conducts counseling for those residents in violation of lease and/or voucher regulations; assists residents with required documentation.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records and files; updates information, research discrepancies, and performs data entry; maintains documentation for case management activities.
• Determines need for additional services and makes referrals to outside agencies for other services as needed.
• Provides courteous, respectful, honest, timely and professional communication and information to all Authority staff, program participants, visitors, landlords, and the general public; utilizes effective de-escalation techniques as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of housing assistance programs.
• Eligibility, recertification, and case management practices and procedures as they pertain to assigned housing assistance programs and services.
• Basic interviewing techniques and principles.
• Record-keeping principles and procedures.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as industry standards and best practices relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Authority staff
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform specialized and technical eligibility and case management work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of applicants, current and former residents, and other matters affecting prospective and/or current applicants and tenants.
• Maintain accurate files and records.
• Make accurate arithmetic computations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of responsible experience providing clerical or administrative support to a housing, social or public service program.

Desirable Qualifications

Desirable qualifications are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered desirable qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who possess these qualifications will not automatically be selected.

• Experience working with a diverse population.
• Experience working with the homeless population.
• Experience determining program eligibility requirements.
• Case management experience.
• Experience in YARDI Software.
• Knowledge of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
• Bilingual

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, Public Housing Rent Calculation and Housing Choice Voucher Specialist certificates issued by Nan McKay & Associates.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file