Housing Services Specialist II

Southern Arkansas University; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government is seeking a qualified Program Specialist to support tenant-based and project-based housing programs. Responsibilities include interviewing applicants, conducting orientation, guiding portability moves, and coordinating hearings to advance fair housing opportunities.

The role also provides client referrals, data entry, and reporting for HUD submissions. The position requires a four-year degree in sociology, psychology, public or business administration, counseling or a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, public or business administration, counseling or a related field plus two years of experience in human services, housing programs, real estate, relocation, or property management.
• Experience interpreting and administering complex regulations; strong mathematical computation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Interviews applicants/participants to determine eligibility.
• Conducts housing orientation sessions and counsels on federal regulations and related issues.
• Coordinates moves and portability requests within the local jurisdiction.
• Participates in hearings and advances fair housing opportunities, including reasonable accommodations.
• Provides customer service to families, landlords, and agencies; makes referrals and answers housing-related questions.
• Maintains networks with county partners and performs data entry and reporting; ensures data accuracy for HUD submissions.
• Manages caseload timelines and documentation for audits; issues notifications per laws.

Skills

Customer service

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory interpretation

Mathematical computations

Oral and written communication

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, public/business administration, counseling or related field

Job description

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Make a difference – join our team to empower communities and build futures!

The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development works in partnership with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to serve the people of Fairfax County by creating housing opportunities to promote inclusive and thriving communities. Help make our vision of a community everyone can afford to call home a reality!

This position performs initial and ongoing occupancy functions for applicants and participants of DHCD’s federal, state, and local tenant-based and project-based voucher programs. Depending on assignment, these may include Rental Assistance Demonstration Project-Based Section 8 Program (RAD PBV), Project-Based Housing Choice Voucher Program (PBV), Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), Family Unification Program (FUP), Mainstream Voucher Program (MVP), Non-Elderly Disabled Voucher (NED), Veteran's Assistance For Supportive Housing (VASH), Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Emergency Housing Voucher Program (EHV) and State Funded Rental Assistance programs.

The position:

• Interviews program applicants and/or participants to determine eligibility.
• Conducts comprehensive housing orientation sessions to counsel and provide advice to clients on federal regulations and other legal issues.
• Coordinates moves within local jurisdiction and portability requests.
• Initiates and participates in formal and informal hearings, affirmatively furthering fair housing opportunities for clients which includes, but is not limited to, the reasonable accommodation requests.
• Provides customer service support and assistance to families, landlords, and other public and private agencies in the resolution of housing-related issues.
• Makes appropriate referrals and answers general questions related to housing programs and affordable housing opportunities.
• Collaborates to improve or strengthen networks within the county. Promotes family self-sufficiency and stability. Performs data entry, runs reports, ensures accuracy of data, and makes necessary corrections in the database before submitting to HUD.
• Manages timelines and accuracy of caseload for audit purposes, and issues notifications according to state and local laws.

Read about Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development.

Review the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority reports.

We are committed to the One Fairfax Policy by intentionally considering equity when making policies, delivering programs and services, considering diverse ideas and perspectives, and communicating with transparency in the decision-making processes. Learn more about the One Fairfax policy.

Fairfax County Government offers a thriving career and workplace culture. Watch these videos to learn more:

• Watch a video on Working for Fairfax County Government
• Watch a video on benefits offered by Fairfax County Government

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, public or business administration, counseling or a related field , plus two years of experience in the field of human services, Choice Voucher, real estate, homeownership, relocation, or property management.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in the health and human services field and/or the delivery of services and implementation of housing programs for residents of low and moderate-income housing developments, including RAD PBV, PBV, HCV, and/or Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Experienced in customer service and working directly with stakeholders.
• Experience interpreting and administering complex regulations and performing mathematical computations.
• Proven record of achieving excellence in providing services to low- and moderate-income families.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adhere to strict standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to read information on a computer monitor; effectively communicate; operate keyboard-driven equipment and computer.
• Work is generally sedentary in nature; however, incumbent is required to frequently move about to perform office work such as accessing files, attending meetings, making presentations, operating general office equipment, and performing other essential job duties; may be required to move items up to approximately 15 pounds in weight.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail] . EEO/AA/TTY.