Housing Specialist

Santa Fe County; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe County is seeking a Housing Specialist Senior to administer and coordinate Public Housing Programs in compliance with HUD rules. You will interview applicants, determine eligibility, prepare lease documents, and ensure resident compliance while delivering excellent customer service.

The role includes preparing training plans for FSS/ROSS participants, coordinating supportive services, reporting on health determinants, and maintaining records for rent calculations, renewals, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years of experience in a professional office environment providing administrative support.
• Must obtain HUD Housing Program Certificates within two years of employment.

Responsibilities

• Interview potential residents and applicants to determine eligibility for housing program eligibility.
• Perform eligibility calculations and determinations, complete accurate lease agreements and amendments and collect payments and fees.
• Ensure resident compliance with regulatory and policy requirements for housing programs.
• Perform unit inspections and facilitate unit transfers.
• Generate monthly program reporting.
• Provide excellent customer service in person, on the phone, or in writing.

Skills

Office software

Computers / IT skills

Customer service

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Data entry / record-keeping

Windows environment

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

HUD Housing Program Certificates

Tools

Inventory management system

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database software

Job description

Performs casework and resident monitoring functions for Housing Authority Programs. Administers and coordinates Public Housing Programs in compliance with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development rules and regulations.

• Interview potential residents and applicants to determine eligibility for housing program eligibility.
• Performs eligibility calculations and determinations, completes accurate lease agreements and amendments and collects payments and fees.
• Ensure resident compliance with all regulatory and policy requirements associated with applicable housing programs.
• Performs unit inspections and facilitates unit transfers
• Performs casework and resident monitoring duties associated with housing program in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Generates monthly program reporting.
• Provides excellent customer service by responding promptly to requests in person, on the phone, or in writing; providing clear and concise responses and direction; and demonstrating professionalism and courtesy in interactions with internal staff and external customers and agencies.
• Create newsletters, organize community events and trainings, organize tenant council meetings, and oversee community service requirements.

Housing Specialist Senior – Additional Essential Job Functions:

• Prepares an individual Training and Services Plan for each FSS/ROSS participant. Provides educational and employment information to FSS/ROSS participants to help them achieve their self-sufficiency goals. Provides career counseling. Coordinates supportive services, health services, legal services, educational opportunities with local, state and federal agencies and NGO organizations.
• Develops a primary navigation plan with residents/families that sets appropriate goals, which should address safe and secure housing, access to food, utilities, transportation, health system enrollment, education, literacy, preventive care, medical treatment, chronic disease management, and effective social and community referrals.
• Provide reporting information to the Santa Fe County Community Support Division with quarterly data on social determinants of health, demographics, emergency room utilization and jail utilization of clients served.
• Maintains a control system to ensure all required actions, such as lease renewals and grievance hearings, are completed in a timely manner, and all appropriate records are retained at the Housing Authority.
• Assumes full responsibility of rent calculations, adjustments and certifications or re-certifications; conducts utility reimbursement payments; processes documentation to ensure payments are submitted in accordance with internal policies.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Knowledge of modern office practices and equipment, including computers; of computer software, including work processing and spreadsheets; of accounting principles; and of preparation of records, reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge of English usage and, preferably, bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Ability to use a variety software programs, on an inventory management system.
• Skilled in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, database and other software programs in a Windows environment.
• Skilled in providing effective customer service.

Housing Specialist Senior – Additional Knowledge / Skills:

• Knowledge of government administration, the role and functions of the Housing Authority in the community, and community resources.
• Knowledge of FSS/ROSS grant requirements, coordinate efforts to submit grant reapplication and collect program data for grant reporting.
• Ability to effectively coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies as well as private sector businesses; to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; to maintain confidentiality; to exercise judgment; to follow verbal and written instructions; to compile, analyze and interpret data; to present information in a clear and concise manner; and to deal effectively with associates, clients and the public.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks and meet deadlines; to complete work accurately with attention to detail; to deal effectively and tactfully with the public; and to handle confidential information in a trustworthy manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Two (2) years of experience working in a professional office environment providing administrative support and customer service.
• Must obtain and maintained within two years of employment, all required HUD Housing Program Certificates.

Housing Specialist Senior – Additional Minimum Qualifications:

• Two additional (2) years of experience in housing program administration, social services or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a professional office setting with occasional outside field work. Work schedule may include evening and weekend hours. Occasional overnight travel may be required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands; reach with hands or arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; climb or balance; and talk or hear. Clarity of vision at short and long distances required. May be required to lift up to 50 pounds with assistance or equipment. May occasionally be exposed occasionally to hazardous materials; to potentially dangerous situations; to dust, fumes, airborne particles, or allergens; to excessive noise; to working near hazardous or moving equipment or machinery; and may work with hostile, violent, or offensive individuals. May use protective clothing, equipment, devices, or materials occasionally.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Drivers License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties.