Housing Specialist I

Housing Opportunities Commission; Derwood (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) seeks a Housing Specialist I to provide customer service and determine eligibility for subsidized housing programs. You will recertify applicants and families, interpret regulations, and coordinate with landlords and social service agencies.

Responsibilities include interviews, income updates, and reporting to support housing programs. Travel between offices is required, with the Silver Spring, MD location serving as the main hub.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in affordable housing or customer service.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Administration, Public Administration or related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Must have passed or will pass certification for the Housing Choice Voucher Program within six months of hiring.

Responsibilities

• Interview, certify and recertify families
• Negotiate rent amounts with landlords
• Provide customer service to internal and external customers
• Market the housing choice voucher program
• Respond to inquiries from applicants and tenants
• Coordinate applicants move-ins and resident transfer with appropriate staff
• Orient applicants and tenants to HOC rules and community regulations
• Prepare reports as required by the supervisor
• Prepare reports in accordance with mandated deadlines
• Monitor clients for compliance
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

Interviewing

Counseling

Customer service

Communication

Math skills

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology

Bachelor’s Degree in Administration

Public Administration or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) was established in 1974 to better respond to the County’s need for affordable housing. HOC is authorized to acquire, own, lease, and operate housing; to provide for the construction or renovation of housing; obtain financial assistance from any public or private source to assist its housing activities; and arrange for social services, resident services, and daycare.

Job Description

This position of Housing Specialist I is responsible for providing customer service; determining eligibility for HOC subsidized housing programs and annual recertification of applicants and families. The work requires the exercise of independent judgment to interpret and evaluate data or information, and weighing alternatives to determine eligibility of applicants for housing. The employee is given overall program objectives and priorities and is expected to carry out daily activities, such as recertifying and updating family income. The work consists of several related steps and is planned and carried out independently with the employee selecting the appropriate methods to accomplish the work.

An employee in this class requires knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, and the rules and regulations of subsidized housing program guidelines. The employee applies the appropriate guideline reference to specific cases. Contacts are employees within and outside the organization, which includes individuals such as landlords, property owners, and social service agencies. The employee uses highly developed communication skills in presenting ideas and technical information.

Assistance with housing needs is provided to clients on an ongoing basis and is normally short-term in nature, with appropriate referrals made to counselors or social service agencies. The work environment is the normal office setting and involves periods of sitting while using hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard while performing assigned tasks. The employee's work has a direct bearing on the effectiveness of the housing program and the quality of services provided to clients.

Incumbent must have transportation as this position may require travel between multiple offices. The main location for this position is Silver Spring, MD.

Examples Of Duties

• Interview, certify and recertify families
• Negotiate rent amounts with landlords
• Provide customer service to internal and external customers
• Market the housing choice voucher program
• Respond to inquiries from applicants and tenants
• Coordinate applicants move-ins and resident transfer with appropriate staff
• Orient applicants and tenants to HOC rules and community regulations
• Prepare reports as required by the supervisor
• Prepare reports in accordance with mandated deadlines
• Monitor clients for compliance
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least one (1) year of experience in affordable housing or customer service

Education

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Administration, Public Administration or related field
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. Low income residents in Montgomery County with the above qualifications are encouraged to apply

Certification

• Individuals must have passed or will pass certification for the Housing Choice Voucher Program within six (6) months of hiring

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of or the ability to acquire knowledge of the Housing Choice voucher, project-based voucher and statewide voucher program regulations and state, federal, and local landlord-tenant laws
• Knowledge of or the ability to acquire knowledge of, subsidized housing program guidelines and federal, state and local landlord-tenant laws are necessary
• Interviewing and counseling skills
• Ability to use computer software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Ability to communicate well with a variety of audiences and strong customer service skills required
• Good math skills
• Previous marketing, and training experience helpful
• Foreign language ability is desirable
• Grade 17 Min: $54,953/ Mid: $71,794/ Max: $88,635 | | Salary determined by departmental budget- Offer commensurate with experience

HOC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. HOC promotes a drug-free workplace.

HOC conducts criminal background checks, employment reference checks, and where applicable, reviews driving records in determining suitability for employment. Selected applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Employment is contingent upon drug and alcohol test results.