Housing Specialist I

City-of-Oceanside; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oceanside is seeking a Housing Specialist I to join the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This role serves as a case manager for a high-volume caseload, conducting interviews, verifying income, preparing files, and assisting clients in locating suitable housing.

The ideal candidate has at least two years of experience in housing or related fields, strong organizational and communication skills, and a valid California driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in housing assistance programs or related fields.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in housing programs or a related field.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned caseload including monitoring 30 day notices, move appointments, rent calculations, new contracts and leases, and file preparation for Housing Choice Voucher eligibility.
• Process Housing Choice Voucher applications and conduct applicant interviews to determine eligibility; verify income and family composition.
• Perform inspections, prepare forms, maintain files, assist clients with housing searches, and negotiate rents with landlords.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Negotiation

Customer service

Record keeping

Data analysis

Education

Twelfth grade equivalent with housing training

Job description

Housing Specialist I

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for current and future vacancies for the position of Housing Specialist I. There is currently one vacancy in the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department's Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The Neighborhood Services Department's mission is to promote healthy neighborhoods by providing services to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Oceanside and serve as a change agent in building strong families and safe communities through people, housing, and programs.

The Neighborhood Services Department offers a wide variety of programs and services that strengthen community image, neighborhood safety and security, support economic development and environmental resources, promote health, wellness and recreation, foster human development and increase cultural unity and community problem solving for all ages.

The ideal candidate can efficiently and accurately manage a high-volume caseload while adapting to frequent organizational changes. They bring strong organizational skills, provide empathetic, hands-on support to clients, make timely and appropriate referrals, meet federal, state and local deadlines and support their clients.

If you are looking for an opportunity to serve your community and have a passion for making a difference in other people's lives, this is the opportunity for you.

Serves as case manager for assigned caseload including monitoring 30 day notices, conducting move appointments, monitoring and calculating rent increases given by owner, completing new contracts and leases, and calculating files to determine tenant and housing portion of rent; processes applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program; conducts interviews with applicants to obtain information to determine eligibility; verifies income, family composition, and related information obtained in interviews through third party verification or other means; performs and verifies computations; sets up and maintains files and/or filing systems for Housing Choice Voucher Program eligibility; compiles and updates eligible lists for assistance; issues vouchers and briefs applicants on programs; assists clients in locating suitable housing; negotiates contract rents with owners and verifies rent reasonableness; mediates a variety of tenant/landlord disputes; conducts a variety of inspections including new move-ins, annual recertifications, Housing Quality Standards, and damage inspections; generates and compiles monthly list of annual recertifications; schedules inspections and monitors all third party verifications; inputs information into computer for all family income composition changes, annual recertifications, new lease-ups, and current tenant moves; participates in conducting fraud investigations; participates in the process to terminate assistance; prepares informal hearings; completes a variety of forms; conducts surveys; prepares statistical reports; performs outreach activities to increase landlord participation in housing programs; performs tenant/landlord counseling; provides referrals to clients and the public to appropriate community resources; disseminates information on various housing programs; maintains knowledge of programs and related regulations and procedures.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of housing programs.
• Interviewing and investigation techniques.
• Methods and techniques to verify information received from applicants.
• Methods and techniques of conflict resolution and mediation procedures.
• Community resources available to low income clients.
• Housing Quality Inspection techniques.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations governing housing programs.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Mathematical principles.

Ability to:

• Interpret and explain program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to applicants.
• Serve as a liaison in tenant/landlord relations.
• Negotiate contracts, leases, and rental agreements with landlords.
• Conduct health and safety inspections.
• Analyze and draw logical conclusions from data.
• Maintain and update accurate records and files.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Represent the department at outreach activities.

Experience

Two years of experience in housing assistance programs, social services programs for low income households, tenant/landlord relations, property management, real estate accounting, loan application review, or a related field.

Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in housing programs or a related field.

License/Certificate

Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Environmental Conditions

Office/field environments; travel from site to site; exposure to computer screens and inclement weather conditions; may work or inspect in confined spaces; extensive public contact; occasional exposure to contagious diseases and unsanitary conditions when conducting inspection of dwellings.

Physical Conditions

Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling or crawling for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret information.

Selection Process

All properly completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application material will result in disqualification from the selection process. The selection process may include any combination of a written exam, oral interview, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION PACKAGE.