Housing Specialist I/II
City of Vallejo
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Job summary
The City of Vallejo’s Housing Authority (HACV) seeks a Housing Specialist I/II to determine initial and continued eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher program, inspect properties, negotiate rents, and support landlord outreach. The role requires strong customer service, teamwork, and problem solving, with responsibilities spanning briefings, documentation, and HUD program compliance.
Ideal candidates will have related experience, ability to work independently, and contribute to positive
Qualifications
- Experience determining eligibility and inspecting housing units.
- Ability to counsel tenants and landlords and resolve conflicts.
- Familiarity with HUD programs, Section 8, and local policies.
Responsibilities
- Determine initial and continued eligibility; interview applicants; verify information.
- Inspect properties for Section 8 compliance and safety; advise owners on repairs.
- Negotiate rents; prepare Housing Assistance Payments contracts and amendments.
- Conduct participant briefings; maintain confidential files and correspondence.
Skills
Education
Job description
This position exists to provide timely and accurate assistance to the Housing Authority of the City of Vallejo (HACV) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program participants in a manner that provides excellent customer service and meets HUD regulations and HACV policies. The incumbent in this position performs initial and ongoing eligibility determinations; inspect units prior to occupancy by HCV participants and while participants are residing in the units; conducts landlord outreach; monitors and determines local rental housing rates and negotiate rental agreements; conducts investigations; conducts new participant briefings; prepares and maintains technical and confidential documents; represents the City and the VHA in a positive and professional manner; and completes other housing-related tasks. This position may also serve as the HCV Family Self‑Sufficiency Coordinator.
The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate a strong work ethic, communicate effectively, are customer service oriented, is able to work both independently and in a team environment, is a problem solver and critical thinker, respects and values others, and should understand the organization and operation of the City and outside agencies.
The Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department manages programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Division is home to the Vallejo Housing Authority (VHA) which administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, and its subprograms. The HCD Division also coordinates the application and implementation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
The HCD Division also provides staff support to the Housing and Community Development Commission.
The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148‑year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo’s delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer’s market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America’s only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.
Housing Specialist I: $28.96 - $35.21 Hourly $2,311.77 - $2,816.99 Biweekly $5,021.36 - $6,103.48 Monthly $60,406.74 - $73,425.25 Annually
Housing Specialist II: $32.01 - $38.91 Hourly $2,560.97 - $3,112.87 Biweekly $5,548.76 - $6,744.56 Monthly $66,585.17 - $80,934.67 Annually
Housing Specialist I
This is the entry level class in the Housing Specialist series. This class is a training class; employees may have only limited relevant work experience. This class is distinguished from the Housing Specialist II in that the latter is the journey level class, able to perform the more difficult and complex tasks. It is further differentiated from the Senior Housing Specialist in that the latter is the advanced journey level class, performing the most complex tasks.
The Housing Specialist I, II, Senior class series is flexibly staffed, meaning incumbents may be flexed up to the next level once they have demonstrated proficiency of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities of the lower class, and is dependent upon operational need of the division.
Housing Specialist II
This is the journey level class in the Housing Specialist series. Positions in this class are normally filled by advancement from the Housing Specialist I level once the required knowledge, skills, and abilities have been proficiently demonstrated and if operational need exists; or, when filled from the outside, by having prior experience equivalent to that of the Housing Specialist I. Assignments are performed within a framework of established procedures and employees are expected to perform the full range of duties with only occasional instruction or assistance, as new or unusual situations arise.
Employees within this class are distinguished from the Housing Specialist I in that the latter is the training level. It is further distinguished from the Senior Housing Specialist in that the latter is the advanced journey level class, performing the most complex and specialized tasks.
The Housing Specialist I, II, Senior class series is flexibly staffed, meaning incumbents may be flexed up to the next level once they have demonstrated proficiency of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities of the lower class, and is dependent upon operational need of the division.
Housing Specialist I
Receives immediate supervision from supervisory or management staff; may receive lead direction from a Senior Housing Specialist or Housing Specialist II.
Housing Specialist II
Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff; may receive lead direction from a Senior Housing Specialist. May provide lead direction to the Housing Specialist I.
Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following
- Determine initial eligibility and continued eligibility of program participants; interview housing applicants; investigate and verify applicant and participant information; contact applicants and participants to clarify informational discrepancies; manage applicant waiting lists.
- Inspect properties to determine compliance with the requirements of Section 8 rental assistance programs regarding housing quality and general conditions of safety and sanitation; advise property owners and tenants of maintenance needs; document repair requirements; conduct damage and move out inspections;
- counsel tenants, property owners and/or managers to avoid disputes; conduct follow up inspections of previously failed inspections upon completion of work and repairs.
- Perform regularly scheduled reexaminations of participants' financial situations to ensure continued eligibility; make appropriate rent adjustments.
- Counsel participants regarding portability, procedures for terminating the current rental agreements and other necessary requirements; research Section 8 availability in various areas; perform procedures for participants moving into the area from another Housing Authority jurisdiction.
- Interview and confer with realtors, property managers or owners, and others to negotiate total monthly rents; prepare and process Housing Assistance Payment Contracts, contract terminations, and amendments.
- Conduct individual and group briefing sessions and answer participants' questions.
- Prepare correspondence to various agencies, landlords, and businesses to verify applicant data.
- Perform technical clerical functions pertaining to occupancy eligibility; prepare briefing packets; investigate searches and locate sources of information; maintain landlord information data bases.
- Answer technical questions; prepare routine and confidential correspondence and reports.
- Operate and maintain special Housing and Urban Development (HUD) computer programs using word processing, spreadsheet and on-line computer programs.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities for all programs covered under the Housing & Community Development Division as required.
Knowledge of:
- Modern office practices, methods and procedures.
- Modern English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Standard office machines and equipment, including computer terminals, business software, and applicable electronic equipment, such as field entry devices and cellular phone.
- Record keeping principles and practice. Basic mathematical computations.
- Techniques for working with a variety of individuals from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds.
Ability to:
- Learn methods, trends, and techniques pertaining to the operation of a public housing system and housing inspections.
- Learn the operational procedures, policies, regulations, and legal mandates pertaining to public housing programs and enforced by the City and the Housing Authority.
- Learn to read and interpret complex building plans, specifications and building codes.
- Learn to accurately interpret legal mandates, policies, rules and regulations, and apply them to a variety of occupancy eligibility procedures.
- Learn to create and maintain a variety of filing systems such as alphabetical, numerical, subject matter, etc. and prepare indices and cross reference files.
- Learn to interpret narrative information from tables, forms and computerized documents. Learn to interview and counsel people from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds. Learn to multi‑task, set priorities, and meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
- Learn to negotiate Housing Assistance Payments Contracts, contract terminations, and contract amendments.
- Perform complex and specialized technical and clerical work utilizing independent judgment, and requiring speed and accuracy.
- Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports.
- Type and word process documents at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with hostile or emotionally upset clients; and to demonstrate empathy.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work and maintain a positive public image.
Knowledge of:
- Modern office practices, methods and procedures.
- Modern English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Standard office machines and equipment, including computer terminals, business software, and applicable electronic equipment, such as field entry devices and cellular phone.
- Record keeping principles and practice. Basic mathematical computations.
- Techniques for working with a variety of individuals from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds.
- Techniques used to interview and counsel people from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds.
- Legal mandates, rules, regulations, local policies and plans relating to housing and occupancy eligibility procedures.
- Operational procedures, policies, rules, regulations and legal provisions specific to the assignment. Practices and procedures used in housing inspections.
- Related codes and ordinances pertaining to public housing programs and enforced by the City and the Housing Authority.
Ability to:
- Read and interpret complex building plans, specifications and building codes.
- Interpret legal mandates, policies, rules and regulations, and apply them to a variety of occupancy eligibility procedures.
- Create and maintain a variety of filing systems such as alphabetical, numerical, subject matter, etc.; and prepare indices and cross reference files.
- Interpret narrative information from tables, forms and computerized documents. Interview and counsel people from diverse cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds. Multi‑task, set priorities, meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
- Negotiate rent agreements, contract terminations, and contract amendments.
- Perform complex and specialized technical and clerical work utilizing independent judgment, and requiring speed and accuracy.
- Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports.
- Type and word process documents at a speed necessary for successful job performance. Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with hostile or emotionally upset clients; and to demonstrate empathy.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work and maintain a positive public image.
Experience:
Two years of experience in a social or community service agency involving public contact which required the explanation and application of rules, regulations and standards.
Housing and/or social service program experience that required interaction with individuals from diverse ethnic and socio‑economic backgrounds is desirable.
Note: One year of clerical experience in a housing program may be substituted for one of the two years of social services experience.
Education:
Equivalent to a high school diploma with specialized training in business practices, manual and automated record management, storage and retrieval systems. Additional college course work in social services, psychology or a field related to the intent of the class is desirable.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license by appointment to the class. The driver’s license must be maintained in good standing throughout employment in the Housing Specialist classification series.
*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with City of Vallejo. For continued employment with City of Vallejo, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
Experience:
Two years of experience in a social or community service agency involving public contact which required the explanation and application of rules, regulations and standards, and one year of experience performing duties in a housing services environment, comparable to a Housing Specialist I, which required interaction with individuals from diverse ethnic and socio‑economic backgrounds; or one year of experience as a Housing Specialist I, demonstrating proficiency in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Note: One year of clerical experience in a housing program may be substituted for one of the two years of social services experience.
Education:
Equivalent to a high school diploma with specialized training in business practices, manual and automated record management, storage and retrieval systems. An Associate’s Degree or certificate in business, management, social services, psychology or a field related to the intent of the class is desirable.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license by appointment to the class. The driver’s license must be maintained in good standing throughout employment in the Housing Specialist classification series.
Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year from
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