Program Specialist

Housing Opportunities Commission; Silver Spring (MD); Hybrid; USD 62,060 - 101,401; Full time

Job summary

Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County seeks a Program Specialist to support residents in subsidy programs such as Move-Up Initiative, Community Choice Homes, and Youth Bridge Initiative. Responsibilities include managing waiting lists, determining eligibility, interview for certifications, issuing subsidies, lease approvals, HUD INSPIRE inspections, and data entry.

This hybrid role offers remote work two days a week after a six-month probation and requires a Bachelor's in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling or related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in social services or housing.
• Experience in data collection and data analysis entry.

Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility and continuation for rental assistance programs.
• Interview, certify, and recertify families.
• Calculate tenant payments and utility allowances.
• Schedule inspections and negotiate repairs.
• Prepare and negotiate housing contracts with landlords.
• Enter data into YARDI and maintain orderly files.
• Respond to inquiries from social service providers, clients and landlords.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Data entry

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Google Workspace

Microsoft Word

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling or related field

Tools

YARDI

AODOCS

MS Word

Google Workspace

Job description

Program Specialist

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.

HOC's Resident Services Department strives to enhance the lives of HOC customers by coordinating and implementing a vast array of high-quality programs, services, and resources. Through collaborative partnerships with Montgomery County, the federal government, and various community-based organizations, Resident Services is able to offer comprehensive service coordination, impactful resident programs, and robust supportive housing services to individuals and families who reside in HOC owned-managed properties or receive HOC housing subsidies, as well as applicants on HOC's waitlist.

Job Description

The Program Specialist will provide a broad range of support to HOC customers participating in housing subsidy programs such as in the Move-Up Initiative (MUI), Community Choice Homes (CCH), and Youth Bridge Initiative (YBI) programs.

This position is responsible for all steps in client processing for rental assistance programs. This includes waiting list management, eligibility determination, certification interviews, subsidy issuance, lease approval, HUD INSPIRE inspections, contract preparation, data entry, recertifications, quarterly metrics, rent increases, moves, terminations and quality assurance.

Note: This is a hybrid position. Employees are eligible to work remotely two days a week once the 6-month probation period has been successfully completed.

Job Duties:

• Determine eligibility of applicants and participants for placement and continuation.
• Interview, certify, and recertify families for continuance.
• Calculate tenant payments, utility allowances and review leases.
• Schedule and perform unit inspections, notify landlords and tenants in writing of deficiencies, and negotiate repairs.
• Prepare and negotiate Housing Contracts with landlords and obtain signatures.
• Enter data into YARDI, gather required documentation and maintain orderly files in AODOCS.
• Assist in preparation of program reports, as required.
• Respond to inquiries from social service providers, clients and landlords.
• Advise clients and property owners of program rules and regulations.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• At least three (3) years' experience in social services, housing, or a related field.
• Experienced in precision-driven rent calculation, including income-based adjustments and regulatory auditing preferred.
• Experience in data collection and data analysis entry required.

Education

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Licenses and Certifications

• Must have a valid driver's license, a good driving record, a car and the ability to navigate Montgomery County. Travel-related reimbursements are provided.
• Ability to take and pass the NSIRE Inspectors Training within six (6) months of hire required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of subsidized housing programs required.
• Ability to display knowledge of program regulations required.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to interpret and evaluate data or information, weigh alternatives to determine eligibility of applicants or acceptability of housing required.
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing required.
• Organizational skills and ability to maintain orderly files, logs and records required.
• Ability to document in each customer's electronic file in a timely manner required.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact well with people of varied backgrounds required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and manage multiple cases in process simultaneously required.
• Ability to use computer software such as Word and the ability to learn the YARDI housing management software to perform required forms, rent calculation, move ins and move outs required.
• Ability to utilize technical skills such as Google work space including Docs, Google Sheets, Forms, Gmail and Drive required.

Grade 20 - Min: $62,060 / Mid: $81,731 / Max: $101,401 | 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.