Housing Specialist

**SUMMARY OF POSITION**

The Wilmington Housing Authority, public non-profit, federally assisted agency, provides decent, safe and sanitary housing in a businesslike manner with concern for the quality of life for residents. The Authority's clients include low-income families, elderly and disabled individuals.

The Section 8 Department is responsible for administering the Authority Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Mainstream Vouchers, Single Room Occupancy (SRO) and Veterans Affairs Support Housing (VASH) programs. The Department determines applicant and participant eligibility, conducts annual recertifications, interim adjustments, enrollment interviews for applicants and current participants. It also determines landlord eligibility into the program.

The Housing Specialist is responsible for performing annual recertifications and interim adjustments and conducts interviews for current participants and participants who are transferring out of the program and conducts enrollment and eligibility interviews with applicants and port-in families.

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Schedules and conducts annual recertification interviews, interim interviews and enrollment interviews for program participants;
- Determines need for interim rent changes and completing all established and required processing procedures;
- Conducts applicant interviews, determines program eligibility and conducts detailed briefings with applicants to provide information on the Section 8 Program and the private rental market;
- Processes applicant documentation for enrollment and lease signing with all parties; Reviews and processes cases involving lease terminations, informal hearings and reinstatements;
- Verifies income, assets, family status, criminal history and other relative information to determine continued eligibility in accordance with Federal regulations and agency policy; Computes Total Tenant Payments, and agency Housing Assistance Payments;
- Conduct transfer and outgoing portability interviews; issues and monitors voucher lease expiration and six-month billing dates; conducts lease signing among all parties or sends outgoing portability to receiving PHA;
- Conducts SRO and VASH program interviews and processes documents for enrollment; Works closely with third-party coordinators;
- Works closely with Homeownership Coordinator for HCV Homeownership Program; Conducts eligibility interviews, processes documentation, calculates housing assistance payment and monitors Homeownership contract for expiration;
- Prepares general correspondence and performs related clerical duties;
- Types appointment letters, labels, routine correspondence, memoranda, monthly reports and forms using a computer;
- Maintains complex files, both computerized and manually;
- Determines need for interim rent changes and completing all established and required processing procedures;
- Assists in researching, developing, maintaining and revising department forms, procedures and control systems as needed.
- Monitors and informs landlords and participants of annual recertifications, interim recertifications, terminations and other relevant information;
- Communicates with clients and general public through personal contact, telephone or in writing;
- Prepares monthly statistical and narrative reports to illustrate short
- and long-term goals, accomplishments and problems
- Refers clients to social service agencies when necessary;
- Assists with other departmental functions for the Section 8 Program;
**SUPERVISION**

Supervision Received: Receives direct supervision from the Section 8 Chief

Supervision Given: None

**REQUIREMENTS**

Associates Degree in Business Management, Human Services or other related field; _**BA degree preferred**_. Three year's work-related experience or equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities as determined by the Human Resources Department.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES**

Demonstrated knowledge of interviewing techniques; Demonstrated knowledge of Section 8 program regulations; Proficiency in all programs of the Microsoft office suite, notably Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and Elite and demonstrated skill in typing; Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment. Demonstrated ability to give group presentations; Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; Demonstrated ability to maintain complex files; Demonstrated knowledge of basic math and accounting skills; Demonstrated ability to deal courteously and discretely with individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds; Demonstrated organizational skills.

**SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS**

Must receive Housing Choice Voucher (HVC) certification within 12 months of employment in the position.

**PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS**

Valid driver's license and insurable driving record.

**PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS**

Ability to tolerate prolonged sitting at the computer or typewriter,