Customer Care Specialist

Are you passionate about helping people navigate important processes through exceptional service and support? Cook Inlet Housing Authority is seeking a Customer Care Specialist to support applicants throughout the housing application process. In this role, you will provide excellent customer service, guide applicants through intake and eligibility requirements, and help ensure a positive experience for everyone seeking housing services. 

What’s in It for You?

• Join a supportive and talented team who work collaboratively and will value your talents. 
• Opportunities to grow and learn through industry trainings and mentorship. 
• Work that helps change our community for the better. 

Competitive salary and benefits package;    

• Compensation: $21.63 – $25.24 per hour (DOE)  
• Medical plans offered through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program  
• Employer-paid Dental and Vision coverage  
• Employer-paid Group Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability   
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Accrual & Paid Holidays  
• State of Alaska PERS/SBS Retirement   
• Plus many other supplemental insurance offerings 

What You’ll Be Doing

Customer Service: 

• Provide excellent customer service, creating a positive and easy experience for all clients. 
• Assist applicants with application completion, status updates, and answering general questions promptly via the phone, electronic inquiries, and walk-ins. 
• Assess client needs and provide information and/or applications for services. 

Application Processing: 

• Schedule and manage applicant appointments to complete application intake and prescreening process. 
• Verify soft income calculation and determine appropriate wait list placement. 
• Recommend application approval or denial based on CIHA criteria guidelines and notify applicants of housing eligibility status.  

Community Outreach: 

• Utilize and maintain a network of referral resources for client needs. 
• Promote CIHA housing programs and provide referrals to appropriate services. 
• Represent CIHA at informational booths at various events as required.  

What We’re Looking For

Think you’ve got what it takes? Here’s what we’re after: 

• Customer Service Skills: You’ve mastered the art of providing excellent customer service and can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Detail-Oriented: You can read, analyze, and interpret policies and procedures, related Federal and State regulations, and other compliance-related documents. 
• Tech-Savvy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite is a must. 
• Cultural Awareness: Ability to interact professionally and sensitively with culturally, and economically diverse clientele. 
• Confidentiality: You handle sensitive information with care and the highest industry standards for protection. 

The Basics

• Education: An associate degree in business, property management, or other real estate-related field. Eligibility processing may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. 
• Experience: Four years of experience working in customer service. Housing or property management experience preferred. 
• Certifications: Preferred; NAHASDA essentials or LIHTC certification training. If you’ve got it, great! If not, we’ll help you get it. 
• Driver’s License: Current AK Driver’s license. 

Who We Are

We’re Cook Inlet Housing Authority – we develop, own, and operate a portfolio of affordable rental housing in the Cook Inlet region of southcentral Alaska. We are leaders in community development and advocacy work around affordable housing.  We are the Tribally Designated Housing Entity for Cook Inlet Region Inc. We believe in partnership and collaboration. Our mission is to create housing opportunities that empower our people and build our community.  Our work vibe is collaborative. If making a difference in the community matters to you, we may be a great fit! 

Cook Inlet Housing Authority provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Employment preference is given to eligible and qualified Alaska Native or American Indian candidates to the extent required or permitted by applicable law.