Housing Choice Voucher Officer

JOB VACANCY

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER OFFICER

ENTRY LEVEL SALARY:  $41,255  -   FULL-TIME

OFFICE LOCATION:  Dover

Looking for a career with excellent benefits?

As part of the DSHA team, you will have immediate access to health, vision, and dental insurance, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, tuition assistance, fitness reimbursement, retirement plan, and more while working to further DSHA’s mission of providing safe, affordable housing.

This non-State position is responsible for assisting the Housing Choice Voucher Coordinator in the administration for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy Office, including the training of office staff. A significant element of the work involves negotiating over 900 residential dwelling leases and housing assistance payment contracts with over 300 private landlords.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Essential functions are fundamental, core and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties. Since specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Schedule and perform annual Section 8 tenant recertifications. Ensure all tenant income, family composition, and rent information is complete, verified and accurately entered into the computer system in a timely manner. Coordinate with the accounting section to resolve any discrepancies in subsidy payment information. Explains the waiting list policy and procedures and assists applicants in completing their applications. Contacts applicants who failed to correctly complete the application and solicits the required information to complete the application process.
• Schedule and conduct on-site housing inspections to ensure Housing units comply with HUD Housing quality Standards (HQS) and the State Housing Code. Notify landlords of results and recommendations via letter. Schedule re-inspections to ensure deadlines are met according to regulations. Schedules interviews for the Occupancy Specialist as needed and contacts employers, landlords, etc., to obtain information to complete applicant files.
• Review Requests for Tenancy Approval and schedule initial, annual and special HQS inspections. Communicate with landlords and tenants to ensure they understand Section 8 rent subsidies, utility allowances and other program policies and procedures. Act as an advocate in cases where tenants have difficulty negotiating with landlords.
• Interact with State, federal, and local agencies, applicants, residents, and general public. Identify unusual Housing or social conditions and make referrals to Child Protective Services, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Aging, or other appropriate agencies. Assist in outreach and orientation of new landlords. Conduct informal reviews and hearings to review appeals of ineligible applicants and participants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, regulations and policies as they pertain to the Section 8 program
2. Knowledge of social service programs and other resources of community, government and private agencies.
3. Skill in interviewing techniques.
4. Skill in mathematical computations.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinate, representatives of other agencies and the general public.
6. Ability to evaluate issues, explain rules and regulations.
7. Successful Competition of a Criminal Screening.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SCREENING AND VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE

BENEFITS

These include up to 15 vacation days and 15 sick day leave accrual, up to 13 paid holidays a year, liberal retirement benefits, immediate access to paid health, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance plans and voluntary dental, vision, and various supplemental benefit options.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Applications must be completed by the closing date on our website www.destatehousing.com (Click on About Us, Employment, Click Here to View All Current Openings, Select job, Scroll Down & Click Apply Now.) Contact: e-mail: DSHA_HR@delaware.gov

      DSHA IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

As an equal opportunity employer, DSHA provides an employment environment that supports and encourages the application of all persons without regard to race, color religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  Please call DSHA at 302.739.4263 or 888.363.8808 with any questions or requests. TTY/ ASCII/ VOICE/VCO users may utilize the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 800.676.3777.

DIRECT DEPOSIT OF PAY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN DIRECT DEPOSIT WILL RESULT IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. DSHA HAS A LAG PAY SYSTEM.

Salary : $41,255