Housing Specialist

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to certify families for the Housing Choice Voucher Program by determining eligibility, certifying income, calculating rents, and ensuring proper payments to participating landlords.

All activities must support the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers (“HACFM” or “Authority”) mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

The HCV Specialist is responsible for:
•Conducting initial interviews
•Determining tenant selection
•Analyzing and gathering data to determine Section 8 eligibility
•Conducting Annual and Interim Recertifications
•Calculating rents & verifying income
•Conducting orientation briefings
•Reviewing work performed to ensure accurate payments to landlords
•Processing all monthly paperwork for their assigned caseload
•Performing self-audits and file Quality Checks
•Working with Special Purpose Vouchers and collaborating with social services
•Any other duties assigned by HCV Director
The HCV Specialist must be able to:
•Work independently
•Provide excellent customer service
•Answer phone calls & emails in a timely manner
•Demonstrate strong organizational skills
•Maintain their own caseload of clients
•Work within a team
•Work within HACFM’s and HUD’s timelines and guidelines
•Follow Federal, State, and Local regulations
•Have the ability to determine tenant selection based on regulation and administrative plan and policy
 

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Job Knowledge: Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively. Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity of the Authority; uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.

Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.

Safety Awareness: Employee is cognizant of his/her surroundings. Follows proper safety procedures and considers the safety of self and others. Identifies, communicates, and assists in the correction of any safety concerns where appropriate.

Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Reliability: Employee demonstrates sound reasoning and critical thinking by making decisions in line with established Authority expectations. Performs work in a reliable manner that is both accurate and timely. Ensures a positive record of attendance.

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness. Holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work and does fair share of work.

Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field are preferred but not required. Minimum Two (2) years of experience in social services; working with families/adults, preferably in a large complex service-oriented environment.

Must obtain an HCV Specialist Certification within one year of starting position.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the Authority’s plan.

Technical Skills
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.