Housing Assistant

Job Summary

The Central Application Center, located in Tukwila, WA, is currently recruiting for talented, detail oriented and conscientious candidates to fill the Housing Assistant role. The primary responsibilities for all Housing Assistants include being the primary staff at the call center; contacting third party sources for verifications based on outlined criteria; and collecting, processing and verifying documentation for clients and stakeholders. Additionally, the Housing Assistant will provide customer service and program support via email and various written correspondence.

The strongest candidates will bring:

• An ability to handle a high volume of calls from a switchboard.
• A desire to provide exceptional customer service as this individual is relied on to respond to questions from owners and participants.
• Excellent communication skills as they will be working directly with our clients and third-party agencies.
• A proven track record of being dependable.
• Experience working with diverse clientele and staff.
• Self-motivated professional with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail when reviewing information that has been submitted for completeness or determining what documentation will be required based on applicant situations.

The ideal candidate for this role will enjoy interacting with clients, landlords, staff, and many other internal and external stakeholders. They are proficient in the use of systems and tools to maintain organization. They are exceptional time managers and are resourceful in independently addressing and resolving issues as they arise. Multiple vacancies may be filled through this recruitment process.

King County Housing Authority (KCHA), an independent municipal organization is a high performing nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. To learn more about KCHA and our Mission visit this link.

Essential Functions

The Housing Assistant - CAC will:

• Answer incoming calls, provide customer service, and respond to inquiries by telephone and written correspondence; provide information on housing assistance re-certification requirements to clients, landlords, and third parties; assist with the completion of standardized forms or documents; ensure documentation accuracy and completion; submit in a timely manner to ensure subsidy retention.
• Process and prepare a variety of documentation for program or department assigned such as applications, annual re-certifications etc., update client information in appropriate software application or database.
• Determine required verifications based on family composition, employment, income, and related criteria; mail out review letters and packets to clients.
• Explain policies and procedures for moving, changes in family income and composition, requesting a reasonable accommodation, complaint inspections, and porting to clients and landlords.
• Contact third parties to collect verification by phone, fax, and email; follow up with third parties when clarification regarding income, household composition, etc. is required; scan and index re-certifications, interims, and miscellaneous documentation into electronic records system.
• Schedule and facilitate meetings with applicants.
• Maintain records and files.
• Process mail, including pick up, delivery, opening, sorting, and dispersing the mail to staff.
• Assist with special assignments as requested.
• Maintain inventory, office supplies, and office equipment.
• Assist with training new staff as needed.

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED AND
• Minimal experience in administrative support work with customer service experience OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience maintaining records (manual and electronic) and performing data entry with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to consistently and accurately document information and process files.
• Demonstrated success providing customer service over the phone, via email and in person.
• Proficiency using MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet; skill and ability to learn and use agency software programs (Tenmast).
• Ability to work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Clearly and effectively communicates both verbally and in writing by actively listening and sharing relevant information.
• Ability to work under stressful situations and manage stress appropriately.
• Excellent organizational skills including prioritizing, keeping track of information or work in progress, ensuring accuracy, and multi-tasking.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a team in a busy office environment while earning the trust, respect and confidence of others.
• Shows willingness to learn new methods, procedures, and techniques.

Special Requirements:

• Consent to and pass criminal records background check.
• Consent to and pass required assessments.

Position Information and Application Process

Application Requirements:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• Complete the online application profile in its entirety.
• Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter)
• Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)

Salary & Benefits:

The starting salary range of this position is $32.99 - $37.00 per hour dependent on qualifications and professional experience. The complete salary range for this position is $32.99 - $42.88 hourly. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, reduced tuition, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.

Work Environment:

After initial onboarding period, this position will have the opportunity to work remotely up to 60% in accordance with the KCHA's flexible work arrangements; however, remote work conditions will be reviewed on a regular basis based on business and program need. Employees must reside in Washington State and have the ability to report to the Central Office in Tukwila.

Physical Work Environment:

Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Equal Opportunity:

King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.