What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist (Regional Housing Assistance Program) position at Northern Virginia Family Services?
Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a Program Specialist to join our Community Housing team's Regional Housing Assistance Program (RHAP)! In this role, you will provide essential administrative and operational support to a program that helps individuals living with HIV or AIDS access and maintain safe, stable housing throughout Northern Virginia.
You will coordinate program eligibility, housing subsidy payments, and administrative processes while working closely with clients, landlords, case managers, and community partners to ensure efficient and timely services.
Why This Role Matters: Stable housing is essential to health, well-being, and long-term stability. As a Program Specialist, you will play an important role in ensuring that eligible individuals receive timely housing assistance by supporting accurate eligibility determinations, coordinating financial assistance, and maintaining efficient program operations. Your work will help strengthen housing stability and access to essential resources throughout Northern Virginia.
Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.
This position has a starting salary in the low 40s. This position follows a hybrid work schedule, including remote and office-based responsibilities, with occasional travel to community locations and meetings.
In this role, you will:
Coordinate Program Eligibility and Housing Assistance
You will coordinate program eligibility, housing subsidy payments, and administrative processes while working closely with clients, landlords, case managers, and community partners to ensure efficient and timely services.
Why This Role Matters: Stable housing is essential to health, well-being, and long-term stability. As a Program Specialist, you will play an important role in ensuring that eligible individuals receive timely housing assistance by supporting accurate eligibility determinations, coordinating financial assistance, and maintaining efficient program operations. Your work will help strengthen housing stability and access to essential resources throughout Northern Virginia.
Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.
This position has a starting salary in the low 40s. This position follows a hybrid work schedule, including remote and office-based responsibilities, with occasional travel to community locations and meetings.
In this role, you will:
Coordinate Program Eligibility and Housing Assistance
- Review and process applications, gather and verify required documentation, and determine initial and ongoing eligibility for housing assistance.
- Calculate monthly housing subsidy payments and prepare eligibility summaries and financial assistance requests.
- Conduct periodic eligibility reviews and recertifications to ensure continued compliance with program requirements.
- Explain program policies, eligibility requirements, and appeal procedures to clients.
- Serve as a point of contact for clients, landlords, case managers, nonprofit partners, and county representatives.
- Respond to inquiries, coordinate follow-ups, and provide timely administrative support to ensure efficient program operations.
- Collaborate with internal NVFS teams and community partners to support service coordination and participate in client case conferences as needed.
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records, eligibility documentation, and program databases.
- Prepare correspondence, reports, payment requests, and other administrative documents.
- Ensure timely processing of applications and financial assistance requests in accordance with program guidelines and funding requirements.
- Support program reporting, data requests, audits, and other administrative activities.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- At least one (1) year of related work experience in administrative support preferred.
- Proficiency in usage of basic technological tools including laptops/computers, email, phones, and internet. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.
- Oral and written fluency in English; other language skills always welcome.
- Must have some knowledge of mathematics and accounting principles used in eligibility calculation.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with a diverse client base and landlords, including interviewing and negotiation principles and techniques.
- Ability to appropriately assess various client cases and situations and determine most appropriate course of action to ensure conformity with established eligibility guidelines.
- Successful completion of background checks upon hire.
- Work is primarily done in an office and remote environment but some travel to community locations, Agency office sites and meetings may be required.