Program Representative

Purpose:

To provide general assistance in the administration of the Rental Assistance Programs.  Involves significant contact with residents, property owners and various community and governmental agencies.  Exercises some independent action and judgment within broad regulations and supervision as it relates to housing quality and participant/property owner responsibilities

Essential Tasks of the Position:

To provide general assistance in the administration and delivery of services for the Rental Assistance Program

• Receives and reviews resident applications to ensure basic eligibility for participation in program
• Organizes and conducts educational briefing sessions for new residents/property owners
• Issues vouchers of family participation to residents
• Evaluates the progress of residents within the program, principally to ascertain needed additional assistance
• Completes certifications/re-certifications of resident’s eligibility and income; computes rents, and prepares lease documents
• Maintains active communication with property owners and/or their representatives for purpose of compiling listings of available housing units, and for assistance to residents in occupied rented units
• Completes all necessary paperwork related to new leasing, moves, re-certifications and adjustments
• Receives complaints from tenants and/or property owners/agents 
• Acts as witness in signing of legal documents, such as leases
• Coordinates/schedules inspections
• Reviews Eligible Income Verifications (EIV) & calculates unreported income
• Prepares memos for payment/recoupment payments and tenant utility allowance payments
• Monitor/Follow-up on inspections to ensure required repairs have been completed prior to occupancy in order to release payment to owner.
• Reviews notices and other records prepared by personnel for clarity, completeness, accuracy, and conformance with instructions and regulatory requirements
• Forwards approved reports and records to supervisor, if necessary
• Coordinates leased housing activities with other sections of the agency to prevent delays in actions required or to improve services to residents

Interrelates with residents, property owners and the public in person/phone, answers inquiries, responds to complaints, schedules appointments and provides general information relative to leasing function

• Maintains a high degree of confidentiality relative to resident records

Secondary Tasks of the Position:

• Works on, researches and completes special projects, as assigned

• Possesses working knowledge of program language adaptive to agency leased housing needs
• Performs other duties, as assigned
• Inspects units to determine work necessary to meet HQS Codes; estimates costs and performs follow-up inspections to ensure quality and compliance
• Assists prospective residents in search of rental housing, offering personal assistance and counsel 

Position Requirements and Qualifications:

Education Level

• High school diploma, required
• Additional education, preferred
• Ability to speak/translate Spanish, preferred

Experience in Related Field

• 2-3 years of work experience in a public housing setting or a thorough knowledge of federal/state leased housing regulations, required
• Experience in social service field, preferred

Knowledge, skills, abilities, licenses and certifications

• Possess in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint as well as agency software system.
• Possess or have ability to obtain Leased Housing/Section 8 Certificate within one year from an accredited agency
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all assignments as mandated
• Ability to work harmoniously with other agency personnel
• Ability to relate to and interact with property owners, elderly and family residents in low to moderate income housing settings
• Ability to be flexible and perform work under time pressure
• Ability to train to other (new/experienced) staff
• Possess and retain a valid Rhode Island driver’s license (Class O) unrestricted except for corrective lenses and automatic transmission
• Working knowledge of housing systems, components, and quality standards
• Working knowledge of social service techniques
• Working knowledge of real estate principles and practices
• Ability to mediate disputes, such as: between resident and landlord
• Working knowledge of federal, state and Local Building Codes, Housing Quality Standards, Ordinances and Regulations
• Working knowledge of the court system related to the eviction process
• Working knowledge of tenant/landlord laws
• Ability to write clearly and concisely