What are the responsibilities and job description for the Site Specialist position at Vermont State Housing Authority?
Vermont State Housing Authority
One Prospect Street Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802) 828-3295 contact@vsha.org
NOTICE OF OPEN POSITION
SITE SPECIALIST
November 6, 2026
Since 1968, the Vermont State Housing Authority has been working to improve and expand access to affordable
housing throughout the state. VSHA strategically partners and collaborates with rental property owners,
nonprofit organizations, agencies, and municipalities to implement innovative programs that promote housing
access and stability for our community members with income-based and other housing assistance needs.
POSITION: The Site Specialist provides technical and administrative work of a complex and responsible nature
related to the overall day-to-day administration of the Property and Asset Management Multi Family Housing
Division for a variety of HUD, Rural Development and IRS-funded rental assistance programs. Responsibilities
include waiting list management, the determination of initial and ongoing eligibility for rental assistance, and
the preparation/submission of monthly rental assistance billing.
STATUS: Open to internal and external applicants.
This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Pay Grade: 6
- FLSA: non-exempt
- Salary: $24.00/hour $49,920.00/annual
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include
1. In accordance with federal regulations, regulatory agencies, program specific requirements, and VSHA
policies and procedures performs the following functions related to initial eligibility/suitability:
o Manages/monitors waiting lists, available subsidies and unit vacancies.
o Prepare application packages.
o Assists applicants with completing required forms, explaining complex and differing programs
along with their individual eligibility requirements.
o Promotes and markets various housing options to general public and program
o applicants; and as needed/required, assumes additional responsibilities relative to marketing
and new initiatives.
o Reviews applications for completeness; obtains required verifications, criminal
background checks, credit checks and references; utilize the EIV system for eligibility.
o Applies different eligibility and suitability criteria depending upon the program type, determines
preliminary eligibility and suitability, adds completed applications to appropriate waiting lists.
o Performs mathematical calculations to accurately determine the tenant rent, rental subsidy and
utility allowance; prepares initial tenant income certification.
o Works cooperatively with all program staff to ensure applicants are processed and leasing
occurs in a timely and efficient manner.
o Creates and maintains permanent tenant files.
o Issues approval, denial and waiting list placement letters.
o Completes a purge of the waiting list on at least an annual basis.
o As necessary, respond to/attend informal meetings/hearings.
2. In accordance with federal regulations, regulatory agencies, program specific requirements, and VSHA
policies and procedures performs the following functions related to continued eligibility:
o Performs complex mathematical calculations to determine and process adjustments to tenant
rent, rental subsidy and utility allowance.
o Prepares and submits monthly HUD vouchers using TRACS; makes TRACS corrections as
necessary; monitors TRACS for rent adjustments and ensures the accurate and efficient transfer
of rental assistance to the properties.
o Prepares monthly RD Project worksheet in order to facilitate the accurate and efficient transfer
of rental assistance to the properties and mortgage payments to the mortgage holder.; utilizes
MINC to transmit tenant certifications, move in and move outs.
o Processes annual and interim reexaminations; verifies income and expense information, and
eligibility of new household members; determines ongoing eligibility of household. •
Responsible for individual caseload and managing processing deadlines to ensure adequate
notice to tenants.
o Utilizes HUD’s EIV system to determine eligibility and completes complex fraud calculations for
recoupment of Housing Assistance Payments.
3. Processes mail; handles telephone inquiries and correspondence.
4. Handles information requests, program explanations to applicants, participants, agencies and the general
public; resolves or refers any complaints or problems to the appropriate personnel. Refers
tenants/applicants to the appropriate agency in the community for resources not provided by VSHA.
5. Prepares and maintains accurate confidential applicant and tenant files, criminal record request logs and
background records, including within computerized program.
6. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with private and public agencies and community
service organizations, statewide community-based organizations, advocates, shelters, property owners,
agents, and other VSHA staff to meet the needs of applicants and program participants through all
appropriate programs.
7. Provides back-up to other site specialist during periods of leave or heavy workloads.
8. Assists with special projects in support of goals of the Multi-Family Housing Division.
9. Provides other administrative assistance to Site Managers.
10. Performs related work as required or assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
- Associate’s degree, with coursework in administrative/technical skills and office practices or additional
- Two years of administrative/technical work in human/customer services, preferably in assisted housing
- Must have or be able to obtain (within one year of employment, subject to budget restrictions)
regulations, where applicable and as required.
- Must possess a valid driver's license, dependable private means of transportation, and carry liability
Skills and Abilities:
1. Ability to learn, adapt and apply extensive, complex rules, regulations and functions related to VSHA, HUD,
RD, and LIHTC; and apply them to daily responsibilities (this knowledge should be acquired within the first
six months).
2. Ability to maintain confidentiality; exercise good judgement and communicate effectively orally and in
writing in stressful and emotional situations in which applicants/tenants may be in a heightened emotional
state, angry, frustrated, unable to communicate and/or discouraged.
3. Ability to exercise sound judgement in assessing the housing needs of a wide variety of applicants to
comprehend and apply complex instructions and program regulations and use mental resourcefulness and
initiative to solve problems as they arise.
4. Ability to meet goals and objectives set by the Authority within a specific time.
5. Possess strong organizational and communication skills; ability to plan and organize a heavy and complex
workload; quickly identify priorities of a busy, diverse office; operate under stress and work independently,
referring policy clarifications to supervisor.
6. Ability to collect pertinent and detailed data from a wide variety of sources maintaining detailed, thorough
and accurate files; ability to perform accurate arithmetic computations; knowledge of routine office
procedures, English grammar, usage and spelling.
7. Strong clerical skills: ability to think creatively and take initiative with appropriate supervision to solve
identified workflow barriers and create solutions in the form of custom forms, letters, and reports. Ability
to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and other computerized programs, including those by way of
modem (this knowledge must be acquired within the first three months); as well as general office equipment
and type accurately at a minimum of 30 WPM.
8. Working knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques and be able to apply these in a way that puts
applicants/tenants/colleagues at ease. Ability to communicate complex program information and
requirements to a diverse public and be sensitive to the needs of low-income, elderly and disabled
individuals and families.
9. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, program participants,
other agencies, and the general public; and work closely and cooperatively with staff to insure the smooth
administration of programs.
10. Possess an excellent telephone manner with ability to handle a variety of callers; ability to present a
professional image at all time.
To Apply: Please submit your application materials (resume, cover letter, and application) to careers@vsha.org
or Vermont State Housing Authority, Human Resources, 1 Prospect St., Montpelier VT 05602.
Vermont State Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. VSHA does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic
information, HIV-positive status, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship status, veteran/military status, crime victim
status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all of VSHA’s
terms and conditions of employment.