Janesville Group
Rent Assistance Housing Specialist
Janesville Group, Janesville, Wisconsin, United States, 53546
Overview
Under direct supervision of the Housing Services Director, this position provides housing support and case management to eligible Rent Assistance participants, ensures assisted housing is maintained in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition, supports family self-sufficiency, and promotes fair housing. This position ensures compliance with federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Janesville Community Development Authority Administrative Plan rules and regulations. Relationships
Reports to: Housing Services Director Has work contact with appointed City officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, program participants and applicants, rental property owners and managers, City staff, outside agencies, business representatives, vendors, and the general public. Supervises: None Essential Duties
Determines all aspects of initial eligibility of applicants and their position on the waiting list, including verification of income assets, preference, citizenship or eligible immigration status, family composition, and complete criminal background review. Ensures persons not eligible for assistance are notified of their ineligibility within a reasonable amount of time and provided an opportunity to appeal the decision. Conducts individual and/or group orientation sessions reviewing program rules and regulations with new program participants; may also record virtual orientation videos. Maintains a system of ensuring that rent is reasonable for assisted rental unit; reviews rent for reasonableness and affordability before initial Lease Up; reviews landlord requests for rent increases thereafter. Ensures that contract and lease requirements are met, signed, and tenants understand landlord and tenant responsibilities. Reviews client files for accurate income and family composition information annually; applies appropriate payment standards and utility allowances. Calculates changes in tenant and rent assistance payments; notifies tenant and landlord of all changes in the amount of assistance provided. Conducts interim re-examinations for current program participants; receives and reviews all changes in income, expenses, assets, and family composition; calculates changes in the amount of housing assistance provided. Develops and maintains rapport with future, current, and past program participants and landlords; responds to telephone and in-person inquiries, provides general program information, and facilitates complaint resolution. Collects necessary information about possible program participant fraud or misrepresentation and takes appropriate action. Makes recommendations regarding program termination; prepares information for termination hearing, and represents the City in informal hearing process. Undertakes activities in support of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Assists in annual and periodic evaluation of the Rent Assistance Program. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of HUD program rules and regulations; recommends appropriate amendments and policy changes to the Administrative Plan to the Housing Services Director; reviews HUD circulars, memorandums, directives, and Federal Register proposed and final program rule changes. Undertakes activities to promote fair housing. Maintains accurate program records; periodically puts files into or retrieves files from storage. Types and composes correspondence, forms, brochures, flyers, manuals, and administrative policies. Coordinates with other Housing Authorities when transferring vouchers from one jurisdiction to another. Prepares Housing Assistance Payments for processing and submits to the Accounting Office on a bi-monthly basis. Reviews discrepancies in income; follows protocols for repayment agreements when necessary. Assists the Housing Inspection and Compliance Coordinator to ensure assisted housing is decent, safe, and sanitary; assists in scheduling and conducting housing quality standards (HQS) inspections, determining compliance, communicating results to tenants and landlords, and re-inspecting and address violations, as necessary. Assists the Housing and Inspection and Compliance Coordinator in responding to tenant concerns about possible housing violations and conducting special complaint inspections as needed. Follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures; reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor; reports all accidents to the supervisor immediately whenever possible; follows recognized safe work practices. Performs other special projects and other job duties as assigned or required during regular and non-business hours. All employees may be assigned by the City Manager or their designee to perform duties and assume responsibilities that are outside the scope of their work duties when the City Manager has declared a City disaster or the City Emergency Operations Center has been initiated. Minimum Position Requirements/Qualifications
High School diploma or GED is required. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working with low-income populations or housing program, determining program eligibility, income calculation, or federal or state assistance programs is required. A valid state-issued driver’s license at time of hire is required. Have or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire: Housing Quality Services (HQS) Certification; Housing Specialist Certification; Enterprise Income Verification Other Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in social work, communications, public administration, or a closely related field is preferred. Experience in social work or working for a social service agency or with the Housing Choice Voucher Rent Assistance is preferred. Basic construction knowledge or prior experience in housing inspection is preferred. Competencies
Knowledge Of
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and local housing regulations and codes. Thorough knowledge of HUD rules and regulations. Thorough knowledge of safety and health standards related to housing quality standards.
Skill In
Organizational and time management skills to prioritize duties and accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority. Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing, paired with a strong customer service background, and effective interpersonal skills. Collaboration skills to effectively work with others to achieve common goals through communication, teamwork, and problem-solving Critical thinking skills to effectively analyze situations and solve complex or technical problems in a timely manner. Accurate record-keeping and data-reporting skills to prepare and present regulatory reports. Intermediate level of technical proficiency skills, including computer applications and software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
Abilities
Ability to compose routine correspondence and routine reports in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner, utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and tone. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and to compute percentages. Ability to make decisions according to HUD, applicable laws, regulations, established procedures, and the directives of the City Manager and City Council. Ability to comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures, and report all unsafe activities or conditions to supervisor. Ability to maintain a valid, state-issued driver’s license.
Behaviors
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with appointed City officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, program participants and applicants, rental property owners and managers, City staff, outside agencies, business representatives, vendors, and the general public. Exhibit exceptional professionalism, tact, and decorum in all areas of work duties. Strong ethics base built upon integrity, honesty, initiative, and respect; maintain strict confidentiality. Interact positively with a diverse group of individuals and work effectively both as part of a team and independently. Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable work environment. Conduct all business and working relationships in an accurate, fair, equitable and highly ethical manner. Work with the public in a fair and consistent manner, maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties Reliable, timely, and proactive in the completion of duties, meeting deadlines and responding to inquiries. Work with others in a positive and supportive manner to solve problems, generate ideas, and accomplish division and City goals. Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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Under direct supervision of the Housing Services Director, this position provides housing support and case management to eligible Rent Assistance participants, ensures assisted housing is maintained in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition, supports family self-sufficiency, and promotes fair housing. This position ensures compliance with federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Janesville Community Development Authority Administrative Plan rules and regulations. Relationships
Reports to: Housing Services Director Has work contact with appointed City officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, program participants and applicants, rental property owners and managers, City staff, outside agencies, business representatives, vendors, and the general public. Supervises: None Essential Duties
Determines all aspects of initial eligibility of applicants and their position on the waiting list, including verification of income assets, preference, citizenship or eligible immigration status, family composition, and complete criminal background review. Ensures persons not eligible for assistance are notified of their ineligibility within a reasonable amount of time and provided an opportunity to appeal the decision. Conducts individual and/or group orientation sessions reviewing program rules and regulations with new program participants; may also record virtual orientation videos. Maintains a system of ensuring that rent is reasonable for assisted rental unit; reviews rent for reasonableness and affordability before initial Lease Up; reviews landlord requests for rent increases thereafter. Ensures that contract and lease requirements are met, signed, and tenants understand landlord and tenant responsibilities. Reviews client files for accurate income and family composition information annually; applies appropriate payment standards and utility allowances. Calculates changes in tenant and rent assistance payments; notifies tenant and landlord of all changes in the amount of assistance provided. Conducts interim re-examinations for current program participants; receives and reviews all changes in income, expenses, assets, and family composition; calculates changes in the amount of housing assistance provided. Develops and maintains rapport with future, current, and past program participants and landlords; responds to telephone and in-person inquiries, provides general program information, and facilitates complaint resolution. Collects necessary information about possible program participant fraud or misrepresentation and takes appropriate action. Makes recommendations regarding program termination; prepares information for termination hearing, and represents the City in informal hearing process. Undertakes activities in support of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Assists in annual and periodic evaluation of the Rent Assistance Program. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of HUD program rules and regulations; recommends appropriate amendments and policy changes to the Administrative Plan to the Housing Services Director; reviews HUD circulars, memorandums, directives, and Federal Register proposed and final program rule changes. Undertakes activities to promote fair housing. Maintains accurate program records; periodically puts files into or retrieves files from storage. Types and composes correspondence, forms, brochures, flyers, manuals, and administrative policies. Coordinates with other Housing Authorities when transferring vouchers from one jurisdiction to another. Prepares Housing Assistance Payments for processing and submits to the Accounting Office on a bi-monthly basis. Reviews discrepancies in income; follows protocols for repayment agreements when necessary. Assists the Housing Inspection and Compliance Coordinator to ensure assisted housing is decent, safe, and sanitary; assists in scheduling and conducting housing quality standards (HQS) inspections, determining compliance, communicating results to tenants and landlords, and re-inspecting and address violations, as necessary. Assists the Housing and Inspection and Compliance Coordinator in responding to tenant concerns about possible housing violations and conducting special complaint inspections as needed. Follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures; reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor; reports all accidents to the supervisor immediately whenever possible; follows recognized safe work practices. Performs other special projects and other job duties as assigned or required during regular and non-business hours. All employees may be assigned by the City Manager or their designee to perform duties and assume responsibilities that are outside the scope of their work duties when the City Manager has declared a City disaster or the City Emergency Operations Center has been initiated. Minimum Position Requirements/Qualifications
High School diploma or GED is required. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working with low-income populations or housing program, determining program eligibility, income calculation, or federal or state assistance programs is required. A valid state-issued driver’s license at time of hire is required. Have or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire: Housing Quality Services (HQS) Certification; Housing Specialist Certification; Enterprise Income Verification Other Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in social work, communications, public administration, or a closely related field is preferred. Experience in social work or working for a social service agency or with the Housing Choice Voucher Rent Assistance is preferred. Basic construction knowledge or prior experience in housing inspection is preferred. Competencies
Knowledge Of
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and local housing regulations and codes. Thorough knowledge of HUD rules and regulations. Thorough knowledge of safety and health standards related to housing quality standards.
Skill In
Organizational and time management skills to prioritize duties and accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority. Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing, paired with a strong customer service background, and effective interpersonal skills. Collaboration skills to effectively work with others to achieve common goals through communication, teamwork, and problem-solving Critical thinking skills to effectively analyze situations and solve complex or technical problems in a timely manner. Accurate record-keeping and data-reporting skills to prepare and present regulatory reports. Intermediate level of technical proficiency skills, including computer applications and software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
Abilities
Ability to compose routine correspondence and routine reports in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner, utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and tone. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and to compute percentages. Ability to make decisions according to HUD, applicable laws, regulations, established procedures, and the directives of the City Manager and City Council. Ability to comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures, and report all unsafe activities or conditions to supervisor. Ability to maintain a valid, state-issued driver’s license.
Behaviors
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with appointed City officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, program participants and applicants, rental property owners and managers, City staff, outside agencies, business representatives, vendors, and the general public. Exhibit exceptional professionalism, tact, and decorum in all areas of work duties. Strong ethics base built upon integrity, honesty, initiative, and respect; maintain strict confidentiality. Interact positively with a diverse group of individuals and work effectively both as part of a team and independently. Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable work environment. Conduct all business and working relationships in an accurate, fair, equitable and highly ethical manner. Work with the public in a fair and consistent manner, maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties Reliable, timely, and proactive in the completion of duties, meeting deadlines and responding to inquiries. Work with others in a positive and supportive manner to solve problems, generate ideas, and accomplish division and City goals. Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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