Housing Assistance Program Specialist (Gf)

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon funding availability.

Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a responsible, self-starting Housing Assistant Program Specialist to assist in the ongoing administration and maintenance of its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The HCV Program provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The population served is culturally diverse with a high percentage of Spanish speakers.
The Specialist will be expected to use independent judgement within defined administrative guidelines; review and analyze housing regulations and rules; prepare and develop statistical reports and presentations; and assist with the development of program guidelines.
Specific duties include:

• Conducting comprehensive client interviews to determine their initial and continued eligibility for benefits in housing choice and other special purpose housing voucher programs;
• Processing intake, enrollment, and portability for non-Arlington residency when necessary;
• Conducting interim and annual recertifications;
• Counseling clients on their rights and responsibilities in the HCV Program;
• Negotiating rents and other client-related issues with property managers and other entities;
• Working with database systems related to housing programs;
• Educating owners and clients about the implementation of new regulations;
• Providing ongoing Technical/Software training and assistance to staff; and
• Providing statistical reports using Microsoft Office Suite.

Successful candidates for this position will have excellent time management skills to meet multiple deadlines; an understanding of technology support systems applicable to housing programs and/or case management; and excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact and provide customer service to a diverse population of clients, property managers, staff, and others daily.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, sociology, or related field.
• Some years of experience in housing program administration.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience can substitute for the education requirement. A Master's degree in a directly related field may substitute for up to one year of experience.
The preferred candidate will have one or more of the following:

• Certification as a Housing Specialist or the ability to obtain the Certification within one year of employment;
• Experience in federal housing programs, particularly Housing Choice Voucher ASSISTANCE PROGRAMs;
• Knowledge of the principals, and practices of case management;
• Experience working with individuals applying for or receiving public assistance, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and/or non-English speaking individuals; and/or
• Experience interpreting and implementing technical regulations governing eligibility for subsidy programs.

Background check: A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
The candidate selected will be required to complete a State of Virginia Central Registry check.
Applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. The applicant must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent on a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.Work Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. In order to receive full credit for your experience, please ensure that you have included details of all relevant work experience on your application and have completed the Supplemental Questionnaire in its entirety.
#LI-OnsiteEmployment Type: Full-Time Permanent (GF)