Housing Specialist

The Housing Specialist is responsible for assisting in developing and planning housing supportive services ventures in the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency seven-county area. As the Section 8 Housing Specialist, this position inspects existing residential buildings and dwelling units to determine compliance with the Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.      
This position promotes and provides opportunities to staff to embody the agency mission which is “To Engage Communities and Coordinate Resources to Improve the Lives of People Experiencing Poverty”.  Program operation is designed around the mission, vision and values of the agency to meet both program and agency strategies and goals.
Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Participates & attends professional meetings and trainings as well as agency committees and ad-hoc teams as assigned
• Becomes familiar with other areas of the Housing Programs in order to ensure overall Program effectiveness
• Assist the Housing Director in strategic planning for future housing ventures, including conducting and updating housing needs assessments, preparing applications for submission to funding sources, and developing social, recreational and curricular programs, personnel policies and procedures
• Stay informed about project-related legislative and technical developments, including software and regulatory mandates.
• Perform &/or supervise preparation and maintenance of files, reports, and forms as they relate to the Section 8 HCV program and individuals that qualify for rental assistance and complete Annual and Interim re-examinations and data entry.
• Obtains permission or makes appointments with owners and tenants to enter dwellings for inspections
• Examines visually all areas to determine compliance with Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program for heating, lighting, ventilating, and plumbing installations
• Inspects premises for overall cleanliness, adequate disposal of garbage and rubbish, and for signs of vermin infestation; security, safety, structural issues, lead-based paint, and mold; and site and neighborhood to determine compliance with Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)program.
• Prepares forms and letters advising property owners of possible violations and time allowed for correcting deficiencies.
• Consults violation reports and revisits dwellings at periodic intervals to verify correction of violations by property owners and tenants. 
• Explains/briefs requirements of Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program rules & regulations to property owners, tenants, and other interested parties.
• Distributes informational materials to tenants and landlords regarding Housing Quality Standards of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program rules & regulations.
• Completes reports and paperwork necessary for inspections.
• Assist with or prepare funding source reports, account reconciliation, monthly and quarterly reports, billings, and program/participant records
• Coordinate paperwork with internal and external entities in maintaining and transmitting information, i.e. MVCAA Fiscal Dept., HUD, Missouri Dept. of Mental Health, grant entities, etc.
• Assist with the creation of new forms or systems.
• Follow confidentiality procedures as directed by government, agency and department guidelines. 
• Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Housing Director
• Efficiently enters data into the HAPPY/Housing Pro system
• Performs clerical duties which includes labels, assembling packets, photocopying, faxing, scanning, typing, correspondence, phone duties, mail (in-going & out-going) and shredding. 

Competencies:

• Has reliable attendance
• Willingness to do tasks even if they fall outside of job duties
• Promotes a positive work environment
• Organized/Manages time wisely
• Represents the agency well to outsiders

Supervisory Responsibility:

• N/A 

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, climb ladders & stairs, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

• Non-Exempt, Full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks per year)

Travel:

• Travel is required within the six counties we serve to do inspections of existing residential buildings and dwelling units.  An agency vehicle is provided 99% of the time.  Travel to participate in other training activities as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) or equivalent; or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Negative results of initial and random drug testing
• Family Care Safety Registry and fingerprint criminal background screening with acceptable results
• Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle

Expectations:

• Perform duties with a focus on safety and wellness
• Adhere to agency policies and code of ethics

Other Duties:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Work Authorization:

• Verification of identity and authorization for employment in the United States (I9 and E-Verify)

EEO Statement:
MVCAA provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability unrelated to ability to do a job, gender identity, sexual orientation, military services, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.
 

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