Housing Specialist

Salary: $25.93 - $32.41 Hourly
Location : Eagan, MN
Job Type: FT Non-Limited Term
Job Number: 2023-00060
Department: Housing Assistance
Opening Date: 12/27/2023
Closing Date: 1/10/2024 4:30 PM Central
Job Summary
Housing Specialists are part of the Housing Assistance team at the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA), a local and national recognized leader in affordable housing.
Recruitment Type: This position is open until Tuesday, January 10, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Hiring Range: $25.93 - $32.41 per hour (DOQ)
Benefit package includes: Medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement, paid holidays, and paid time off.
Work Hours & Location: Monday - Friday flexible schedule (start time between 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.) with the ability to work up to two days remote upon completion of probation.
The Housing Assistance team administers local, state and federally funded rental assistance programs. The largest program is the federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program that serves over 2,600 households. The Dakota County CDA has consistently been recognized as a High Performer in the administration of the HCV Program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing Specialists act as a primary contact for clients and property owners to provide program information and apply applicable regulations and procedures to deliver rent assistance to eligible individuals and families.
The Dakota County CDA's mission is to improve the lives of Dakota County residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing and community development. For more information about the CDA, please visit
Examples of Duties
Process client files in accordance with all applicable program rules and regulations.

• Conduct all new applicant, re-examination, and portability interviews and briefings to evaluate each client's initial or continued eligibility.
• Ensure applicants, selected from the waiting list for program admission, meet the selection criteria.
• Ensure rent reasonableness; determine and document that rent to property owners are reasonable based on current rents for comparable unassisted units.
• Determination of adjusted income, including properly obtaining verification of adjusted income; properly attributing the utility allowance
• Ensure the determination of adjusted income results in an accurate tenant rent calculation, resulting in accurate Housing Assistance Payments (HAP).
• Ensure accurate HAP payments within the provided systems (i.e. holding, releasing, and recouping payments, as needed).
• Request and provide information relating to Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections.
• Ensuring that in cases where HQS deficiencies were not corrected within the required timeframe that the HAP payment is abated.
• Conduct file audits for accuracy and completeness and to ensure no audit findings.

Serve as a primary agency contact with program participants and owners of rental units.

• Provide program information as necessary to applicants, program participants and property owners.
• Educate program participants about the use of other human service agencies and encourage use of these agencies for the enhancement of their living situations.
• Assist participants in location of suitable housing by referring them to vacancy postings and other information resources.

Review and authorize cases involving interim rent changes, lease/program violations, terminations, and transfers.

• Assess the need for interim rent changes and process according to applicable policies.
• Document and report all suspected fraud to the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, after consultation and review with supervisor.
• Compose informal hearing presentations and act as representative at the hearings/reviews involving program disputes.

Perform other duties, tasks, and special projects as assigned including but not limited to:

• Provide back-up support to other Housing Specialists.
• Manage assigned workload with the provided tools and resources.
• Coordinate with Dakota County, its vendors, and the VA on programs where referrals are provided by these entities.
• Prepare monthly status reports and requisitions for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs.
• Prepare portability packets for out-going participants. Conduct group briefings.
• Maintain good working relationships with personnel from the county, housing authorities, and human service agencies.
• Participate in the agency, department, and project committee meetings.

Act as a positive representative of the CDA.

• Promote a positive image of the CDA to clients.
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with CDA employees, vendors and contractors working with the CDA.
• Answer calls and emails within 24 business hours.
• Handle calls or meetings with irate parties in a professional manner to diffuse the issue/conflict.

Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A combination of related education and experience to total 4 years (Housing assistance or social work)

Preferred Qualifications

• Housing Specialist Certification, or the ability to obtain Housing Specialist Certification within the first year of employment

Knowledge of:

• Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
• Tenant/landlord laws
• Basic mathematics
• Problem-solving techniques

Ability to:

• Accept responsibility, work independently, and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Work with a varied client base including special populations/clients with special needs and communication barriers.
• Handle difficult situations in a professional manner, when dealing with the public.
• Make decisions which have financial and/or legal consequences and which involve technical complexity.
• Process and maintain large volumes of detailed information.
• Work under pressure and with interruptions.
• Be flexible.
• Respect privacy and confidentiality of clients.
• Manage and resolve conflict; ability to negotiate.
• Make decisions.
• Interpret and apply regulations.
• Interpret legal documents.
• Disseminate, discuss, and discern information (oral and written).
• Operate computer software programs.

The Dakota County CDA offers a competitive benefit package. This position is eligible to participate in the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance (three plan options )
• Dental Insurance (two plan options)
• Vision Insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Medical and dependent care flex spending accounts
• 20 days (160 hours) of flex leave (vacation/sick paid time off) per year with increases in accrual amounts after every five years of service
• 12 paid holidays
• 8 hours of volunteer leave per year
• Paid parental leave (three weeks for the birth or adoption of a child for all parents)
• 401a HART retirement plan (in lieu of Social Security) - 12.7% employee contribution matched by 12.7% employer contribution
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (Nationwide) - optional
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• On-site fitness center
• Employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

01
Select the answer that best describes your comfort level with technology and software ( I.e. Computers, Microsoft 365, Yardi (housing softward databases), etc.

• Very comfortable
• Mostly Comfortable
• Somewhat comfortable
• Not comfortable

02
Select the technology and software you have experience working with

• Computers
• Ipad
• Scanner
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• OnBase
• Eheat
• Yardi
• ADP

03
Select the answer that best describes you years of experience working or volunteering with individuals with backgrounds other than your own.

• 8 plus years
• 4-7 years
• 1-3 years
• Less than 1 year

04
You received an employment verification stating that your particiapant works year round making $12/hour, working 40 hours per week, and on average working 1 hour per week of overtime at time and a half. This person is paid bi-weekly and contributes $200 each month for healthcare benefits. Select the answer that best describes their annual gross income.

• $24,960
• $25,896
• $12,948
• $23,496
• $10,548

05
You received a bank verification stating that your participant has a savings account with a balance of $352.68, earning a 0.2% interest. Select the answer that accurately states the annual income from the savings account.

• $0.70
• $0.71
• $70.54
• $7.05
• $O.O7

06
Do you hold a Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certification? This will not disqualify you from consideration.

• Yes
• No

07
Do you have Human/Social Services Eligibility Experience?

• None
• 6 mo - 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

08
Do you have Calculation/Financial Experience? (i.e. financial institution, banking, etc.)

• None
• 6 mo - 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

Required Question