Landlord/Tenant Investigator

A Landlord/Tenant Investigator is responsible for conducting investigations of complaints involving possible violations of Landlord/Tenant laws and resolving Landlord/Tenant disputes. Work requires the ability to establish effective working relationships with office staff, complainants, respondents and the general public. The employee works under the general supervision of the Landlord/Tenant Relations Division Chief.
Examples of Duties:

• Receives and responds to complaints/questions from landlords and tenants regarding their rights and responsibilities under the VRLTA;
• Uses informal mediation to assist parties in resolution of disputes;
• Promptly and accurately records and maintains the results of any action taken/information provided in the City-wide Salesforce data base;
• Responds to requests for information using data base records, and coordinate with other agencies using Salesforce as necessary regarding records maintenance;
• Provides relocation counseling and eviction prevention assistance including referrals to emergency services for persons facing eviction;
• Maintains concentrated knowledge to assist in the interpretation of tenant/landlord inquiries and analysis of case law through professional reading and by attending seminars, classes, college courses and available specialized training and education related to housing, property management, mediation, and landlord-tenant law;
• Maintains knowledge of changes in Landlord-Tenant laws, and prepares reports and advisories to the public, property management professionals and the Division Chief for advisories to City Council;
• Counsels home seekers in all housing options including affordable and shared housing situations using available resources.;
• Monitors legislative changes in the Virginia General Assembly related to landlords and tenants and updates the Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Guide annually to reflect changes effective July 1 of each year;
• Advises apartment owners and managers of substantial changes when necessary;
• Coordinates with Code Administration in individual cases, to make and follow-up on referrals and to maintain familiarity with updates and changes to the Property Maintenance Code;
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum & Additional Requirements
High School Diploma or GED; college coursework in psychology, sociology, counseling, urban affairs or related fields; one year of experience in applying techniques and procedures of investigatory work in the application of Federal, State and local laws and ordinances to legal fact situations; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Ability to write and edit professional documents and reports; ability to communicate professionally with difficult members of the public; and basic computer proficiency with word processing, database, spreadsheet and internet functions.Preferred Qualifications

Four-Year College Degree; one year experience in handling Landlord/Tenant complaints and applying Federal, State and local laws and ordinances to fact situations in dispute; personal knowledge of the Virginia court system and civil procedure as it applies to landlord-tenant law; working knowledge of the Virginia Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and exemptions to the Act; ability to counsel persons faced with immediate housing situations of an emotional and volatile nature, such as eviction; working knowledge of other City agencies that have an impact on housing; college courses or other training in dispute mediation and resolution; and fluency in English and Spanish.

Employment Type: Full-Time