Housing Specialist
Make a difference and join the DCA Team! DCA gives employees more to do than merely make a living. We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement. If public service, a great environment, and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivate you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.
OUR MISSION
To help build strong, vibrant communities.
OUR VISION
For Georgians of today and tomorrow to have the opportunity to live and work in thriving communities.
OUR CULTURE
We are a diverse team of highly competent and committed professionals who strive to help people and communities thrive through technical expertise, innovative thinking and a passion for making a difference. Team members are at their best when collaborating and supporting each other as they perform challenging and dynamic work
General Description
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a state organization dedicated to partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses. DCA offers a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic environment that requires attention to detail, pride in quality of work, and the ability to work as a versatile team player.
Overview of Job
This position is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the occupancy, eligibility, and on-going operation of assigned housing programs. Maintains a caseload of clients within the Housing Choice Voucher Program, including, but not limited to: Regular, Portability, FSS, Homeownership, VASH, DOJ and PBV. This position requires knowledge of HUD Rules and Regulations, and the DCA Administrative Plan.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Certifies initial eligibility determinations, annual re-certifications, move, and interim certifications for program participants
- Determines and verifies income, assets, citizenship, medical expenses, and other eligibility requirements. For assigned caseload
- Completes subsidy calculations and adjustments for continued participation in the HCV program
- Ensure that all files in the caseload conform to HUD and DCA Administrative Plan rules and regulations
- Maintains effective communication with participants, property owner/managers to explain regulations and violations and options to resolve violations
- Completes Rent Reasonable comparisons to ensure that units do not exceed comparable unit rents
- Prepares and submits documents to assist in the finalization of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract in a timely and accurate manner
- Accurately calculates both participant and landlord rent according to rules, regulations, and procedures
- Conduct timely review of case files for interim re-certifications
- Coordinate with the inspections team the need for initial, special, and recertification inspections
- Ensure that all required data is entered accurately into the housing software and that all HUD 50058 reports are completed timely for all program participants
- May prepare verbal and written correspondence to landlords, participants, and other housing agencies
- Prepare a variety of computerized records and reports related to assigned activities.
- Reviews participant requests and prepares file for review, i.e., program hardship policies, program moves/transfers, and reasonable accommodation requests, to Manager
- Participate in monthly file audits
- Identify potential instances of fraud, and work with the DCA Compliance office to investigate fraud cases
- Ensure that all safety and health rules, standards, and procedures are observed; conduct monthly inspections of work areas and practices to eliminate potentially hazardous conditions
- Scan information received and purged from files into appropriate computerized client files in a timely manner
- Return telephone calls and e-mails within two (2) business day
- Maintain a high level of productivity
- Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information and issues
- Manage several tasks at once, anticipate and identify problems putting forward solutions that are creative, innovative and flexible
- Make accurate mathematic calculations
- Accurately interpret rules and regulations relating to the Housing Choice Voucher Program; work effectively with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds; communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relations with other staff, participants, owners, and landlords
- Continuously provides excellent customer support
- Perform related duties and tasks as assigned
- Perform other related duties, as assigned
Work/Life balance, Remote Work Environment, 13 paid Holidays, Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Educational Support Leave, Paid Parental Leave, 401k match and more!
Agency Minimum Qualifications
· Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment
· Excellent customer service skills with the ability to work well under pressure
· Strong oral and written communication skills
· Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite
· Must have HCV Rent Calculation certification or obtain within 12-months of hire
WORKING CONDITIONS (TRAVEL, HOURS, ENVIRONMENT)
This is a full-time salaried FLSA exempt position, which may include hours that exceed 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. This position is currently a Hybrid (mix of Telework/Remote and in-office) position. Employees must reside in Georgia.
Supervision Given and Received
The employee receives instructions from the HCV Operations Manager. Procedure, the supervisor, or the employee establish courses of action, deadlines, and priorities, depending on the assignment. Routine duties are initiated and completed by the employee without supervisory direction. Instructions to the employee may be general or specific in nature. Problems or situations not covered by instructions are usually referred to the supervisor for resolution. The employee's work is closely reviewed on a regular basis for accuracy, completion, and compliance with policies and procedures and the attainment of objectives.
The employee has no supervisory duties.
Guidelines
The employee follows regulations and guidelines issued by HUD, traditional practices, and DCA policies and procedures, referring to reference materials and handbooks as necessary. For situations for which there are no guidelines or when new guidelines are required, the employee seeks guidance from the supervisor.
Complexity
Work performed by the employee is relatively routine. The employee identifies work that needs to be done, prioritizes, coordinates efforts, and performs the tasks. The employee must use sound judgment regarding unusual or sensitive situations.
Scope and Effect
The employee’s work affects HCV Program operations. Through effective, and accurate accomplishment of tasks, the employee contributes to the department’s ability to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing and assistance to low-income portability participants.
Personal Contacts
The employee’s contacts are primarily with other employees and participants. The purpose of these contacts is to obtain or provide information; plan, coordinate, and advise regarding participation in the HCV Program.
Sedentary Work – Ability to exert 10 - 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
This position is a Section 3 covered position under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Section 3 residents are encouraged to apply. The purpose of Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968 is to ensure that preference for employment opportunities generated from the expenditure of HUD funds is directed to local low and very low-income persons, particularly those who receive federal housing assistance.
NOTE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided. Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
DCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need an accommodation for an interview, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 679-4845
Hiring is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, criminal records investigation and motor vehicle reports.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the business and requirement of the job change.
All duties and responsibilities listed are considered to be essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Marginal functions of the position (those that are incidental to the performance of the job duties) have not been included. However, the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.
