Senior Housing Services Specialist at Los Angeles County Development Authority – California

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of technical, complex, and specialized duties in the administration of the most complex affordable requiring complex case management.
• Schedules and conducts formal reviews to determine initial eligibility for rental assistance; evaluates applications and supplemental information against HUD and Authority program requirements, rules, and regulations; determines eligibility in compliance with applicable federal, state and Authority regulations, policies, and procedures; maintains appropriate caseload.
• Schedules and conducts interim and annual reviews to determine resident’s ongoing eligibility for applicable rental assistance program; reviews change in income and household composition; sends out appropriate requests for information; recalculates rent and prepares amendment to current lease as required; notified residents of changes.
• Assists in determining compliance with program rules and regulations including HUD and Authority housing programs standards.
• Performs background checks of applicants involving credit and criminal history and obtains other pertinent information.
• Schedules and conducts briefings to explain public, and affordable housing programs, applicant and resident rights and responsibilities, program requirements and guidelines.
• Determines applicant and resident rental obligation based on provided financial information and applicable program guidelines; explains method of determination pursuant to HUD and/or Authority regulations.
• Organizes and prioritizes caseload to ensure that necessary actions are taken and processed within established timeframes.
• Interprets and applies applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances, and HUD and Authority rules and regulations relevant to the administration of Authority's rental assistance.
• Initiates and conducts counseling for those residents in violation of lease; assists residents with required documentation; recommends program termination as necessary.
• Composes, proofreads and processes a variety of documents including reports, letters, memoranda, and general correspondence.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records and files; updates information, research discrepancies, and performs data entry; maintains documentation for case management activities.
• Determines need for additional services and makes referrals and linkages to outside agencies for other services as needed.
• Provides courteous, respectful, honest, timely and professional communication and information to all Authority staff, program participants, visitors, and the general public; utilizes effective de-escalation techniques as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Administrative regulations, policies, and procedures governing rental assistance programs.
• Principles and practices of housing assistance and public housing programs and supportive services.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Eligibility, recertification, and case management practices and procedures as they pertain to assigned housing assistance programs and services.
• Case management techniques.
• Basic interviewing techniques and principles.
• Record-keeping principles and procedures.
• Public and private social services programs, services, and resources.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• Recent and ongoing development, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned programs.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as industry standards and best practices relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Authority staff
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform specialized, complex, and technical eligibility and case management work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of applicants, current and former residents, and other matters affecting prospective and/or current applicants and tenants.
• Deal objectively and effectively with applicants and residents having diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds and promote their educational and socioeconomic advancement.
• Maintain accurate files and records.
• Make accurate arithmetic computations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience performing eligibility determination and caseload management within an assisted housing or resident services program at a level equivalent to the Authority’s classification of Housing Services Specialist.

Desirable Qualifications:

Desirable Qualifications are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered desirable qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who possess these qualifications will not automatically be selected.

• Experience interpreting California Landlord/tenant laws
• Experience utilizing YARDI Voyager or similar software