Occupancy Specialist at Norfolk Redevelopment And Housing Authority – Norfolk, Virginia

About NRHA

At the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), we’re proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we’ve been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk. We also acknowledge that public housing has a complicated history, tied to issues of social injustice and racial inequality. While we haven’t always gotten it right, we’re committed to making positive change by offering quality housing options that support diverse, mixed-income communities. Our vision is to provide quality housing choices in neighborhoods where people want to live. Our mission is to provide quality housing opportunities that create sustainable, mixed-income communities.

Position Summary

Reviews applications for admission to public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program following preliminary processing. Interviews applicants to determine eligibility for placement in public housing. Determines and communicates eligibility of applicant for public housing or HCV participation. Processes and coordinates the placement of eligible public housing residents. Coordinates the issuance of vacant HCV rental assistance vouchers to eligible applicants. Plans, organizes, and conducts public housing orientation sessions. Plans, organizes, and conducts HCV program orientation sessions. Responds to applicant and new resident/participant inquiries.

Essential Functions

• Reviews applications for admission to public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program following preliminary processing: receives application; and assesses applicants’ eligibility for placement in public housing based on application data, criminal history record, other data, and NRHA policies.
• Interviews applicants to determine eligibility for placement in public housing: contacts applicant; schedules interview; interviews applicant; and prepares documents to be used to record applicant eligibility.
• Determines and communicates eligibility of applicant for public housing or HCV participation: conducts or requests eligibility verifications, including but not limited to income, criminal history, and social services verifications; calculates earning and income levels; determines and notifies management of client eligibility; notifies applicant of eligibility; and enters applicant data into database.
• Processes and coordinates the placement of eligible public housing residents: offers vacancies to appropriate applicants from the approved public housing waiting list; assigns public housing living units to applicants; forwards application package to property managers; and authorizes transfers of residents between public housing communities.
• Coordinates the issuance of vacant HCV rental assistance vouchers to eligible applicants: offers available vouchers to appropriate applicants from the approved HCV program waiting list; assigns vouchers; and conducts initial lease-up between applicant and landlord.
• Plans, organizes, and conducts public housing briefing sessions for regular public housing residents, elderly public housing residents, and public housing residents with special needs: plans content of the orientation session; arranges schedule, materials, and location; conducts session; evaluates session; and takes corrective action for improving future orientations.
• Plans, organizes, and conducts HCV program orientation sessions for new participants: plans content of the orientation session; arranges schedule, materials, and location; conducts session; evaluates session; and takes corrective action for improving future orientations.
• Responds to applicant and new resident/participant inquiries: researches questions; communicates with new resident or participant to give response; and resolves problems related to the administration of the admissions process.
• Conducts on-site interview of applicant at applicant’s present address to verify public housing applicant’s eligibility for public housing: interviews applicant and verifies application information; inspects applicant’s living quarters and identifies housekeeping and maintenance problems caused by applicant; assesses applicant’s ability to uphold provisions of rental lease; conducts disability assessment of applicant; and documents visit and assessment.
• Maintains client records: updates database client maintains client hard-copy file per standard procedures: reviews files to assure compliance with procedures: and assists in periodic file audits.
• Performs a variety of administrative detail work related to administering the public housing and HCV admission process: prepares a variety of reports, correspondence, and memoranda, and maintains records of admissions activity.
• Performs related work as required.

Performance Standards

• Process and assess 100% of applications for eligibility per NRHA policies within established timelines.
• Schedule and conduct applicant interviews within 5 business days of contact; ensure all required documentation is complete and accurate.
• Complete verifications and income calculations with 98% accuracy; notify applicants and update systems within 3 business days of decision.
• Assign units or vouchers to eligible applicants within 2 business days of availability; maintain accurate tracking of placements.
• Respond to applicant and resident inquiries within 1 business day; resolve issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain complete and up-to-date client records (digital and physical) with zero compliance issues during audits.
• Prepare accurate reports and documentation as required, submitted on time and in accordance with policies.
• Adhere to HUD, NRHA, and Fair Housing regulations with zero compliance violations.

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or GED required for this position. One to two years progressively responsible administrative support experience in public housing, social work, or a related field. Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience necessary to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Rent Calculation certification, Occupancy certification, and Notary Public certification are required.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Subject to a background check and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to the eligibility and placement of applicants in public housing; includes knowledge of the Statement of Policy Governing Admissions to and Continued Occupancy in the Federally- Aided Low Income Public Housing Program, American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to the program eligibility and continued receipt of HCV rental assistance payments; includes knowledge of the HCV Program Administrative Plan as it relates to admissions and initial lease-up criterion.
• Operational knowledge of NRHA organization, programs, policies, and practices.
• Operational knowledge of personal computer, to include knowledge of word processing and data base management computer applications.
• Skill in managing human relations, particularly communication and persuasion skills. The jobholder must have the capacity to deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals, including those who exhibit skepticism or who do not cooperate with the jobholder.
• Skill in dealing effectively and courteously with the public, program participants, other employees, and others outside the organization. Includes the ability to maintain the confidentiality of business-related information.
• Oral and written communication skills to present and make comprehensible moderately complex information regarding organization operations, of which some information may be technical in nature; provide clear instructions; compose reports; and respond to questions on a variety of job-related matters.
• Ability to comprehend, understand, and interpret moderately complex and technical information.
• Ability to analyze detailed application data to determine eligibility for public housing or rental assistance.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in the implementation of moderately complex operational activities.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, see, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Job requires depth, color, and texture perception.

Drug Free Workplace: NRHA maintains a drug free workplace.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week