Occupancy Specialist - Housing Voucher Program at Mental Health Resources Inc – Saint Paul, Minnesota

Occupancy Specialist – Housing Voucher Program

4-Day Work Week Option Available

Location: St. Paul

Pay Range: $22.56 - $28.65 / hour

We are committed to providing salary ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on your experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations.

Mental Health Resources, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion and take a person-centered care approach to the population we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

See what employees have to say about working at MHR!

www.mhresources.org/careers

The Occupancy Specialist is responsible for rental subsidy administration and housing support services for various Federal, State, and County funded housing programs which comprise MHR’s Housing Voucher Program. This position coordinates and maintains program output consistent with agency standards and coordinates program goals and activities to ensure targeted outcomes are achieved.

A few of the benefits offered by MHR:

• MHR is looking for candidates who are Spanish speaking, Hmong speaking, and Somali speaking. You may receive a $1000 salary bonus for passing the language proficiency exam.
• Up to 8 hours of clinical supervision per month provided toward LICSW, LCSW, LPC, and LPCC licensure.
• Intensive two-week initial orientation program AND on-going in-house training program.
• iPhone, laptop computer, and Wi-Fi provided for all community-based staff.
• Health insurance (including family health coverage) with employee costs in the top 6% of most affordable health care options. Competitive dental insurance.
• Automatic enrollment in retirement plan after 1 year with a 3% employer contribution.
• 9 paid holidays and 18 days accrued PTO during your first year.
• Annual merit-based salary increases.
• Schedule primarily Monday-Friday daytime hours.
• MHR is committed to working towards racial equity and combating racism.
• MHR is a tobacco free workplace promoting health & wellness for the individuals we serve and our employees.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communicate effectively with tenants and landlords
• Communicate and consult with tenants’ service providers in order to make sure necessary paperwork is obtained on behalf of tenants to ensure subsidy compliance, as well as provide guidance with matters such as tenants’ mental health issues, deficits with daily living skills and how they pertain to maintaining housing
• Collect and verify income documentation, perform rent calculations and notify all parties of changes in housing assistance payments and tenant payments
• Execution of rental subsidy contracts for new admissions and unit transfers; Communicate and correspond with tenants, landlords and support services regarding the status and provisions of the unit and the subsidy contract
• Communicate with tenants, landlords and support services to approve proposed rental units while ensuring the proper payment standards/Fair Market Rents (FMR’s) and utility allowances are being used within multiple programs
• Process Request for Lease Approvals and communicate with Housing Specialist or Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspector to ensure timely inspections
• Conduct rent reasonableness surveys
• Ensure that appropriate housing is obtained for program participants
• Obtain all necessary leasing documentation, rental assistance contracts, landlord leases, lease addendums and W-9s
• Mediate conflicts and work towards resolutions regarding tenants and their support services with property owners and property managers
• Coordinate program needs and activities with landlords to ensure the availability of housing for program participants
• Assist program participants with their search for affordable housing
• Perform HQS inspections when needed
• Document all relevant details pertaining to program participant services to maintain quality
• Maintain accurate, thorough and professional program participant records
• Attend all meetings and training sessions as directed by supervisor

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED, bachelor’s degree in a human-services related field preferred
• Experience relevant to the position strongly preferred
• HQS certification/experience strongly preferred; ability to obtain HQS certification required