Occupancy Specialist I (Public Housing)

Position Description

Title: Occupancy Specialist I (PH)
Supervisor: Director of Conventional Housing
Exemption: Non-Exempt
Starting Salary: $31,616

Application will be accepted until the position is filled.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for overseeing and performing the re-examination process for continued occupancy of public housing residents. The position requires a thorough understanding of the public housing programs to include Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules and regulation, and the Housing Authority's rules, policies and procedures. The employee may perform some or all of the duties listed below. Specific duties include the following:

• Answer inquiries concerning polices and practices associated with the application and/or re-examination processes.
• Coordinate background information checks of tenants to be recertified. Verifies receipt of information from agencies or other sources as required. Schedules appointments for interviews and computes new rents for re-examinations.
• Conduct the re-examination interview with tenants, process and maintain files and correspondence associated with the re-examination process for public housing residents.
• Ensure proper verification method is processed for each re-exam as prescribed by HUD and Authority policy.
• Responsible for preparing all required office forms, correspondence, and memos.
• Review verification forms for accuracy and completeness, assimilates and inputs data into computer.
• Assist all members of the Conventional Housing Management Department as assigned by the Department Head.
• Assist in entering move-in and move out data into system, as needed.
• Assist in providing data to facilitate the preparing of Agency and HUD required reports.
• Interview and counsel applicants, screen applications and determine eligibility and monthly payments in accordance with FMHA guidelines. Submit processed eligibility data for final selection or rejection.
• Confer with applicants on the status of applications, notify selections to fill vacancies, and explain reasons for rejection to applicants when necessary.
• Conduct orientation sessions for new residents.
• Maintain key log and issue keys at move-in.
• May be required to track time, cost and revenue for Project Based Management.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing all other duties assigned.

Qualifications and Knowledge

• High school graduate or GED. Two (2) years college level courses in business practices, two (2) years' experience in clerical work including public contact work, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Occupancy Specialist Certification required or must obtain within twenty four (24) months of hire date.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to public housing and Authority policies and procedures on such housing.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and record maintenance.
• Ability to meet and deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex written and oral instructions, communicate and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Ability to make routine decisions in accordance with established administrative rules, regulations and policies, to explain the re-examination process to tenants in an objective and impartial manner.
• Ability to use basic office equipment such as typewriter, ten-key calculator, copier, computer etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other employees.
• Ability to deal effectively with situations requiring tact and diplomacy.
• Bondable.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Eligibility for coverage under PHA fleet auto insurance.

Supervision Received and Given

The employee receives instructions from the Housing Management Staff. Normally, the employee plans and carries out routine work activities with minimal supervision and independently resolves problems that arise. The employee receives specific instructions when complaints are brought to the attention of the supervisor, and when the supervisor is contacted by the employee for direction. The employee's work is reviewed periodically for conformity to organizational policies and attainment of objectives.

The Occupancy Specialist has no supervisory duties.

Guidelines

The employee performs routine duties by following established HUD and Authority policies and procedures. These guidelines cover most job-related situations and the employee usually is required to use independent judgment in making decisions. If guidelines do not cover a situation, the employee normally consults the supervisor. Guidelines are generally specific and clear.

Complexity

The employee performs a variety of related, routine and generally repetitive tasks. The course of actions is determined by the supervisor and by established procedures. The employee may coordinate, integrate, and/or prioritize tasks.

Scope and Effect

The employee's work affects resident families, managers, other agencies and other Authority personnel. The employee's efforts can enhance the Authority's continuing efforts to provide adequate leased housing to low-rent public housing families on a timely basis and at reasonable rates.

Personal Contacts

Personal contacts are with all of the above persons and groups. The purpose of such contacts is to obtain and provide information and verify, document and record information submitted by residents, and other Authority activities.

Physical Demands

Work is principally sedentary, but may involve some physical exertion, such as kneeling and crouching to obtain files, eye strain from working with computers and other office equipment.

Work Environment

Work involves the normal risks or discomforts associated with an office environment but are usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted and ventilated.