Housing Specialist-Waitlist

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Job description

Housing Specialist - Waitlist

The Omaha Housing Authority:

The Omaha Housing Authority is a Non-Profit Government Agency based in Omaha. The OHA contracts with HUD to provide low and moderate-income individuals with safe and sanitary housing through rent subsidies and administers over 2700 public housing units and over 3700 Section 8 units.

Core Values:

• We are Welcoming
• We Actively Listen
• We are Diverse, Inclusive & Equitable
• We are Exceptional
• We Practice Self Care
• We Share Power
• We Practice De-Escalation
• We are a Team

Benefits:

The Omaha Housing Authority offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time employees that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement and 457 compensation; 12 days of vacation that begin on your date of hire; and 17 paid holidays, including your birthday, a floating holiday, and a self-care day. For information on Omaha Housing Authority, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at

Hiring Rate/Wage:

This is a union position, the hire rate is $17.78 per hour.

Job Function:

To process and complete intake, leasing of applicants for the project based and tenant based voucher rental assistance programs. Position involves direct contact with applicants, participants and owners in the basis of determining participation by all parties meet compliance with OHA policies, HUD regulations and lease provision.

Essential Functions:

• Understand program requirements of the voucher program Section 8.
• Conducts interviews, eligibility of applicants for voucher rental assistance, wait list management, tenant screening and selection process.
• Assembles and verifies family composition, income and determines family eligibility.
• Explain program requirements through conducting voucher briefings either individually or in group settings.
• Maintains separate waiting list.
• Learn program requirements to ensure all documents are in the applicant/tenant files in accordance with documentation requirements, file reviews and auditing, etc.
• Perform rent reasonableness test to determine initial rents and renewal rents.
• Process request for tenancy approvals for applicants/tenants.
• Ensure inspections have been conducted prior to lease up.
• Determine family share and HAP payments with accuracy.
• Prepares correspondence to applicants, participants and owners.
• Organization of material pertinent to a HAP and contract execution and contract renewals
• Recommend and process withdrawal or termination of participants.
• Renews new regulations to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
• Maintains organized work space.
• Issue vouchers to families in the event owner opts out of existing contracts.
• Prepares and views upcoming contract renewals.
• Prepares reports, weekly/monthly, to HCV manager/HCV director.
• Must clearly understand all aspects of the policies and procedures of OHA, including OHA admissions and continued occupancy policies. Must have the ability to effectively communicate this to applicants and visitors.
• May conduct home visits, on site applications for prospective clients and/or residents.
• Determines the need for interim rent changes and completes all established and required processes and annual reviews as necessary to determine changes in rent eligibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• May provide transportation for applicants or residents.
• May assist with special projects.
• May work evening and weekend hours.
• May work in other areas of the HCV department as directed.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School graduate and two year's college education in human service, social work or related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years actual work experience in a nonprofit agency, which included client service interaction. Ability to speak Spanish beneficial.
• Incumbent must successfully complete OHA sponsored management certification courses within one year.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with diverse personalities, be mature, tactful and professional.
• Good knowledge of local agencies, property, stock and bond values and federal, state and city agency programs which are designed for low-income families.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions. Ability to make mathematical computations and compile statistical data and prepare reports.
• Housing Choice Voucher Rent Calc, Developing and Managing Project Based Vouchers and Eligibility Certifications required. Incumbents are required to obtain Housing Choice Voucher Rent Calculation, Developing and Managing Project Based Vouchers and Eligibility Certifications within the first 18 months of employment. OHA will pay for training and testing for an employee's first, and if necessary, second attempt to meet the certification requirements. If the employee fails both attempts, the employee is responsible for the costs of any further testing. Employee is to provide proof of the certification within the first 18 months of employment. Failure to meet the certifications within the 18 month time frame will result in removal from the position. Removal from the position may include and is not limited to the following: termination of employment, demotion, or transfer.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, consultants, contractors, HUD, local, state, federal officials; ability to communicate with people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office setting amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises and involves considerable public contact. Frequent exposure to computer and screen for extended periods of time and occasional exposure to the weather (rain, snow, extreme heat & cold) when showing units or making home visits. Depending on the assigned division, incumbents may encounter angry, obnoxious, and rude individuals.

OHA is Committed to Equal Opportunity:

Omaha Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.