Program Specialist

Description

Starting Salary Range: $51,455 - $64,319 annually ($26.39 - $32.99 per hour), plus benefits

The Everett Housing Authority is a progressive agency pursuing its mission with great passion to create affordable housing and foster healthy communities where households thrive. EHA seeks passionate and optimistic individuals to join our team of highly engaged and satisfied employees committed to assisting those for whom stable and affordable housing is a challenge.

• A competitive salary
• Accrue up to 12 days of paid vacation in your first year of employment
• 13 days of sick leave each year
• 13 paid holidays each year
• A strong benefit package including health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as a pension plan (PERS)
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Work that makes a difference!

Under the direction of the Rental Assistance Manager, the Program Specialist I will perform basic customer service functions, assist clients and applicants in person and over the phone, and provide information to clients, applicants, landlords, and the public about the HCV/Rental Assistance programs. The work includes a variety of programmatic tasks including technical, administrative, scheduling, and processing functions as they relate to the HCV/Rental Assistance programs.

• Provides telephone and reception area coverage; greets and helps customers, provides program information to the public, clients, landlords, and stakeholders; makes referrals to other staff within the department or agency; operates multi-line telephone system.
• Assists applicants in determining eligibility for housing and the type of housing that meets their needs; explains HUD and EHA rules, regulations, programs, and services; assists applicants in completing their applications; reviews applications for completeness and assists applicants with inquiries regarding application status.
• Conducts client interviews to collect information; communicates with clients in person, on the phone, via video, and in writing; responds appropriately and in a timely manner to resolve concerns and answer questions.
• Administers, interprets, and applies rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and other requirements needed for eligibility and continuing assistance. Educates and assists tenants and landlords with program requirements.
• Completes detailed data entry for client files; prepares and maintains client files to meet state government audit standards; prepares statistical, status, and productivity reports.
• Processes a limited volume of annual and interim reviews by verifying household, income, expenses, and deductions; calculates Housing Assistance Payments (HAP); processes changes in HAP in a timely manner; notifies landlords and tenants; reviews and approves household composition changes.
• Documents changes in HAP, certifies payments, and balances changes for monthly and semi-monthly check runs.
• Coordinates with language interpreters to serve clients with Limited English Proficiency.
• Supports continuous improvement of operations, including decreasing turnaround times and streamlining work processes; collaborates with colleagues to provide seamless customer service.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, work plans, performance measures, and continuous improvement of service delivery to assist in attaining department initiatives and agency mission.

• Excellent verbal and written communication with a wide variety of audiences.
• Skill in reading, understanding, interpreting, and explaining complicated rules and regulations.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to work respectfully and courteously with other EHA employees, residents, landlords, and the public.
• Knowledge of effective conflict resolution strategies and ability to resolve disputes.
• Attention to detail and effective time management skills.
• Skill in managing, organizing, and completing a limited volume of tasks timely and efficiently.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment within organizational guidelines.
• English proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and following oral and written directions.
• Proficient use of personal computer and programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, and specialized software).
• Ability to perform basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and percentages.
• Knowledge of Federal and local housing, community service and supportive service programs.

Education: A high school diploma.

Experience: One (1) year of relevant paid work experience such as in property management, assisted housing, social services, or similar activity, or any equivalent combination of education, training and previous work experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

• Certification of the following (or…