Eligibility Specialist; Part Time

Under direct supervision of the Director/Compliance Supervisor, this position performs administrative duties to determine eligibility for housing assistance and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs in accordance with established Waterloo Housing Authority (WHA) policies and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. The incumbent is responsible for conducting waitlist eligibility interviews and sending out notices, reports, and correspondence as required. Including the ability to perform subsequent actions such as calculation of rent and average wages.

The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work performed.

• Ability to obtain income information to perform rent calculations.
• Assist with the formulation and implementation of moving the office to paperless files and maintain a paperless file integrity system.
• Conduct program eligibility interviews for waitlist persons tentatively eligible for admission to public housing and/or Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs.
• Explain WHA program requirements and answer questions about policies, rules, regulations, and procedures in accordance with HUD and Housing Authority standards.
• Assess HCV clients’ preliminary applications and files; research information that verifies family composition, income, credit history, criminal history, and other factors affecting eligibility;
• Enter required applicant information on intake forms; calculate income, determine eligibility, and calculate rent in an accurate and timely manner.
• Process public housing applications; maintain files on applicants; reply to inquiries by telephone and mail regarding status of applications; update wait-lists.
• Create and send out notices, reports, and correspondence as instructed by the Housing Authority Director.
• Establish and maintain completed files to increase assigned cases to housing coordinators and meet production guidelines.
• Withdraw incomplete files and send out withdrawal notices in accordance with Housing Authority policy and procedures.
• Update and verify applicant data in computer system/client management system monthly;
• Organize and distribute caseload files and records evenly; maintain file accuracy and confidentiality by adhering to policies and procedures.
• Monitor and correct application and program documentation files; contact applicants to discuss and clarify informational discrepancies and assure effective communication of issues in accordance with Housing Authority policy and procedures.
• Process background checks, compile legal documents, confirm wait-list order to update client’s status; access and locate information as required to ensure accurate processing of applications.
• Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, or other applicable software, and prepares letters, reports, and documents related to Waterloo Housing Authority.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Ability to perform math accurately to compute rent and income calculations.
• Ability to conduct probing interviews to gain necessary client intake data to complete applications.
• Ability to verify clients’ information and assist them with accessing available services.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with clients, co-workers, supervisors and directors.
• Knowledge of preparing reports, maintaining files and typing a variety of material.
• Thorough knowledge of secretarial functions, terminology, office procedures and equipment, especially computers.
• Ability to answer questions and provide information to the public and co-workers in-person, by email and over the telephone in a clear, concise and easily understandable manner;
• Ability to de-escalate complaints from program…