Housing Specialist III

Full Job Description

The Housing Authority of the County of Riverside is seeking a Housing Specialist III to support the Special Programs Unit in the Indio location.

The Housing Specialist III will support the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program by overseeing key program functions such as reporting, billing, staff support, program management, and regulatory compliance.

The incumbent will manage core functions such as the full grant application cycle, budget development, procurement activities including Requests for Proposal (RFP) process, subcontractor oversight, monthly and quarterly billing, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) reporting, and coordination of the multi-year needs assessment process.

Additionally, the incumbent will be overseeing the work of Housing Specialists I/II and will be stepping into case management assistance, re-certification reviews, and more complex cases as needed.

This role requires occasional travel throughout Riverside County for housing quality inspections, on-site case management, transporting clients to and from services, and coordinating paperwork with clients and their families.

This role will require driving to the Riverside office 2 days a week for the first year of employment for training purposes. A county vehicle will be provided.

The most competitive candidates will possess previous working experience with social service programs geared towards the HIV+ community, especially in permanent support housing.

Additionally, experience in grant writing, social service program administration and regulatory compliance, and case management is highly desired.

Meet the Team!

The Housing and Workforce Solutions Department (HWS) is comprised of 6 Divisions: Community Action Agency, Continuum of Care, Housing Authority, Grants & Community Development, Workforce Development, and HWS Administration.

The Housing Authority of the County of Riverside (HACR) is a public agency chartered by the State of California to administer the development, rehabilitation or financing of affordable housing programs. The mission of the Housing Authority is to transform and promote healthy, thriving communities, re-ignite hope and restore human dignity through the creation and preservation of high quality and innovative housing and community development programs which enhance the quality of life and revitalize neighborhoods to foster self-sufficiency. The Housing Authority has been serving Riverside County since 1942.

Requirements

• Participate in the planning, monitoring, prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of staff responsible for providing contracted assistance under various programs available to County residents through the HWS Department.

• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish contract goals or schedules and methods for providing assistance and related assisted program activities and services; monitor outcomes for contract vendors; implement policies and procedures.

• Review caseload files or contract services for quality control; monitor workflow.

• Perform inspections of residence/housing units as required; develop service quality improvement initiatives; implement and monitor outcomes.

• Review and prepare various reports on matters related to program operations and activities.

• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.

HOUSING AND WORKFORCE SOLUTION
(In addition to the general essential duties listed above, incumbents assigned to HWS):

• Provide oversight and technical and functional supervision to staff responsible for providing assistance to County residents under HUD Section 8 and related assisted housing programs including field inspections, tenant/owner relations and eligibility determination; ensure compliance with applicable requirements and standards, including but not limited to, HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

• Provide or coordinate training for staff and department employees; provide technical consultation with licensed operators as needed.

• Assist the program supervisor in responding to inquiries related to Section 8 and other assisted housing programs; respond to and resolve difficult tenant and property owner complaints and public inquiries.

• Conduct informal reviews of tenants that have been terminated; process damage claims by property owners.

• Conduct briefings and provide program information under Section 8 and related assisted housing programs to clients and property owners.

• Negotiate rent agreements with property owners and tenants; monitor contracts; collect delinquent overpayments from tenants or property owners.

CAP WEATHERIZATION
(In addition to the general essential duties listed above, incumbents assigned to CAP):

• Provide oversight, technical and functional supervision to staff; schedule and oversee daily activities of skilled trade workforce; train staff on program requirements.

• Review plans for compliance with mechanical, plumbing, and accessibility for Single Family homes and mobile homes codes; act as subject matter expert for skilled trade workforce and customers.

• Review and approve files and work orders; determine whether proposed structures conform to accepted standards regarding type of construction, and specified construction materials.

• Conduct quality review of staffs and subcontractors’ workmanship; perform complex, specialized inspection for compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, codes, regulations, policies, or ordinances.

• Respond to audit questions for compliance with program requirements.

• Perform skilled trade work and provide coverage as needed.

• Address and resolve customer’s complaints; explain regulations and program requirements to property owners, contractors, and customers regarding necessary plans and information needed.

Qualifications

OPTION IEducation: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D.

test, supplemented by additional course work in social science or a closely related field to the assignment.

(A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field to the assignment may substitute for one year of the required experience.)Experience: Two years equivalent to a Housing Specialist II with the County of Riverside.OPTION IIEducation: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D.

test, supplemented by additional course work in social science or a closely related field to the assignment.

(A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field to the assignment may substitute for one year of the required experience.)Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible experience in providing services and assistance to clients under various federal and state housing assistance programs.

OPTION IIIEducation: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D.

test, supplemented by additional course work in social science or a closely related field to the assignment.

(A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field to the assignment may substitute for one year of the required experience.)Experience: Three years of full-time experience in general construction or trade work in carpentry, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), electrical, or closely related field.ALL OPTIONSKnowledge of: Principles of lead supervision and training; HUD HQS; Housing Authority Section 8 and related assisted housing programs, policies and procedures; pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; operations, services and activities in providing housing assistance to low-income persons under Section 8 and related assisted housing programs; safety and health standards; general construction and building inspection; energy efficiency measures; interview techniques; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment; principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation; principles and procedures of record-keeping.Ability to: Organize and review the work of technical and clerical personnel; lead and train assigned staff; interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; identify and respond to program participants and public issues and concerns; gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion; perform housing inspections, determine needed repairs and estimate cost of repairs; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action necessary to resolve complaints; identify and respond to staff, tenants and property owner needs and requests; work effectively with people from a variety of social, economic and racial backgrounds; work independently in the absence of supervision; perform accurate mathematical calculations; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including departmental staff, program participants and the general public.

License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California Driver's License. Employees must maintain a driving record that meets the insurability requirement of the Housing Authority's carrier.

Additional Information