Position Title: Housing Specialist lll
FLSA Status: Non-exempt                                    
Reports to: Assistant Director of Housing
Department: Housing                            
Job Type: Regular
Job Status: Full Time                                         
Grade: 39, Step: 1
Union: OPEIU                                         
Work Schedule: Regular Business Hours
  Amount of Travel: None       
Positions Supervised: None
Starting Pay Rate: $28.29 per hour
Closes: Open until filled with priority given to applications received by Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 5:00pm.

Are you looking for a place to work that really cares about our community and is committed to making a difference? Then the Bremerton Housing Authority is the place for you! Come join our team as a Housing Specialist lll.

At BHA our mission is to provide high quality, stable and sustainable housing and related services to people who have limited financial means. Our work is to help our clients to become economically self-sufficient, while at that same time strengthen communities. We use our public and private resources efficiently and effectively. It is our goal to do this all while helping our employees to grow both personally and professionally.

If you’re looking for a great benefit package, we have that as well!

• Accrue 150 hours of PTO in your first year
• Accrue up to 69 hours of Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays annually
• Telecommute Opportunities Available
• Medical & Vision Insurance -90% Employer Paid
• Dental Insurance- 100% Employer Paid
• Washington State Retirement
• Life Insurance
• Short -Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• And more!!

All new BHA employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the health and safety of the community we serve and our employees. Upon acceptance of an offer of employment, a prospective hire must submit a certificate of vaccination to the Human Resources Department. Individuals with a qualifying medical or religious reason may submit a request for exemption. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an accommodation.

Essential Function Summaries

• Manage a caseload that consists of several different types of housing programs and subsidy sources. Maintain thorough knowledge and application of federal, state and local policies, procedures, and regulations. Interpret and implement BHA policies and procedures in accordance with HUD rules and regulations. Provide guidance of changes or updates to Housing programs staff and update the BHA Housing Administrative Plan as needed.
• Issue HCV (tenant-based vouchers), project based vouchers, and all other special program vouchers, including reviewing file for accuracy and/or eligibility, coordinate portability moves with continued assistance, calculate rent and prepare addendums to HAP contract, and schedule and conduct orientation.
• At orientation, explain family obligations associated with certificate/voucher, calculation of rent, locating a unit and determining affordability, procedures for request for tenancy approval (RFTA), and the unit inspection process.
• Review tenant applicant files for BHA properties and calculate rent, etc. Perform annual and interim certification for tenants residing in BHA properties.
• Responsible for the project based leasing agreements. Receive and review applicant files, calculate participant rent and prepare the contract, track and process vacancy payment claims, communicate the obligations and rights of participants, and prepare addendums to HAP contract.
• Process HAP contracts, receive requests for tenancy approval (RFTA) from inspectors, set up unit in YARDI, add family info to unit in system, calculate rent, and write letters with rent information.
• Assist in developing, designing, and maintaining accurate statistical data and reports such as HAP/hold, Portability tracking, moves, new admissions, deceased tenant, income discrepancy, participant shopping, FSS escrow, occupancy reports, etc. Run routine reports on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis using software programs such as Excel, YARDI or EIV.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and application of federal, state and local policies, procedures, and regulations. Interpret and implement BHA policies and procedures in accordance with HUD rules and regulations. Provide guidance of changes or updates to Housing programs staff and update the BHA Housing Administrative Plan as needed.
• Help design, implement, and maintain processing procedures. Update desk manuals, processing tools, and/or training tools.
• Work on special projects relating to the housing department such as conducting research, analyzing rent increase trends, conducting landlord outreach, training tenants, etc.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for the Housing Specialists and be relied on for having extensive agency knowledge related to the housing department with an in-depth understanding of HCV, Project Based, Tax Credit, Public Housing, and/or a variety of other special housing programs.
• Train and mentor Housing Specialists and other housing department staff on processes and procedures and take a lead in process improving, collaborating, problem solving and team building.
• Back up other Housing Specialists, Housing Inspectors, front desk, and other positions in the department as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree (four-year college or technical school) Preferred, Field of Study: Business, Public Administration, Social Services, or related field.

Experience:

• 3 plus years of experience as a BHA Housing Specialist ll or 5 years or more as a BHA Housing Specialist l or 5 plus years’ experience in affordable housing.
• 6 plus years of experience in customer service.
• 6 plus years of experience in office experience with substantial writing and math tasks requiring attention to details.

Bremerton Housing Authority has the discretion to accept any other equivalent combination of education and experience when relevant.

Computer Skills:

Experienced user of Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Work, and Outlook.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, ten-key machines and fax machines.

Certifications & Licenses: Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certificate, Certified Occupancy Specialist Certificate (required for multifamily only).

Other Requirements:  Must pass background check indicative to the position requirements.

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Conflict Resolution - Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.
• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.
• Deductive Reasoning - Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.
• Presentation Skills - Ability to effectively present information publicly.
• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
• Project Management - Ability to organize and direct a project to completion.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
• Self Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of ones ability using his or her own drive or initiative.
• Team Builder - Ability to convince a group of people to work toward a goal.
• Technical Aptitude – HUD Affordable Housing Programs - Technical aptitude: Ability to comprehend complex technical knowledge and terminology of HUD affordable housing programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing and Low Income Tax Credit, and accurately follow applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  
This is primarily an office position. The employee primarily sits at a desk but has the opportunity to move about at will. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate various types of office equipment. The employee will occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

   N (Not Applicable)        Activity is not applicable to this position.

O  (Occasionally)           Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently)              Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly)              Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands