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THE POSITION
This recruitment is being conducted to fill two full-time vacancies. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year.

This position exists to provide timely and accurate assistance to the Housing Authority of the City of Vallejo (HACV) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program participants in a manner that provides excellent customer service and meets HUD regulations and HACV policies. The incumbent in this position performs initial and ongoing eligibility determinations; inspect units prior to occupancy by HCV participants and while participants are residing in the units; conducts landlord outreach; monitors and determines local rental housing rates and negotiate rental agreements; conducts investigations; conducts new participant briefings; prepares and maintains technical and confidential documents; represents the City and the VHA in a positive and professional manner; and completes other housing-related tasks. This position may also serve as the HCV Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator.

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate a strong work ethic, communicate effectively, is customer service oriented, is able to work both independently and in a team environment, is a problem solver and critical thinker, respects and values others, and should understand the organization and operation of the City and outside agencies.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department manages programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Department is home to the Housing Authority of the City of Vallejo (HACV) which administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, and its subprograms. The HCD Department also coordinates the application and implementation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

The HCD Department also provides staff support to the Housing and Community Development Commission.

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 125,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs, and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium, and theme parks (driving distance to Napa Valley).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Housing Specialist II - This is the journey level class in the Housing Specialist series. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Housing Specialist I level or, when filled from the outside, by having prior experience. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Housing Specialist I by the performance of the full range of duties as described. Assignments are performed within a framework of established procedures and employees are expected to perform the full range of duties with only occasional instruction or assistance only as new or unusual situations arise. Employees in this class are distinguished from the Senior Housing Specialist class in that the latter is the advanced-journey and/or lead class. A Senior Housing Specialist, on a regular and recurring basis, provides lead direction to three or more lower level technical staff and/or performs the most complex and sensitive technical housing assistance duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff and may receive lead direction from a Senior Housing Specialist.

• Determine eligibility and continued eligibility of program participants; interview housing applicants; investigate and verify applicant and participant information; contact applicants and participants to clarify informational discrepancies; manage the applicant waiting lists.
• Inspect properties to determine compliance with the requirements of Section 8 rental assistance programs regarding housing quality and general conditions of safety and sanitation; advise property owners and tenants of maintenance needs; document repair requirements; conduct damage and move out inspections; counsel tenants, property owners and/or managers to avoid disputes; conduct follow up inspections of completed work and repairs.
• Perform regularly scheduled reexaminations of participants' financial situations to ensure continued eligibility; make appropriate rent adjustments.
• Counsel participants regarding portability, procedures for terminating the current rental agreements and other necessary requirements; research Section 8 availability in various areas; perform procedures for participants moving into the area from another Housing Authority jurisdiction.
• Interview and confer with realtors, property managers or owners, and others to negotiate total monthly rents; prepare and process Housing Assistance Payments Contracts, contract terminations, and amendments.
• Conduct individual and group briefing sessions and answer participants' questions.
• Prepare correspondence to various agencies, landlords, and businesses to verify applicant data.
• Perform technical clerical functions pertaining to occupancy eligibility; prepare briefing packets; investigate searches and locate sources of information; maintain landlord information data bases.
• Answer technical questions; prepare routine and confidential correspondence and reports.
• Operate and maintain special Housing and Urban Development (HUD) computer programs using word processing, spreadsheet and on-line computer programs.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Through effective communication, the Housing Specialist upholds department values of fairness, respect and collaboration. The Housing Specialist will:
• Conduct interviews with applicants, participants, property owners/managers, and other agencies in a way that gathers required information and accomplishes goals while showing respect for all concerned.
• Counsel participants and property owners and/or managers in a way that avoids or resolves disputes.
• Use a problem solving approach with participants, property owners and/or managers, fellow staff, and other departments or agencies toward resolving any issues that arise.
• Conduct individual and group briefing sessions that are announced with proper notice, are well-organized, contain up-to-date information, and encourage questions and discussion.
• Prepare and deliver written and electronic correspondence to participants, property owners, and various agencies and businesses that are written in proper business English and are clear, concise, and timely.
• Communicate verbally with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and those with disabilities in a way that engenders trust, assures understanding and promotes the individual's ability to comply with regulations. When necessary, arrange for interpretation for clients with limited English language proficiency.

Knowledge of:

• Techniques used to interview and counsel people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and those with disabilities
• Legal mandates, rules, regulations, local policies and plans relating to housing and occupancy eligibility procedures
• Operational procedures, policies, rules, regulations and legal provisions specific to the assignment
• Practices and procedures used in housing inspections
• Related codes and ordinances pertaining to public housing programs and enforced by the City and the Housing Authority

Ability to:

• Interpret legal mandates, policies, rules and regulations, and apply them to a variety of occupancy eligibility procedures
• Create and maintain a variety of filing systems such as alphabetical, numerical, subject matter, etc.; and prepare indices and cross reference files
• Interpret narrative information from tables, forms, and computerized documents
• Interview and counsel people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and those with disabilities
• Multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines under stressful conditions
• Negotiate rent agreements, contract terminations, and contract amendments

Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
One year of experience as a Housing Specialist I with the City of Vallejo, or one year of experience performing comparable duties in a housing services environment which required interaction with individuals from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and individuals with disabilities.

Training:
An Associate's Degree or certificate in business, management, social services, psychology or a field related to the intent of the class is desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license by appointment to the class. The driver's license must be maintained in good standing throughout employment in the Housing Specialist classification.

Possess, or obtain within one year from date of hire (at employer's expense), certifications from approved industry experts in the areas of Eligibility, Occupancy, and Housing Quality Standards.