Housing Choice Voucher Specialist

The Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) serves the housing and community development needs of the twenty-six towns of Franklin County, Massachusetts. We work with residents to successfully access a wide variety of housing resources. We also work with the municipalities of Franklin County to apply for and administer grant funding for various infrastructure and community development projects.

Position Overview: The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Specialist works directly with tenants and landlords participating in the subsidized rental housing programs administered by HRA.  Duties include tenant intake and outreach, briefing new program participants, annual recertification of tenant eligibility and assisting tenants and landlords with program guidelines. 

Job Class: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week); Non-exempt 

Supervision Received: The HCV Specialist works directly under the supervision of the Director of Leased Housing. 

Supervision Given: None 

Salary: $20 - 21 per hour

Principal Duties:

• Program Administration: Administer federally issued Housing Choice Vouchers and/or state-issued MRVP vouchers as assigned in compliance with all applicable federal and/or state regulations and HRA's administrative plan and policies. 
• Become and remain familiar with laws, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to state and federally funded rental assistance programs administered by HRA.
• Conduct tenant intake and outreach, including but not limited to answering inquiries, explaining the program(s) and waiting list, and assisting people in completing applications when necessary.
• Communicate with landlords and explain program to prospective owner participants, including but not limited to such topics as security deposit policy, procedures for damage, vacancy loss and unpaid rent claims. 
• Other duties as assigned or necessary to carry out the functions of the programs. 

General Responsibilities:

• HRA is a public agency operating for the benefit of all citizens. Personnel shall conduct themselves in a manner respectful of all clients and shall adhere to HRA's mission and goals. Personnel shall act in such a way as to create a positive image of the Agency. 
• Personnel will act in a professional manner while relating to HRA staff, clients and business contacts seeking to resolve differences or complaints through appropriate agency procedures. 
• All personnel are responsible for adherence to HRA personnel policies, including the prevention of conflict of interest, misuse of funds, or abuse of trust and are responsible for reporting known misconduct to an Executive officer. 
• All personnel shall respect the legal and moral rights and privacy of confidential information due to all clients and are responsible for upholding HRA's affirmative action policies. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and/or access to reliable transportation. 
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, with particular attention to Word and Excel, and the ability to learn new computer programs with ease. 

General Qualifications: 

• Excellent organizational skills and attentiveness to detail. 
• Initiative, ability, and judgment to work independently and set priorities for work. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and consistently, both orally and in writing. 
• Skill with and knowledge of standard office equipment including but not limited to computers, telephone systems, photocopiers, calculators, and scanners, etc. 
• Ability to make moderately complex arithmetical computations. 
• Spanish language and American Sign Language skills a plus.
• Ability to work closely and cooperatively with co-workers, clients, landlords, and external service providers.  Skills in negotiating conflicts and resolving disputes. 
• Sensitivity to the challenges faced by people with low incomes, persons with disabilities and elders.