HCVP - Eligibility Specialist

Reports To: Supervising Staff

Department: Section 8

Salary Grade: 9

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Union: Local 1303

Date Adopted:

Revision Dates: August 10, 2009, July 2, 2013

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for interviewing tenants, verifying income and determining eligibility for the Section 8 Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Ensures timely completion and documentation of annual recertifications, interim certifications, client moves, eligibility, lease-ups and terminations. Coordinates inspection processing.
• Determines eligibility, calculates income allowances, assets and rents.
• Documents family composition, citizenship status, income, age, identity, assets and other information as required.
• Processes requests for tenancy approval submitted by voucher holders.
• Conducts briefings and issues vouchers.
• Coordinates activities with supervisor, inspectors and other team members.
• Obtains current, third party verification in accordance with program requirements and procedures, including use of Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) information.
• Issues vouchers for households moving or relocating and families porting-in and porting-out.
• Monitors participant moves and lease terminations.
• Coordinates schedules for recertifications.
• Collects recertification information including income and household changes.
• Notifies clients and owners of the results of annual recertifications.
• Reviews data and makes corrections on Public and Indian Housing Information Center (PIC) and calculates new Total Tenant Payments (TTP) and recertification payments into property management database software system.
• Provides data for a variety of reports.
• Maintains participant files to ensure completeness of required documentation and verifications.
• May be required to perform other related duties as required and/or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Program requirements.
• Extensive ability to effectively communicate program requirements to participants and communicate effectively with tenants and building owners.
• Thorough understanding of a complex rent subsidy program and the ability to translate this program to the public.
• Strong judgment, reasoning, time management and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and math abilities.
• Good interviewing techniques.
• Excellent ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with employees, customers, vendors, and tenants.
• Good ability to interpret and communicate complex and changing federal policies and regulations.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong typing and data entry skills.
• Good knowledge of general office and administrative procedures and the ability to calculate rental utility allowances with speed and accuracy.
• Good knowledge of all office equipment, including a PC, telephone, voice-mail system, fax machine, copier, calculator, etc.
• Thorough ability to respect privacy and confidentiality of client interviews, information and files.
• Strong ability to prioritize.
• Strong ability to handle multiple tasks quickly and accurately.
• Outstanding ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Strong ability to work with minimal supervision.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Minimum Education/Experience Requirements:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management, Social Services or a related discipline is mandatory. A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. In addition, a minimum of three years of experience in an office or other environment requiring extensive public contact or customer service such as public or assisted housing, public administration, government or community agency. Accounting, interviewing and direct customer interfacing experience a plus. Fluent in English. Spanish, Creole or other foreign language skills preferred.

or

Graduation from an accredited high school. In addition, a minimum of five years of experience in an office or other environment requiring extensive public contact or customer service such as public or assisted housing, public administration, government or community agency. Accounting, interviewing and direct customer interfacing experience a plus. Fluent in English. Spanish, Creole or other foreign language skills preferred.

Additional Requirements:

Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook proficiency. An exam will be administered which will assess competency level. Currently certified in Section 8 Occupancy and Rent Calculations or be certified within six months of hire date/transfer. A current driver’s license and the ability to maintain a current license. Pass a pre-employment physical, drug screening, educational background check and criminal investigation.

Physical Requirements:

Provided under separate cover.

This position description lists the most significant duties of this role. However, this description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. Although it is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, duties may be added, deleted, or modified as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.