Rental Assistance Housing Specialist

The Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) is seeking a collaborative, community-minded Rental Assistance Housing Specialist to help Scott County residents attain and maintain safe, affordable housing.

In this role, you will combine person-centered case management with regulatory compliance to serve as a link between program participants, property owners, and community resources. Working within a supportive team, you will manage participant caseloads, navigate complex eligibility guidelines, and utilize proactive de-escalation strategies to help local families achieve long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.

 

• Manage the administration of rental assistance participant cases by managing waiting lists, conducting applicant assessments to determine eligibility, and performing all annual and interim recertifications and other applicable actions, including verifying information for rent recalculations, processing portability transfers for incoming and outgoing participants, and managing specialized contracts for local, state and federal programs as assigned.
• Operate rental assistance programs in accordance with agency policy, federal guidelines, and state laws. Within this regulatory framework, ensure program integrity by maintaining accurate digital and physical records and investigating suspected program fraud. Respond and follow agency grievance procedures related to participant complaints. When appropriate issue program violations, make recommendations for termination, and represent the agency in informal hearings.
• Communicate with property owners, landlords, and program participants to build productive professional relationships that ensure timely updates and notifications on client housing situations.
• Connect households with community resources—such as childcare, employment, and mental health supports—to promote long-term security, self-sufficiency, and proactive eviction prevention. 
• Support monthly accounting cycle and debt collection procedures.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Consistently demonstrate a commitment to the Scott County CDA’s core values—Collaboration, Equity, Innovation, and Attentiveness—while building strong professional relationships and working productively within a team to advance the CDA’s strategic goals and agency-wide initiatives.
• Provide excellent client service, which is responsive, considerate, and respects confidentiality while delivering quality public services and service experiences to clients. 
• Ability to apply a person-centered, stability-focused approach to case management; balancing the enforcement of program rules with an understanding of the complex challenges facing diverse and low-income populations. 
• Ability to use professional de-escalation and conflict resolution skills to maintain productive relationships and program integrity.
• Possess general knowledge of the principles, laws, and regulations pertaining to rental assistance programs, including federal/state guidelines for subsidized housing and real estate practices regarding lease agreements.
• Collect, interpret, and verify complex financial and household data to make accurate eligibility and rent determinations while maintaining thorough records.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills to explain complex regulations to participants and property owners and to represent the agency professionally with the public.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing federal and state regulations with limited supervision.
• Demonstrate proficiency in housing-specific software and data management systems to ensure the accurate tracking of program utilization and participant outcomes.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• One to three years’ experience in case management, housing program administration, or social services, particularly working with diverse and low-income populations. 
• Bilingual skills desirable.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license upon hire.
• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Specialist Certification required within six months of completing orientation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT, TRAVEL & HYBRID SCHEDULE:
This position operates on a hybrid work schedule, allowing eligible employees the opportunity to work remotely 1-2days per week (subject to supervisor approval and ongoing business needs). Non-remote days are based out of our main office in Shakopee, MN.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, and frequent repetitive motions associated with constant computer and keyboard use. It frequently requires standing and walking, and occasionally requires using hands to finger, handle, or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing, pulling, and lifting. Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas and hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles, and observing general surroundings and activities. While work is generally performed in a moderately noisy office setting, it requires rare visits to various residential properties for site visits where there is a risk of exposure to outdoor weather conditions and a rare exposure to blood-borne pathogens; in such instances, the employee may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment (PPE).

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Scott County CDA reserves the right to change key responsibilities and job duties at any time. This job description is not designed to cover every job requirement.

REVIEW & CLOSING DATE:
Applications received by August 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM will receive first consideration. Applications submitted after this date may be reviewed on an as-needed basis until the posting officially closes on August 19, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer