Housing Specialist

Under general supervision, the Housing Specialist coordinates, administers, and supports a variety of City housing programs, services, and initiatives. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, implementation and administration of rent stabilization and rental housing programs; rental and housing assistance programs; residential rehabilitation and homeownership assistance programs; and housing and homelessness prevention and response initiatives.

The Housing Specialist coordinates with consultants, contractors, property owners, tenants, community organizations, governmental agencies, and service providers to support effective program implementation and connect residents with available housing and supportive services. The position also assists with community outreach and education, including workshops, public information materials, social media, and other methods of communicating program requirements, resources, and services to the public.

The Housing Specialist may also assist with program compliance, application and eligibility review, recordkeeping, data tracking, reporting, grant-funded activities, and other housing-related programs and initiatives as assigned.As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodation will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Plan and prioritize the services and activities of assigned programs within the Housing Division, including tenant / landlord assistance programs, rental assistance program, Cal Home grant for first-time home buyer and housing rehabilitation assistance; duties will include being the liaison between the City’s grant consultant, other resource agencies such as Stay Housed LA and the Los Angeles County Development Authority(LACDA), and the public to ensure the public is receiving every opportunity to connect and receive available housing resources (e.g. Program Development and Grant Administration (PLHA, CDBG, LACAHSA, etc..)

• Represents the City at meetings with community-based organizations, other County departments, regional housing efforts and small businesses providing housing and supportive housing (e.g. Maintain collaborative community partnerships (DHS, HSH, SCHARP, LAHSA, etc.)

• Plan, develop, coordinate, manage, and evaluate housing services, events and workshops, and programs relating to eviction defense activities, these include but are not limited to programs relating to basic needs such as food, housing, and jobs, resource workshops such as renters’ rights, eviction information, and financial literacy workshops. 
• Provide on-going support and assistance to county case managers. 
• Prepare and provide information on low-cost utility services and programs.
• Establish schedules and methods for providing assigned services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Develop procedures for new programs; develop and receive approval for policies and procedures to implement federal regulations and new programs; participate in development of new policies and procedures to improve service delivery.
• Provide information and resolve problems with applicants, tenants, owners, and the public as needed; coordinate and participate in the preparation of newsletters and outreach material.
• Participate in the selection of assigned staff, including consultants; provide or coordinate staff training as applicable; identify and bring in consultants to conduct quality control audits of tenant files to ensure accuracy of staff’s work.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of the assigned program budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.
• Monitor program compliance with federal law and regulations; monitor application procedures and processes; recommend revisions to City ordinances related to housing assistance; analyze and implement federal, state, and local guidelines related to a future Section 8 Housing Program if the City were to create a Housing Authority.
• Perform other related duties as required. 

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
 
Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices used in housing assistance programs (e.g. community based social services); 
• Case management techniques (e.g. income and asset verification requirements);
• Needs assessment principles and techniques; 
• Counseling techniques; interviewing techniques; 
• Fraud prevention strategies; 
• Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration (e.g. grant administration and program development); 
• Principles and procedures of record keeping; 
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation; 
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases as well as specialized housing systems;
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations (e.g. ordinance interpretation and enforcement).

 
Ability to:   

• Understand the organization and operation of the organization and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; 
• Apply housing assistance program knowledge in the assessment of service delivery, including development of policies and procedures to improve and streamline service delivery (e.g. tenant/owner relations and conflict resolution); 
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; 
• Prepare clear and concise reports; participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets; 
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; 
• Effectively represent the Community Development Department/Housing Division to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit; 
• Work cooperatively with other departments, government officials, and outside agencies; 
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility; diffuse or intervene in threatening and emergency situations; 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and/or Experience:

Any combination of equivalent education, training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 
 
Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by college-level coursework or specialized training in public administration, social services, housing, or a related field; and at least one year of responsible experience in housing assistance, housing programs, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social services, or a related field is highly desirable. Proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable.

Licensing/Certification Requirements: 
 
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions on a case-by-case basis.  
 
While performing the duties of this classification, an incumbent is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel.  The employee is frequently required to talk, hear, and to sit and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.