Housing Specialist I

Housing Specialist I

Salary

$68,052.00 - $91,224.00 Annually

Location

Oceanside, CA, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2627-31

Department

Housing and Neighborhood Services

Opening Date

09/03/2026

Closing Date

9/25/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Introduction

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Application Deadline: 4:00pm, Friday, 09/25/2026

Test Dates:Oral Board Exam - Wednesday, 10/07/2026

Selection Interview - Tuesday, 10/13/2026

Candidates MUST pass the Oral Board Exam in order to be placed on the Eligibility List.

Exam dates are posted as a courtesy and may be subject to change and/or cancellation.

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for current and future vacancies for the position of Housing Specialist I. There is currently one vacancy in the Housing and Neighborhood Services Departments Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The Neighborhood Services Departments mission is to promote healthy neighborhoods by providing services to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Oceanside and serve as a change agent in building strong families and safe communities through people, housing, and programs.

The Neighborhood Services Department offers a wide variety of programs and services that strengthen community image, neighborhood safety and security, support economic development and environmental resources, promote health, wellness and recreation, foster human development and increase cultural unity and community problem solving for all ages.

The ideal candidate can efficiently and accurately manage a high-volume caseload while adapting to frequent organizational changes. They bring strong organizational skills, provide empathetic, hands-on support to clients, make timely and appropriate referrals, meet federal, state and local deadlines and support their clients.

If you are looking for an opportunity to serve your community and have a passion for making a difference in other peoples lives, this is the opportunity for you.

Examples of Duties

Serves as case manager for assigned caseload including monitoring 30 day notices, conducting move appointments, monitoring and calculating rent increases given by owner, completing new contracts and leases, and calculating files to determine tenant and housing portion of rent; processes applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program; conducts interviews with applicants to obtain information to determine eligibility; verifies income, family composition, and related information obtained in interviews through third party verification or other means; performs and verifies computations; sets up and maintains files and/or filing systems for Housing Choice Voucher Program eligibility; compiles and updates eligible lists for assistance; issues vouchers and briefs applicants on programs; assists clients in locating suitable housing; negotiates contract rents with owners and verifies rent reasonableness; mediates a variety of tenant/landlord disputes; conducts a variety of inspections including new move-ins, annual recertifications, Housing Quality Standards, and damage inspections; generates and compiles monthly list of annual recertifications; schedules inspections and monitors all third party verifications; inputs information into computer for all family income composition changes, annual recertifications, new lease-ups, and current tenant moves; participates in conducting fraud investigations; participates in the process to terminate assistance; prepares informal hearings; completes a variety of forms; conducts surveys; prepares statistical reports; performs outreach activities to increase landlord participation in housing programs; performs tenant/landlord counseling; provides referrals to clients and the public to appropriate community resources; disseminates information on various housing programs; maintains knowledge of programs and related regulations and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of housing programs.
• Interviewing and investigation techniques.
• Methods and techniques to verify information received from applicants.
• Methods and techniques of conflict resolution and mediation procedures.
• Community resources available to low income clients.
• Housing Quality Inspection techniques.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations governing housing programs.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Mathematical principles.

Ability to:

• Interpret and explain program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to applicants.
• Serve as a liaison in tenant/landlord relations.
• Negotiate contracts, leases, and rental agreements with landlords.
• Conduct health and safety inspections.
• Analyze and draw logical conclusions from data.
• Maintain and update accurate records and files.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Represent the department at outreach activities.

Experience: Two years of experience in housing assistance programs, social services programs for low income households, tenant/landlord relations, property management, real estate accounting, loan application review, or a related field.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in housing programs or a related field.

License/Certificate: Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, an appropriate, valid California drivers license.

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions: Office/field environments; travel from site to site; exposure to computer screens and inclement weather conditions; may work or inspect in confined spaces; extensive public contact; occasional exposure to contagious diseases and unsanitary conditions when conducting inspection of dwellings.

Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling or crawling for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret information.

Selection Process: All properly completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application material will result in disqualification from the selection process. The selection process may include any combination of a written exam, oral interview, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.

RESUMES ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION PACKAGE.

THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Oceanside City Employees Association

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits

Retirement

Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of PEPRA in regard to retirement benefits. Each individuals benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit prior to membership
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical/Vision: (First of the month following 60 days)

• Kaiser plan provided through Teamster Medical Trust. For more information please contact #877-214-8928

Dental: (First of the Month following hire)

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City.

Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life and AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.

Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,400
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000

MetLife Legal Plan

• Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year

Leave Benefits

Vacation:

1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours

6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours

11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours

16 + years: 8.19

Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year

Sick Leave:

Accrual: 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited

Annual Sick Leave Pay Off:

Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 50% payment in lieu of accrued sick leave provided such employee has used 3 work days (maximum of 36 hours) or less of sick leave during the calendar year and has a minimum of 100 hours in their sick leave bank prior to the cash out request.

Sick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employees immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Certification Pay

The City will provide certification pay up to $1.00 per hour for employees utilizing designated certifications in the performance of their duties.

Bilingual and Notary Pay

Bilingual: $1.73 per hour for eligible employees

Notary: $.58 per hour for eligible employees

Uniforms

The City will provide uniforms for any employee required by the City to wear such uniform in the course of their regular job duties.

Commercial Driver License

The City will reimburse the application cost of Commercial Class A or B Driver License to full-time employees in certain classifications.

Safety Shoes

The City will provide reimbursement up to $200 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.

Term of Compensation Plan

Effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026

This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.

01

Do you possess two years of experience in housing assistance programs, social services programs for low income households, tenant/landlord relations, property management, real estate accounting, loan application review, or a related field and possess high school diploma or equivalent? If NO, you do not qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you possess in housing assistance programs, social services programs for low income households, tenant/landlord relations, property management, real estate accounting, loan application review?

• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 + years
• None of the above

03

How many years of experience do you possess providing information, explaining guidelines, regulations regarding a housing or similar program?

• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• None of the above

04

Select which areas you have 2 or more years of work experience in:

• Social service programs
• Tenant/landlord relations
• Property management
• Real estate accounting
• Loan application processing/servicing
• Construction management
• Grant funds compliance
• Housing Assistance Programs
• Section 8 experience
• None of the above

05

Describe the types of housing programs (i.e. affordable housing, residential rehabilitative housing, Housing Assistance Programs, and/or Mobile Home improvement programs, etc.) with which you have worked. Please include your level of responsibility and caseload volume.

06

Describe your experience, training and/or familiarity working with Section 8 Rental Assistance Programs (Housing Choice Voucher Program-HCVP), Affordable Housing or rent control projects. Include employer name, dates of employment, length of time in assignment, and your level of responsibility in the position.

07

Describe your experience working with economically disadvantaged families. Include the employer(s) where experience was gained, length of time in assignment/years of experience, and level of responsibility in the position.

08

Describe your experience managing an ongoing caseload, including evaluating eligibility on a periodic basis. Provide the list of duties involved and the number of years of experience with managing caseload.

09

Current/former Section 8 Experience

• 3 - 6 months
• 7 months - 1 year
• 1.5 - 3 years
• 3+ years
• None

10

CERTIFICATE OF APPLICANT: I certify that all statements and information provided in this application and any attachments are true, and I understand that any false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts may forfeit right to employment considerations by the City of Oceanside.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Oceanside

Address 300 North Coast Highway, City Hall South

Oceanside, California, 92054

Phone 760-435-3511

Website http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us