Occupancy Specialist

Position Summary

The Occupancy Specialist is responsible for intake and eligibility of applicants and voucher management. He/She performs a variety of duties administering the Housing Choice Voucher Program. These duties include (but are not limited to): coordination of and conducting client interviews, briefings or other methods for intake; determinations of eligibility and program compliance; calculation of housing subsidy; voucher issuance and extensions; employment verification; inbound portability; waiting list administration and prompt completion of all data processing. The Occupancy Specialist performs all screening due diligence necessary for HADC to enter into a contract to make Housing Assistance Payments to an eligible landlord on behalf of an eligible Housing Choice Voucher Program participant. Responsible for all functions related to the HAP Contracting process including reviewing and processing Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts, and review of leases.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential functions for this position relate to the responsibility of oversight of accounting functions of assigned properties, companies, and personnel including but not limited to:

• Calculates HUD-required rental contribution from eligible tenant families and the amount of the monthly Authority housing assistance to the owner in accordance with HUD requirements for a tenancy under the voucher program.

• Prepares HAP contract and ensures execution and processing in a timely manner to ensure timely monthly owner/manager payments. Ensures timely processing/mailing of utility allowance payments.

• Reviews landlord/owner leases for compliance with program and statutory requirements. Ensures appropriate voucher forms are processed in a timely manner.
• Responsible for accurate document management process for all assigned controlled documents.

• Updates landlord information and makes other appropriate changes in system information in a timely and accurate manner.

• Provides excellent direct customer service to all Participant and Landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program; responds to inquiries and requests from participants, landlords and the general public.

• Collects, reviews and processes data specific to assigned functions within required timelines; calculates tenant rents and housing assistance payments in accordance with established operational procedures.

• Interfaces directly with program participants and/or property owners as needed to conduct interviews; collects paperwork and resolves issues, complaints or problems.

• Documents all tasks completed in the appropriate participant file in computer system; maintains hard documentation for all transactions in a neat and organized manner in accordance with established file requirements.

• Responsible for timely and accurate follow-ups to complete tasks; opens, reviews and acts upon all mail received within established timelines; utilizes only agency approved forms, letters and correspondence; assures that all correspondence issued is the correct and most recent version.

• Prepares appropriate correspondence and required forms and maintains files in a timely and accurate manner.

• Accountable for consistent adherence to strong Authority standards regarding the ethical, responsible, and appropriate use, care, and safeguarding of Authority materials, supplies, resources, and other assets.

• Performs other duties as required including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise balance the workload.