Family Self Sufficiency Specialist

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Specialist (FSS)

The Housing and Community Development Department is looking for a Family Self-Sufficiency Program Specialist (FSS). Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a voluntary resource and incentive savings program designed to help Section 8 families ease off of government subsidies and transition into a life of social and economic independence and self-sufficiency. It involves the Head of Household signing a contract with the Housing Authority and dedicating themselves to working toward the completion of specific goals.

The ideal candidate will have journey-level experience in case management, interviewing and determining Section 8 eligibility of applicants: experience in the implementation of government rental subsidy and other affordable housing and/or leasing programs. Bilingual competency in Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic or Korean is desired but not required.

Below are the main duties of a Family Self-Sufficiency Program Specialist (FSS). You can review the full job description by clicking on this link.

• Assist in developing and implementing marketing and outreach strategies, including informational workshops, for the FSS Program. Conduct outreach to ensure Section 8 program participants are aware of the FSS program.
• Interview clients; evaluate client needs; and establish Section 8 eligibility by gathering required documentation for the FSS Program; negotiate and establish FSS contracts with clients; monitor compliance of FSS contracts executed between clients and Housing Authority.
• Establish relationship with clients and monitor client progress toward goals established in FSS contract; re-assess needs on an annual basis; arrange client services with service providers; and actively seek new resources to assist FSS families.
• Inspect housing units for compliance with local and/or federal Housing Quality Standards. Re-inspect units and re-determine eligibility of Section 8 clients on an annual basis or when requested by landlord or client.
• Negotiate rents with landlords; prepare necessary contract documents for lease-up of Section 8 clients.
• Initiate termination of clients from the Family Self-Sufficiency and/or Section 8 Programs.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Journey-level experience in case management and interviewing and determining Section 8 eligibility of applicants; experience in the implementation of government rental subsidy and other affordable housing and/or leasing programs. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Government housing (Section 8 and Family Self-Sufficiency) rules and regulations; case management; effective interviewing techniques and practices; record keeping techniques; negotiation techniques; available programs and services for Family Self-Sufficiency; and rental unit inspection standards; government rental subsidy and other affordable housing and/or leasing programs.

Interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures; arrange for client services with service providers; deal diplomatically with applicants and housing resource persons and resolve significant issues; conduct needs assessment; effectively counsel clients and evaluate needs and program eligibility; organize and manage records; effectively manage a large case load; inspect rental units; make judgments based upon program standards; negotiate rents with landlords;

negotiate and prepare contracts; work effectively with people from different backgrounds (socio-economic, racial, religious, cultural, ethnic); organize and prioritize work and follow-through with minimal supervision; use a computer and associated software packages; prepare clear, concise written reports with sound recommendations; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand, interpret and explain housing programs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License…