Choice Voucher Specialist

Overview

Description:

Open until filled.

Class

Title:

Housing Choice Voucher Specialist

Position Title:

Housing Choice Voucher Specialist

Accountable To:
Assistant Section 8 Programs Manager

Department:
Section 8

Band: B, Grade: 2, Subgrade: 4

The St. Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) has been serving the community for over 45 years. St. Paul PHA is an independent agency that owns and operates affordable rental housing for low-income families and individuals throughout the City, with subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The PHA provides approximately 4,273 affordable rental units in hi-rise buildings, townhomes, and scattered site single family and duplex homes.

The PHA administers 5,242 Housing Choice Vouchers, paying over 45 million annually in federal rent subsidies to private owners who rent units to eligible families and individuals with very low incomes.

Mission:
The PHA helps families and individuals with low incomes achieve greater stability and self-reliance by providing safe, affordable, quality housing and links to community services.

Employment Benefits:
The PHA offers a generous employee benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave; eleven paid designated holidays and two paid floating holidays; health and dental insurance coverage; and an employer pension contribution equal to 7% of the employee's salary (employee contributes 5%). Additional benefits vary by contract or Supervisory and Confidential (S&C) policies.

Position Summary: Incumbents are responsible for: maintaining waiting lists; responding to questions; explaining regulations and procedures to the general public, voucher participants and applicants; interviewing applicants and participants; sending out third party verification forms; determining if applicants meet eligibility requirements; determining if participants continue to meet eligibility requirements; tracking vouchers; calculating rent values and tenant payments; processing a variety of forms and documents;

and preparing related correspondence and reports.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Housing Choice Voucher Specialist is the first level of a three-level rental series. The incumbent is distinguished from the Assistant Section 8 Programs Manager by its responsibility for processing rental applications, conducting annual and interim recertifications of eligibility for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher participants, calculating rent values and tenant payments, and its non-supervisory duties.

• Maximize the utilization of vouchers throughout the Section 8 program by processing all related paperwork for applicants and/or participants for assistance in St. Paul in accordance with HUD regulations and PHA policies.
• Take appropriate action for families utilizing the portability feature of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
• Process interim reexaminations, including rent increases and tenant-reported changes, in a timely manner.
• Process voucher terminations and/or cancellations consistently and in compliance with applicable HUD regulations and established PHA policies.
• Respond to inquiries from participants, landlords, general public or staff via phone, e-mail or written correspondence regarding the Section 8 program or established procedures in a prompt, courteous and professional manner.
• Abide by all Board-approved policies, including non-discrimination and harassment policies, and safety procedures established by the PHA.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
• Maximize voucher utilization by complying with HUD regulations and established PHA policies for program admission. Determine program eligibility through interviews and verification of income, household composition and criminal history. Conduct mandatory briefings for all eligible adults and inform applicants and participants of basic program rules and regulations. This applies for waitlist, special programs; PBV and portability, with variable performance standards.
• Process all files accurately and timely according to separate performance standards for Waitlist, Special Programs, and Portability. This applies for waitlist, special programs; PBV and portability, with variable performance standards.
• Maintain current and accurate waiting lists/records for all vouchers/units according to separate performance standards for Waitlist, Special Programs, and Portability. This applies for waitlist, special programs; PBV and portability, with variable performance standards.
• Determine continued program eligibility of voucher participants on an annual basis through interviews with follow-up on verification of income and household composition. Process related paperwork to continue assistance in St. Paul in accordance with HUD regulations and PHA policies. Maximize PHA operating income through collection efforts and proper implementation of HUD regulations regarding balances. Ensure participant awareness and continued compliance with…