Occupancy Specialist I - Waitlist (Personal Services)

The Occupancy Specialist I - Waitlist role is represented by the AFSCME union and starting pay is $20.97/hour. This position is eligible for step pay increases and potential progression increases. The top end of the current progression increases for this position is $24.05/hour. Please reference AFSCME's collective bargaining agreement located at: http://www.a2gov.org/departments/Human-Resources/Pages/Compensation-and-Contracts.aspx

Job progressions serve as a way for union employees to demonstrate additional technical competencies, knowledge and skills to enhance their benefit to the City.  The progression allows employees to enhance their job responsibilities and pay through demonstration of increased competencies.

Benefits offered with this position include:

Duties

Duties are performed under the direct supervision of the Manager or designee and may include the following:

Essential Duties

• Conducts income certifications by collecting and analyzing documentation, interviewing participants, entering data and drawing conclusions based on applicable Federal, State and other funder Guidelines
• Corresponds with third parties such as employers, financial institutions, and mainstream benefit providers in order to verify participant information
• Calculates the participants Total Tenant Payment (rent & utilities) based on their household characteristics and sources of income
• Determine utility allowances and rent reasonableness for apartments
• Completes annual EIV security training
• Complies with Fair Housing Laws
• Verifies data to ensure quality control in EIV and PIC related to participants
• Mediates, resolves tenant disputes pertaining to tenant rent, size, composition changes or any other tenant disputes based on program requirements
• Enter data into Yardi and complete 50058 submissions
• Investigates cases for fraud, documents those cases, utilizes multiple computer databases to retrieve and submits information regarding tenant status
• Implements updates of policies related to local, State, and Federal laws and regulations.
• Attends grievance hearings to provide documentation as applicable
• Coordinate with Finance Department to process payments correctly

TRACK 2: WAITLIST Processes Voucher Portability request into AAHC programs

• Complies with LIHTC, FHLB, CDBG, HOME, RAD PBV and any other funder requirements
• Manages all waitlists for the AAHC
• Coordinates with services providers to assist applicants with paperwork as needed
• Updates applicants information for waitlist
• Determine applicant eligibility and conducts voucher briefings with applicants
• Coordinates with private landlords to execute HAP contracts and RTA's, complete apartment inspections and approve apartments for tenant's to lease-up
• Ensures correct payment standards and utility allowances are utilized
• Shows different types of AAHC apartments weekly at multiple locations within the City of Ann Arbor to prospective tenants using a City vehicle
• Executes leases with new tenants and informs tenants of program rules, property features and tenant expectations

Related Work

• Refers tenants to Social Services and other community resources and agencies for additional assistance
• Performs duties related to case retrievals for review and examination
• Perform related work as assigned

Knowledge of: (position requirements at entry)

• HUD regulations related to multiple voucher programs
• LIHTC and other affordable housing programs
• SEMAP indicators as prescribed by HUD
• Fair Housing, Section 504, and reasonable accommodation requirements
• Public or Private property management including landlord/tenant law
• Human relations, cultural diversity
• Standard office procedures
• Basic office software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Basic mathematics

Skills and Ability to:(position requirements at entry)

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all tenant records
• Demonstrate clear, concise verbal and written communication
• Demonstrate well-developed organizational and time management skills
• Service low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals
• Communicate tactfully and positively with the public and employees
• Problem solve
• Use and understand office information technology
• Coordinate multiple duties

Equipment

Standard office equipment, PC, Fax, Copier, Calculator, Multi-line telephones, and other miscellaneous equipment.

Education, Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

Required:

• Associate Degree (Public Administration, Human Services, Business Administration) May substitute  4 years of experience with HUD housing programs such as HCV, VASH, Public Housing, PBV, PBRA, and/or CoC programs in lieu of Associate Degree
• At least two (2) years of experience in one of the following: Voucher Program, LIHTC Program or Property Management.

Preferred:

• Bachelor Degree business, social work or public administration
• Voucher program, LIHTC or Property Management experience: at least 4 years
• HCV Occupancy certificate or Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), LIHTC certification and HQS Certification

Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry)

• Valid Michigan Driver's License- Waitlist track only

• Track 1, 2: Have or be able to obtain Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy or Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) certification within 1 year of hire

• Track 2: Have or be able to obtain Blended Occupancy (including LIHTC) certification within 2 years of hire

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require: reaching, stooping, bending, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Driving required for Waitlist track only.

Move and lift light objects less than 20 pounds such as mail, supplies and files.  Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.  The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

See job description