Human Services Specialist - Rochester Housing Authority

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Conducts orientations (i.e. Family Self-Sufficiency), recruits, monitors progress and goal completion, and periodically recertifies program participants for housing eligibility according to HUD rules and regulations; Follows up with tenants on a monthly basis regarding inspection issues; Assesses participants’ educational and training needs, childcare, transportation, and health care needs, and coordinates an Individual Training and Services Plan within guidelines, completing enrollments; Interviews new and current participants to obtain data regarding income and household expenses and to collect documents of proof; Verifies that information provided by participants is accurate by inspecting documents and contacting social service agencies, employers, Social Security, schools, and judicial system by phone or mail; Determines eligibility and suitability of participants for participation in programs; Counsels participants regarding credit by obtaining credit reports, assists with credit disputes, and makes referrals to area credit services; Refers participants to various community-based agencies to meet family needs and prepare for home ownership program; Tracks and evaluates program outcomes, including establishing/monitoring participants’ escrow accounts; Computes income and expenses to determine participants’ housing eligibility and set rental charges according to the Authority's policies and HUD rules and regulations; Coordinates training and home ownership fairs, wellness and life skills clinics, and other services to assist participants toward self-sufficiency; Corresponds and provides customer service to participants regarding re-certifications, failed inspections, and voluntary withdrawals using a personal computer (includes, but not limited to letters, memos, simple reports, and a variety of forms and ledgers); Maintains participant records; May contact various human service agencies and refers tenants to such organizations as visiting nurses, Department of Social Services, medical transportation, and youth and family counseling; May be assigned to represent the Housing Authority at events or taskforces sponsored by community service and outreach organizations.