Program Specialist, Rental Assistance - South Middlesex Opportunity Council

SUMMARY


The Rental Assistance State Program Representative is responsible for assurance and enforcement of regulations of the state rental assistance programs which includes overseeing and carrying out day to day operations of the Massachusetts’ Rental Assistance Voucher Program (MRVP) including mobile and project-based vouchers, Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) and Department of Mental Health (DMH) Voucher Program including mobile and sponsor-based vouchers, in accordance to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) policies and procedures.


Why Work for SMOC?



+ Flexible schedule, work/life balance and a 35-hour work week.


+ Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.


+ Employer Paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability after 6 months of employment.


+ Two Comprehensive Medical Plans with HRA Employer cost-sharing and 79% of premiums covered by the Employer.


+ Dental w/ Orthodontic Coverage with 75% of premiums covered by the Employer


+ EyeMed Vision Insurance


+ 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match on day one.


+ Additional voluntary benefits including – additional Term and Whole Life Insurance policies, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, and Short-Term Disability.


+ Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.



PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES



+ Perform regular recertification of households by running wage match, obtaining income and asset verification, third party verification and confirming household members’ status


+ Conduct interim recertifications by running wage match, obtaining income and asset verification, and third-party verification and confirming household members’ status


+ Handle all aspects of relocation including transfers within the Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs). Duties include obtaining landlord documents and Certificate of Fitness inspection report, negotiating rent, recertifying tenant income and obtaining signatures for lease and contracts


+ Process contract rent increases as approved by the Director of Technical and Special Programs


+ Determine eligibility for new applicants to the program and conduct briefings on the rules and regulations for new participants


+ Possess an understanding of reasonable accommodation (RA) and monitor requests for reasonable accommodation in accordance with EOHLC policies. Ensure requests are submitted to the Director of Technical & State Programs for approval or denial.


+ Update and maintain processes and regulations within the state guidelines and make changes as required.


+ Possess knowledge of landlord/tenant law in order to be able to advise clients of their tenant rights.


+ Act as a client and Rental Assistance Program Advocate by making appropriate referrals to internal and external resources when necessary


+ Maintain all file documents in a physical folder in accordance with the file protocol


+ Ensure all data entry is entered correctly and on schedule with the bimonthly check runs


+ Provide responsive telecommunication to tenants, landlords, advocates and agency personnel


+ Attend trainings as required by SMOC/EOHLC




+ Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.


+ Attend & participate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with staff in other areas.


+ Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.


+ Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.


+ Other duties as assigned.



KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS



+ BS/BA or Associate’s Degree in Human Services preferred


+ Bilingual in Spanish a plus


+ Must meet all required EOHLC program certifications within 1 year or have minimum of 2 years’ of experience working with EOHLC rental assistance programs.


+ Knowledge of State MRVP/AHVP/DMH programs preferred.


+ Knowledge of Excel, Windows, Microsoft Word


+ Basic mathematics skills required to calculate rental payments


+ Strong attention to detail


+ Ability to interpret and apply state housing rules and regulations


+ Ability to work well in a very high volume and productivity environment


+ Ability to handle potentially stressful situations and sensitivity to the needs of economically disadvantaged clientele.


+ Strong ability to make decisions independently


+ Highly skilled in multitasking


+ Strong verbal and written communication skills


+ Experience with adhering to confidentiality requirements



ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP



+ Directly reports to Supervisor of Technical and State Programs


+ Indirectly reports to Technical and State Programs Director, Director of Federal Programs, Data and Billing Specialist, and Division Director.


+ Direct reports of this position are None.


+ Indirect reports of this position are Administrative Generalist and temporary employees.



PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS



+ Mobility to use office machines


+ Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time.



WORKING CONDITIONS


As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Rental Assistance State Program Representative will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.


We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.