Seasonal Housing Assistance Technician - Middlesex County

Seasonal Housing Assistance Technician

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Under direction, reviews information, interviews and/or investigates tenants and other participants to determine eligibility for public housing or housing assistance programs (for example, partial payment for housing rental, obtaining suitable living quarters, etc.), and/or informs them of regulations affecting their rights and obligations as tenants; does related work as required.

This position is Seasonal, with no predetermined end date.

Responsibilities

• Explains to applicants or program participants (landlord, tenant, and so forth) the purpose of program and agency requirements for eligibility, procedures for application or recertification, and clarifies any questions applicant may have regarding the program (for example, probable rent payments, site preference, other factors) to inform applicant about eligibility and financial program assistance.
• Will meet with clients in person, as needed to discuss applicants’ or program participants' specific questions relative to application/form used for gathering pertinent information, to assist applicant to comply with application procedures.
• May be required to write/enter answers on form to complete application form for client and/or review application for completeness.
• Hands out information concerning program.
• Discusses applicants’ eligibility information given on application and suggests ways to secure evidence that applicant does not have to verify eligibility information.
• Discusses with supervisory or senior staff, technical questions concerning eligibility requirements, application processing, and financial assistance to obtain explanation/clarification of presented problems.
• Enters notation of action on application form to make and record decision to approve, disapprove, or hold approval in abeyance.
• Computes financial assistance (for example, subsidy and so forth) to be issued or applied towards housing expenses.
• Writes letters, email documents and makes telephone calls to give eligibility decision, amount of assistance, and so forth, to notify applicant of status of case.
• Discusses/answers questions about program(s) and other available community resources, to provide information for individuals to take advantage of services or programs.
• Advises applicants who are having problems meeting their obligations under the terms of the program (nonpayment) by suggesting changes to help individuals qualify for assistance.
• Reviews contract agreements between parties, considering requirements of the programs, tenants' needs, or government regulations, to explain the responsibilities of individuals involved in leasing, rental, or other legal agreements.
• Reviews and analyzes data concerning area rental rates, turnover and vacancy rates, and so forth, to provide administrative staff with recommendations for changes in operating procedures or program services.
• Updates status information on tenants (for example, termination, changes in income and subsidy assistance amounts).
• Issues payments to clients or program participants based on information contained in case files.
• Performs clerical work such as compiling listings of available rental properties, spaces, applicants, assistance program participants, and so forth.
• Provides tenants/landlords with information pertaining to landlord/tenant laws, rent regulation ordinances, and other regulations affecting their rights and obligations.
• Contacts various sources to obtain verification of information provided by applicants/program participants.
• Determines applicants'/participants’ eligibility for housing assistance, participation in program, and/or entitlement for financial aid.

Requirements

Experience: One (1) year of experience in securing and verifying information and making determinations or recommendations pertaining to such matters as the eligibility or qualifications of applicants for insurance, credit, entitlement to financial benefits, employment, loans, or the adjustment and settlement of insurance claims, and/or in interviewing and eliciting information from persons and assisting them in completing application forms and verifying information obtained.

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred

Languages: Bilingual, English & Spanish
License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle,  rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the  essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of requirements/guidelines for  eligibility and procedures for applying for housing assistance.
Knowledge of  procedures used in disseminating informational materials.
Knowledge of types of social services available in the community.
Knowledge of basic arithmetic involving decimals and percentages.
Knowledge of standard operating procedures for composing notification letter.
Knowledge of records management procedures to select and assemble information for administrative staff.
Knowledge of the problems commonly encountered by tenants (financial, tenant-landlord) and their solutions.
Knowledge of rent adjustment procedures, tenant relocating processes and procedures, leasing agreement procedures, habitability standards and inspections, minimum housing standards and inspections, special status residence programs and funding (elderly, handicapped, low-income rental assistance programs -state and federal).
Knowledge of the purpose, procedures, and problems encountered in assisting low-income families in acquiring suitable housing accommodations.
Ability to apply eligibility requirements to specific situations and clients.
Ability to evaluate financial and social data in relation to eligibility criteria.

Ability to prepare summaries.
Ability to understand and interpret questions pertaining to application form.
Ability to apply judgment and specialty knowledge to give oral information to people.
Ability to be tactful and courteous in interviewing people.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American   Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.