Housing Specialist I/II (Finance)

The County of Riverside's Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS), Housing Authority Division, is seeking to fill multiple vacancies for a Housing Specialist I/II located in Indio, CA.

Incumbents will perform a variety of duties involved in providing housing assistance to low-income individuals under the Section 8 and related assisted housing programs. This may include traveling to do property inspections and provide in-person support and outreach. Duties involve calculating income, answering questions, and providing information to the public. The role requires standing or being on your feet for extended periods as part of delivering these services and engaging with clients.

The most qualified applicants will have extensive homeless outreach experience, managing substantial caseloads, facilitating resource connections, and delivering exceptional customer service in a public agency environment. Additionally, will have basic knowledge/experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Meet the Team!

The County of Riverside's Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS) Department is a dedicated group that prioritizes delivering services to the County's most vulnerable populations. Through helpful interventions that meet our county's housing and workforce related needs, HWS is promoting prosperous neighborhoods and healthy communities. Can you see yourself here? Housing Specialist I:

• Perform a variety of duties involved in the determination of applicants' eligibility and participants' continued eligibility for assisted housing programs utilizing established timelines, agency policies and federal regulations.

• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.

• Conduct initial, annual and special inspections for assisted units for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and related housing programs; ensure assisted units comply with HUD requirements for decent, safe and sanitary housing conditions; advise and assist property owners and tenants of unit maintenance needs identified from inspections or complaints; conduct follow up inspections of completed work and repairs.

• Prepare and execute contracts between the Housing Authority and property owners; negotiate rent with property owners; calculate participants' rent; initiate the collection of delinquent overpayments from participants or property owners.

• Prepare reports on inspections and related matters.

• Assist in the development and implementation of resident programs.

• Duties assigned may be either in caseload management or initial eligibility determination.

Housing Specialist II:
• Conduct initial, annual, special and vacated unit inspections for the Section 8 and related assisted housing programs; ensure proper condition of units including compliance with HUD decent, safe and sanitary conditions; develop service quality improvement initiatives for both contract and private facilities; implement and monitor outcomes.

• Advise and assist property owners and tenants of unit maintenance needs identified from inspections or complaints; conduct follow up inspections of completed work and repairs; conduct site visits with contracted vendors for quality control, provide technical consultation and make recommendations as needed.

• Conduct damage and move out inspections; investigate claims regarding violations of housing quality standards; counsel tenants on good housekeeping practices.

• Mediate between the tenant and property owner; determine liabilities and charges for tenants and owners during vacated unit inspections; process damage claims; liaison between the Department of Mental Health and state licensed board and care facilities; troubleshoot and assist in resolving issues.

• Prepare leases and agreements between tenants and property owners; negotiate rent agreements with property owners; calculate tenant's rent; collect delinquent overpayments from tenants or property owners.

• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints; participate in State Community Care Licensing (CCL) orientation to provide information to operators and administrators interested in establishing new facilities.

• Perform a variety of duties involved in the determination of applicants' eligibility and tenants' continual eligibility for assisted housing programs.

• Prepare reports on inspections and related matters. Housing Specialist I:

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Minimum of one year housing or other state or federal program eligibility or social work experience is preferred.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade supplemented by additional course work in social science or a related field. (Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree may substitute for program eligibility experience.)

Knowledge of: Basic interviewing skills and techniques; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment; principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation; safety and health standards; principles and procedures of record keeping; basic mathematics.

Ability to: Learn Section 8 and related assisted housing programs, policies and procedures; learn, interpret and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; learn to perform housing inspections; determine needed repairs and estimate cost of repairs; operate a computer terminal and standard office machines; perform accurate mathematical calculations; gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including Housing Authority staff, program participants, and the general public.
Housing Specialist II:

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Two years full time work experience equivalent to Housing Specialist I duties and responsibilities or two years of full-time work experience in the care and supervision as defined by State CCL contracted supportive services, or Section 8 and related assisted housing programs.
Training: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade supplemented by additional course work in social science or a related field. (Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of program eligibility experience.)
Knowledge of: Section 8 and related assisted housing programs, policies and procedures or State CCL regulations, policies and procedures; pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; operations, services and activities in providing housing assistance to low-income persons under the Section 8 and related assisted housing programs.
Ability to: Perform housing inspections, determine needed repairs and estimate cost of repairs; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action necessary to resolve complaints; identify and respond to program participants and public issues and concerns; work effectively with people from a variety of social, economic and racial backgrounds; work independently in the absence of supervisor.Other Requirements

License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California Driver's License. Employees must maintain a driving record that meets the insurable requirement of the Housing Authority's carrier.

What's Next?

Open to All Applicants
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the department.

Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of HWS may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.
Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

For questions regarding this recruitment
For specific questions regarding this position, contact Genesis Ochoategui at gochoategui@rivco.org.