<p>Job Summary</p> <p>Performs a variety of complex duties in connection with the implementation of rental housing voucher programs, including but not limited to, the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), Continuum of Care, Emergency Housing Voucher, and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing programs.</p> <p>Representative Duties</p> <p>Orients and trains Housing Specialists regarding the administration of voucher programs.</p> <p>Provides guidance to Housing Specialists in determining the eligibility of applicants according to program guidelines and explains program procedures and objectives to program participants.</p> <p>Provides administrative support to ensure compliance with federal legislative rules and regulations for federally-funded voucher programs, including but not limited to the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) , Continuum of Care, Emergency Housing Voucher, and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing programs.</p> <p>Assists applicants with navigating and troubleshooting affordable housing program waitlists,</p> <p>Ensures that internal operating procedures and records are in compliance with federal regulations and reporting guidelines.</p> <p>Coordinates with community-based organizations to connect affordable housing program participants with opportunities and services.</p> <p>Connects with community groups, residents, landlords, local businesses, and business groups to outreach and inform community stakeholders of the City's affordable housing programs, projects, and goals.</p> <p>Reviews and approves lease agreements between owners/tenants. Approves and signs assigned voucher program contracts and ensures compliance with contract provisions.</p> <p>Participates in housing inspections to ensure compliance with program guidelines and quality control.</p> <p>Promotes, attends and participates in meetings involving social services agencies, public and private agencies, and community groups. Contacts individuals or agencies to resolve discrepancies and obtain information or services.</p> <p>Provides administrative support and assistance to the Housing Authority Administrator and the Senior Administrative Analyst-Housing Authority.</p> <p>Responds to inquiries from program participants and the general public. Investigates and resolves complaints by owners, tenants, and program participants.</p> <p>Prepares correspondence and reports; completes a variety of forms and applications. Develops and disseminates informational materials.</p> <p>Keeps abreast of changes to federal, State, and local legislation and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines for voucher programs and recommends changes to administrative plan and programs..</p> <p>Performs related duties as assigned.</p> <p>Requirements</p> <p>Knowledge of:</p> <p>HUD regulations for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), Continuum of Care, Emergency Housing Voucher, and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing programs</p> <p>Social service welfare principles and practices</p> <p>Federal, State, and local housing program trends, objectives, and resources</p> <p>Relevant programs, policy, procedures, and practices</p> <p>Program development, implementation, and evaluation</p> <p>Interview techniques</p> <p>Report writing techniques</p> <p>Business English and proper grammatical usage</p> <p>Principles and practices of providing work direction to staff</p> <p>Ability to:</p> <p>Learn and apply federal, State, and local laws, legislation, and regulations relating to the provision of affordable housing assistance programs</p> <p>Interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations</p> <p>Analyze situations and develop and execute associated solutions</p> <p>Train, coordinate, and monitor the work of staff</p> <p>Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing</p> <p>Respond to public inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a tactful and effective manner</p> <p>Provide effective customer service</p> <p>Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with department staff, other City employees, and the public</p> <p>Skill in:</p> <p>The use of computers and related database, word processing, and spreadsheet software</p> <p>REQUIREMENTS</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications:</p> <p>Education: Graduation from an accredited college with an associate's degree.</p> <p>Experience: Three years of experience directly administering a federally-funded rental housing voucher program or similar housing assistance or community development programs. At least one year of experience must include coordinating or providing technical direction to others. Relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education on a year for year basis.</p> <p>Supplemental Information</p> <p>Applicants must submit a clear, concise, completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.</p> <p>SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.</p> <p>Testing may consist of the following:</p> <p>Training & Experience Evaluation: qualifying</p> <p>Oral Interview - 90%</p> <p>Seniority: 10%</p> <p>The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.</p> <p>The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!</p> <p>Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).</p> <p>Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.</p> <p>Background Investigation:</p> <p>Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.</p> <p>WORKING CONDITIONS</p> <p>Work is regularly performed within an office environment; however incumbent in this position will be required to conduct inspection of homes and apartments to ensure compliance with housing program standards. Dust, dirt, and odors are conditions that are occasionally encountered. Must be able to work with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds who have a variety of socioeconomic needs.</p> <p>The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.</p> <p>01</p> <p>The Senior Housing Specialist position requires graduation from an accredited college with an associate's degree. Do you meet this requirement? (Note: If YES, you must submit a copy of your college-level transcripts or degree copy. Applicants who indicate receipt of college-level coursework from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your transcripts. You must attach a scanned copy of your college-level transcripts or degree copy to your online application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. Relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of education on a year for year basis. If you do not have an associate's degree do you wish to use additional relevant work experience to substitute? If so, please describe the work experience you wish to be considered.</p> <p>02</p> <p>This Senior Housing Specialist role will serve as the Housing Navigator for the Santa Monica Housing Authority, which will work with voucher applicants experiencing homelessness from the start of the voucher process, including obtaining the applicant referral and documentation collection, through the lease-up of permanent housing, including supporting the voucher holder with finding housing once the voucher is approved. Describe your experience directly supporting clients through a federally-funded rental housing voucher program application process, including referring eligible applicants, and supporting them post voucher issuance to find housing. Be specific and describe your role, duties, responsibilities, and the number of years you have performed these duties. Additionally, describe your process for supporting clients in obtaining necessary documentation, and supporting clients in finding an apartment to utilize their voucher.</p> <p>03</p> <p>Describe your experience coordinating or providing technical direction to others. If you have no such experience mark N/A.</p> <p>04</p> <p>Describe how you keep track of multiple clients and their unique housing needs simultaneously.</p> <p>05</p> <p>What methods do you employ to build trust with clients who may be dealing with trauma or have a distrust of governmental processes? Please describe any training you have related to harm reduction and trauma informed care, and any experience you have specifically working with people experiencing homelessness and supporting them from referral to voucher application to finding an apartment for utilizing the voucher.</p> <p>Required Question</p> <p>Employer City of Santa Monica</p> <p>Address 1685 Main Street, Room 101</p> <p>P.O. Box 2200</p> <p>Santa Monica, California, 90401</p> <p>Phone 310-458-8697</p> <p>Website https://www.santamonica.gov/departments/human-resources</p>