Housing Specialist at San Diego Housing Commission

Job Details

Description

Salary: $34.50 - $42.02 hourly

Type: Temporary, up to 1 year, limited benefits

Application deadline: December 19, 2024

Department:  Homelessness Housing Innovations

Remote work options available. The position requires some in-office and offsite meetings   Remote staff must work and reside within a 100-mile radius of the San Diego Housing Commission located at 1122 Broadway Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101.  

Beginning April 1, 2025, all SDHC staff will be required to follow a hybrid work schedule.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 9/80 Compressed Work Schedule (office closed every other Friday)
• Remote work opportunities
• 14 paid holidays
• Employer paid pension contribution of 14% to base salary
• 457 tax-deferred savings plan
• Social security exempt
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 annually
• Sharp PPO or HMO Plan, Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan,
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending account
• Health and wellness perks
• Rewards & Recognition program

To review all benefits, please visit our careers page:

https://www.sdhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SDHC-Employee-Benefits-Summary-2020-2021.pdf

About SDHC:

The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is an award-winning public housing agency in the City of San Diego that provides innovative housing assistance programs for households with low income or experiencing homelessness. The San Diego City Council, in its role as the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego, oversees SDHC. SDHC helps pay rent for more than 17,000 households with low income annually; is a leader in collaborative efforts to address homelessness, such as the Community Action Plan on Homelessness for the City of San Diego and SDHC’s homelessness initiative, HOUSING FIRST – SAN DIEGO, which has created more than 11,000 housing solutions since November 2014 for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness; and creates and preserves affordable rental housing, with more than 23,000 affordable units in service in the City today with SDHC’s participation.

About the Department:

The Homeless Housing Innovations Division serves homeless individuals and families throughout the City of San Diego using creative strategies and best practice programming. Specifically, the department operates a variety of direct service homeless programs including, but not limited to: homelessness prevention, shelter diversion, rapid rehousing and landlord engagement.

Specific examples include:

• Homelessness Prevention Program
• Homelessness Shelter Diversion Program
• Housing Instability Prevention Program
• Moving Home Rapid Rehousing Program 
• Landlord Engagement and Assistance Program
• Homelessness Response Center

About the Position:

The Housing Specialist role independently performs a variety of complex, highly responsible, and specialized functions associated with the administration of homeless housing and landlord recruitment and retention programs. The work has technical and programmatic aspects, requiring the interpretation and application of policies, procedures, and regulations and involves frequent contact with staff and the public, as well as performing various research functions. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Examples of Essential Job Functions:

• Conducts comprehensive assessments of individuals and families to determine eligibility as well as level of housing location and placement services, financial assistance and resource needs; in accordance with Commission policies and procedures and applicable funding source rules and regulations; Create and maintain consistent communication, both verbal and written, between multiple parties. This includes, but is not limited to, tenants, property owners, referral source, internal departments, and collaborating agencies.
• Handle client and landlord interactions with courtesy, tact, and sensitivity to the issues involved.
• Evaluates data relevant to the program. Maintain daily logs records and monthly outcome reports for each client.
• Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
• Conducts client intakes and assessments for eligibility into a homelessness assistance programs. This includes determining short-term rental assistance; reviews data and information, evaluates and applies applicable rules and regulations, and makes determinations of client eligibility for program assistance; reviews and maintains client intake files for accuracy and completeness.
• Assists clients in development of and encourages successful completion of action plans developed in conjunction with clients; conducts pro-active case management sessions, in person, over the phone and over email and at times conducts home visits, in an effort to assist the client in stabilizing in and maintaining housing; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payment plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
• Assist participants in development of a strengths-based, solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Monitors action plans and meets periodically with clients to assess progress and identify support needed, including transportation and financial planning to aid clients in pursuing interim targets as planned.
• Responds to contacts from clients, property owners, informants, representatives of other governmental agencies, Commission staff, and others; processes and documents action taken to the Executive Team and legal counsel; documents procedural errors and other problems in case files and returns them to Supervisor for follow up action.
• Conducts technical and procedural training programs for new employees and staff, including training on program regulations, policies, and procedures, forms and document processing, database system, interviewing techniques, prioritization of work, and other procedures and applicable skills.
• Conducts administrative reviews regarding the denial of client eligibility for homeless service programs available within the department; reviews data, evaluates applicable rules and regulations, and makes determinations of client eligibility for program assistance; reviews client intake files for accuracy and completeness and approves processing.
• Researches, compiles, analyzes, and organizes information and data from various sources on a variety of specialized topics related to assigned areas; develops management reports and recommendations regarding improvements in procedures, control processes, and employee training programs; checks and tabulates standard mathematical or statistical data.
• Develops and maintains accurate and detailed records, verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information.
• Works with service providers in the community as well as internal homeless service programs to assist clients at-risk of and experiencing homelessness in securing housing placement including recruitment and retention efforts to develop landlord partnerships, responding to inquiries, issuing eligible payments to landlords for participation in programs, reviewing and submitting landlord claims for approval including ensuring claims are accurate and include all required verification
• Conducts and completes certifications in required databases including Yardi, Salesforce and HMIS, and others
• Tracks required data and maintains accurate records for clients files; resolves any data entry or required processes issues
• Reviews rent registers and conducts Rent Reasonableness Valuations; conducts habitability checks and informs property owners of required improvements.
• Answers questions and responds to complaints from clients, landlords, and the public; explains Commission policies and procedures and available courses of action; pulls case records, conducts research regarding problems or concerns, and takes follow-up corrective action as appropriate.
• Researches, compiles, analyzes, and organizes information and data from various sources on a variety of specialized topics related to assigned areas; develops management reports and recommendations regarding improvements in procedures, control processes, and employee training programs; checks and tabulates standard mathematical or statistical data.
• Develops and maintains accurate and detailed records, verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles and practices of homeless housing interventions, social services, case management, eviction prevention, shelter diversion, and crisis intervention.
• Demographics, social services, housing needs, and other supportive needs of populations served by Commission homeless programs. Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
• Ethical and legal obligations regarding confidentiality, and individual/family supportive services programs.
• The community, its resources and dynamics applicable to the delivery of Commission programs in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Understanding of the rental market within the City of San Diego.
• Demonstrated understanding of Housing First, trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing practices
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as "strengths based" case management.
• Research, analytical, and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Detail oriented to complete requirements of files and contract compliance.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned programs.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and departmental policies, technical processes, and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles of business letter writing and record-keeping.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Commission staff.
• Commission administrative regulations, policies, and procedures governing homeless services programs.
• Eligibility, recertification, and case management practices and procedures.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and departmental policies, technical processes, and procedures.
• Research, statistical, analytical, and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles of business letter writing and record-keeping.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Commission staff.

Ability to:

• Perform specialized housing location work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personal information of applicants, current and former clients, and other matters affecting tenant relations.
• Effectively problem solve and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
• Define issues, collect data, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations in an effective manner.
• Understand the organization and operation of the Commission and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Deal effectively with a culturally and ethnically highly diverse client and customer group.
• Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with Commission policies and procedures, complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances governing the programs in assigned areas of responsibility
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written material independently or from brief instructions.
• Perform specialized and technical eligibility and case management work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Effectively represent the division and the Commission in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and word-processing, database, spreadsheet, and other software applications programs.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education & Experience:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in planning, social work, business administration, public administration, or a related field preferred, and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the administration of housing programs.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment. 

Physical Demands: 

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various SDHC and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. 

Environmental Elements: 

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with staff and/or the public, including those experiencing challenging housing circumstances, and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.