Housing Specialist I/II at County of Riverside in Riverside, California

Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside's Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS), Housing Authority Division, is seeking to fill one (1) vacancy for a Housing Specialist I/II located in Riverside, 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?

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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.

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APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


• 
  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)

4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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