Recruitment Type: This position is open until Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
Hiring Range: $22.42 - $25.21 per hour (DOQ)
Benefit package includes: Medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement, paid holidays, and paid time off
Work Hours & Location: Monday - Friday flexible schedule (start time between 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.) with the ability to work up to two days remote upon completion of probation.

Housing Specialists are part of the Housing Assistance team at the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA), a local and national recognized leader in affordable housing.

The Housing Assistance team administers local, state and federally funded rental assistance programs. The largest program is the federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program that serves over 2,600 households. The Dakota County CDA has consistently been recognized as a High Performer in the administration of the HCV Program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing Specialists act as a primary contact for clients and property owners to provide program information and apply applicable regulations and procedures to deliver rent assistance to eligible individuals and families.

The Dakota County CDA's mission is to improve the lives of Dakota County residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing and community development. For more information about the CDA visit www.dakotacda.org

Process client files in accordance with all applicable program rules and regulations.

• Conduct all new applicant, re-examination, and portability interviews and briefings to evaluate each client's initial or continued eligibility.
• Ensure applicants, selected from the waiting list for program admission, meet the selection criteria.
• Ensure rent reasonableness; determine and document that rent to property owners are reasonable based on current rents for comparable unassisted units.
• Determination of adjusted income, including properly obtaining verification of adjusted income; properly attributing the utility allowance
• Ensure the determination of adjusted income results in an accurate tenant rent calculation, resulting in accurate Housing Assistance Payments (HAP).
• Ensure accurate HAP payments within the provided systems (i.e. holding, releasing, and recouping payments, as needed).
• Request and provide information relating to Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections.
• Ensuring that in cases where HQS deficiencies were not corrected within the required timeframe that the HAP payment is abated.
• Conduct file audits for accuracy and completeness and to ensure no audit findings.

• Provide program information as necessary to applicants, program participants and property owners.
• Educate program participants about the use of other human service agencies and encourage use of these agencies for the enhancement of their living situations.
• Assist participants in location of suitable housing by referring them to vacancy postings and other information resources.

• Assess the need for interim rent changes and process according to applicable policies.
• Document and report all suspected fraud to the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, after consultation and review with supervisor.
• Compose informal hearing presentations and act as representative at the hearings/reviews involving program disputes.

• Provide back-up support to other Housing Specialists.
• Manage assigned workload with the provided tools and resources.
• Coordinate with Dakota County, its vendors, and the VA on programs where referrals are provided by these entities.
• Prepare monthly status reports and requisitions for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency programs.
• Prepare portability packets for out-going participants. Conduct group briefings.
• Maintain good working relationships with personnel from the county, housing authorities, and human service agencies.
• Participate in the agency, department, and project committee meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A combination of related education and experience to total 4 years (Housing Assistance or social work)

• Housing Specialist Certification, or the ability to obtain Housing Specialist Certification within the first year of employment

• Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
• Tenant/landlord laws
• Basic mathematics
• Problem-solving techniques

• Accept responsibility, work independently, and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Work with a varied client base including special populations/clients with special needs and communication barriers.
• Handle difficult situations in a professional manner, when dealing with the public.
• Make decisions which have financial and/or legal consequences and which involve technical complexity.
• Process and maintain large volumes of detailed information.
• Work under pressure and with interruptions.
• Be flexible.
• Respect privacy and confidentiality of clients.
• Manage and resolve conflict; ability to negotiate.
• Make decisions.
• Interpret and apply regulations.
• Interpret legal documents.
• Disseminate, discuss, and discern information (oral and written).
• Operate computer software programs.

The Dakota County CDA offers a competitive benefit package. This position is eligible to participate in the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance (three plan options – CDA pays 80-90% of premiums)
• Dental Insurance (two plan options – CDA pays 50-80% of premiums)
• Vision Insurance
• Life insurance (CDA pays 75% of premiums)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (CDA pays 50% of premiums)
• Medical and dependent care flex spending accounts
• 20 days (160 hours) of flex (vacation/sick) leave (paid time off) per year
• 11 paid holidays
• 8 hours of volunteer leave per year
• Paid parental leave (3 weeks for the birth or adoption of a child for all parents)
• 401a HART retirement plan (in lieu of Social Security) – 12.7% employee contribution matched by 12.7% employer contribution
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (Nationwide) – optional
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Post-Employment Health Care Savings Plan
• On-site fitness center
• Employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program