Housing Specialist

Join our Team at the Omaha Housing Authority!

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the communityDo you thrive in a collaborative and supportive environment he Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) is looking for a dynamic administrative professional to assist our residents and help us fulfill our mission of providing safe and affordable housing.

About Us

Founded in 1935 the Omaha Housing Authority is a nonprofit government agency committed to enhancing the quality of life for low and moderate-income individuals. With over 2700 public housing units and up to 4300 Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers we work diligently to ensure our residents have access to safe sanitary and affordable housing.

Our Core Values

• Teamwork: We work together to achieve our goals.
• Welcoming: We create a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Actively Listen: We focus clarify and communicate next steps.
• We Build Trust:We do what we say we will do and assume good intent.
• Diverse Inclusive & Equitable: We embrace all identities and backgrounds.
• De-Escalation: We manage conflicts calmly and effectively.
• Exceptional: We strive for excellence in all we do.
• Self-Care: We believe in the well-being of our team and ourselves.
• Share Power: We empower each other and our community.

Why Work with Us

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 17 paid holidays including your birthday a floating holiday and a self-care day
• 12 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year
• Medical dental and vision benefits start the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Life Insurance Health & Dependent Care FSA Allstate Voluntary Insurance and Pet Insurance
• 401(a) retirement plan with a 5.5% match and 457 compensation plan

Salary Range

The hire rate is $19.43 per hour. This is a Union position.

Job Function

To complete initial application of applicants for determining eligibility on the Section 8 program. Process annual recertifications transfers and interims of participants in compliance with OHA policies HUD regulations and lease provisions.

Essential Functions

• Determine verification needed to accurately evaluate applicants eligibility; prepare and submit verifications to appropriate sources.
• Verify information and prepares Section 8 eligibility and recertification determination for certification.
• Conduct Housing Choice Voucher Briefings.
• Issue RFTA through Yardi tracking and process within 72 hrs.
• Issue and process transfer.
• Process interim if transfer is cancelled.
• Review owners and/or participants leases annually to ensure that rental amount plus allowances does not exceed Fair Market Rent and completes certification for rent reasonableness.
• Recommends termination of payments for participants who fail to comply with re-examination deadlines or for participants over income requirements and participants who violate the Statement of Family Obligations/Responsibilities.
• Insures that all re-examinations are completed prior to expiration of participants leases and notifications mailed 30 days in advance.
• Forwards completed files to the Quality Control Specialist / Manager for review and certification.
• Obtains a change in certification from supervisor when it is determined during annual review that a participant must move due to a change in family composition.
• Determines need for interim rent changes and completes all established and required processing procedures.
• Log in all interim documents and send for verifications.
• Process all reinstates interims abated inspections and termed files.
• Process all unreported income (Pnotes).
• Must maintain files in alphabetical order.
• Maintain organized office work space.
• Ensures all documents are filed in chronological order.
• File paperwork on a daily basis.
• Review and evaluate each piece of mail and correspondence daily.
• Review and respond to emails and phone calls daily.
• Submit daily weekly and monthly reports / logs to HCV Manager(s).
• Must clearly understand all aspects of the policies and procedures of OHA including OHA admissions and continued occupancy policies and HUD regulations. Must have the ability to effectively communicate this to applicants and visitors.

Additional Responsibilities

• May provide transportation for applicants or participants.
• May conduct home visits.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with diverse personalities be mature tactful professional and extremely flexible.
• May assist with special projects.
• May work evening and weekend hours.
• May work in other areas of the HCV Department as directed.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• High School graduate and two years college education in human service social work or related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years actual work experience in a nonprofit agency which included client service interaction. Ability to speak Spanish beneficial.
• Incumbent must successfully complete OHA sponsored management certification courses within one year.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with diverse personalities be mature tactful and professional.
• Good knowledge of local agencies property stock and bond values and federal state and city agency programs which are designed for low-income families.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions. Ability to make mathematical computations and compile statistical data and prepare reports.
• Housing Choice Voucher Rent Calc and Eligibility Certifications required. Incumbents are required to obtain Housing Choice Voucher Rent Calculation and Eligibility Certifications within the first 18 months of employment. OHA will pay for training and testing for an employees first and if necessary second attempt to meet the certification requirements. If the employee fails both attempts the employee is responsible for the costs of any further testing. Employee is to provide proof of the certification within the first 18 months of employment. Failure to meet the certifications within the 18 month time frame will result in removal from the position. Removal from the position may include and is not limited to the following: termination of employment demotion or transfer.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers consultants contractors HUD local state federal officials; ability to communicate with people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting amid normal conditions of dust odors fumes and noises and involves considerable public contact. Frequent exposure to computer and screen for extended periods of time and occasional exposure to the weather (rain snow extreme heat & cold) when showing units or making home visits.

Abilities

• Ability to sit stand and walk up to 100% of the time. Ability to reach climb ladder stoop squat push pull and type up to 90% of the time.
• Ability to move objects weighing up to ten (10) pounds up to 90% of the time.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equipment Operation
(Any one position may not use all of the tools and equipment listed nor do the listed examples comprise all of the tools and equipment that may be used in positions allocated to this classification)

• Computer
• Telephone
• Copier
• Calculator
• Facsimile Machine

OHA is Committed to Equal Opportunity

Omaha Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by federal state or local laws. Omaha Housing Authority is actively seeking diverse candidates and affirming of all identities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application or have a question about your application please contact the Human Resource Department at