Hearing Officer

***Please include a writing sample and cover letter along with your application***

SALARY:  $68,000-$73,000 per year.

This is an exempt, full-time position.

ORGANIZATION:

Metro Housing| Boston is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. Metro Housing empowers families and individuals to move from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 25,000 households annually, we work seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase our impact. With more than 30 years’ experience piloting and implementing housing programs, we have solidified our position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field.

 MISSION:

“We mobilize wide-ranging resources to provide innovative and personalized services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security, and an improved quality of life.”

 OVERVIEW:

An integral part of the Leased Housing Department, the Hearing Officer coordinates and hears administrative appeals within Metro Housing|Boston’s leased housing programs.   The Hearing Officer provides professional and fair service to Metro Housing program participants and ensures compliance with HUD, DHCD, DND and Metro Housing administrative plans as well as applicable laws, regulations,  policies, and procedures.  The Hearing Officer is also responsible for all aspects of the hearing process including: scheduling hearings, preparing for the hearing, presiding over hearings, writing the decision after each hearing, maintaining the hearing record, and tracking all hearing requests, status, and outcomes.   When a participant has a right to appeal to another agency (such as DHCD or DND) and exercises this right, the Hearing Officer provides a written response for the case.

REPORTS TO: Managing Director of Hearings and Legal Affairs 

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Tracking of hearing requests, status of each case, and the outcome of each case and other data as necessary;
• Hears and issues written decisions on informal occupancy appeals by applicants for Section 8, Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, and the Continuum of Care programs; 
• Hears and issues written decisions on appeals by Leased Housing participants from adverse decisions of the Metro Housing Program Representatives and Inspectors regarding their specific program participation;
• Hears and issues written decisions on appeals regarding CORI violations;
• Hears and issues written decisions on reasonable accommodation related appeals;
• Issues a comprehensive and detailed written decision for each hearing;
• Researches the applicable legal authority for each decision;
• Responsible for maintaining the hearing record and recording of the proceeding;
• Trains other agency staff as necessary on standardized presentation of cases;
• Works closely with Leased Housing management staff to identify areas of additional training and proposed policy changes and to provide such training as appropriate; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required in a related field. Juris Doctorate preferred;
• Minimum 3 years of experience with legal system(s) and/or administrative hearings (attorney or paralegal preferred);
• Ability to interpret federal and state regulations and policies; 
• Demonstrated strong reasoning and writing skills sufficient to draft proper hearing decisions;
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local housing assistance programs;
• Ability to work quickly, accurately, and independently;
• Demonstrated commitment to respectful client service;
• Experience in diffusing tense situations;
• Ability to work in a busy, diverse team, ability to work independently;
• Excellent time management, organizational and communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in stressful situations;
• Computer literacy required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook and Tracker systems;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills; and
• A commitment to providing affordable housing.

PREFERENCE GIVEN TO:

• Candidates with multilingual skills (verbal and written). We are seeking candidates that speak and write English and at least one of the following languages (for interpreting and translation): Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Toisanese, and Spanish. 

Most benefits are available on your first day of work with Metro Housing | Boston. These benefits currently include:

Your and your family’s health

• Health and dental coverage on a pre-tax basis;
• Eye Med Vision plan on a pre-tax basis;
• Medical and dependent care reimbursement account;
• Company paid life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability;
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program;
• Voluntary life, accident, critical illness and cancer insurance.

Work/life balance

• Generous vacation, sick, and personal time;
• 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid new parent leave;
• Flexible schedules (when available).

Retirement plan

• 403(b) plan with a company match.

Career growth

• Tuition reimbursement program;
• Internal promotions encouraged.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER