Lead Specialist- MRVP Moves

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:
Lead Specialists will serve as team leaders within a Leased Housing program area, providing guidance, support and coaching on program rules and requirements to other team members. Lead Specialists will assist Managers and senior staff in monitoring activities and conducting quality control reviews of staff in their respective units. The position will also support staff on special projects and initiatives, such as changes in software, new reporting tools and changes in protocols. Additionally, the duties of the position include a wide range of activities related to the rental assistance programs administered by Metro Housing, including but not limited to admissions, leasing and moves, special programs, the project based program, portability, continued occupancy, compliance, data and reporting and/or inspections. Lead Specialists may perform admissions, recertifications, interim recertifications, continued occupancy transactions, inspections as well as deal with applicant, participant and landlord issues. Lead Leasing Specialists will frequently be required to use independent judgment in making recommendations and decisions

REPORTS TO
Manager – MRVP

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

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

• Understands and applies MRVP regulations, DHCD policies and Metro Boston procedures;
• Answers telephone calls and communicates with applicants, participants, landlords/owners and co-workers in a manner that is courteous and professional;
• Prepares and transmits applicable correspondence to clients;
• Responds timely to requests and inquiries from customers and staff, by phone, in person and by written communications;
• Determines customer needs and provides the information or assistance required to satisfy the customer needs;
• Completes data entry for all transactions into housing software;
• Prepares and submits required reports;
• Maintains letters, documents and transaction materials in client files per the file organization protocol
• Notifies program applicants, participants and owners in a timely manner of the results of program transactions;
• Schedules and conducts recertifications in a manner that ensures that the entire process is completed by the anniversary date;
• Documents required information in accordance with DHCD and Metro Housing requirements;
• Processes changes in family composition and conducts applicable screening;
• Obtains required level of verification of income;
• Determines Income and tenant rent share in accordance with DHCD and Metro Housing rules;
• Maintains complete and accurate files;
• Prepares correspondence to tenants;
• Reviews and takes appropriate action for program non-compliance, including recommending and processing termination of assistance; and
• Completes data entry for all transactions.

Moves

• In addition to the continued occupancy functions identified above, Lead Specialists may be responsible for MRVP move functions, including:
• Reviews and approves clients’ eligibility to move;
• Determines voucher size;
• Issues voucher;
• Tracks and monitors issued vouchers;
• Reviews and approves voucher extension requests; and
• Conducts updated verification and income calculation as needed.
• Keeps supervisor informed of issues as needed;
• Communicates with other leased housing staff on the progress and status of program transactions;
• Attends meetings and trainings;
• Supervision
• Under supervision and direction of the applicable Manager, provides oversight and monitoring of activities of staff within their unit;
• Assists with oversight of special projects to support the goals and objectives of the department; and,
• Conducts quality control reviews of the transactions completed by staff within their unit, which will include, but is not limited to, file reviews.
• Performs other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• Two (2) years of experience working in MRVP, Housing Choice Voucher, or other housing programs preferred;
• Knowledge of DHCD policies, and other Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related to low income housing and policies;
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures and basic mathematics;
• Ability to understand and implement DHCD and Metro Boston policies and procedures;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate with and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants, landlords and other employees;
• Ability to complete complex and detailed tasks in a timely manner;
• Ability to plan and prioritize duties;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Accuracy in making mathematical calculations;
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• Positive approach to work with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work independently within a busy and diverse team setting;
• Strong computer literacy skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel; and
• Experience using computer software to organize, store, and analyze data.
• Ability to exercise good judgment
• Strong time management skills with the ability to handle large caseloads and high volume of work in a busy, fast paced environment.
• Ability to multi-task handling several tasks at once, anticipating and identifying problems and putting forward solutions
• Ability to handle frequent interruptions without a loss of efficiency/productivity or accuracy.
• Attention to detail in all aspect of work
• Perform other duties as assigned

SALARY/BENEFITS (This is a non-exempt position)
$52,500 with excellent benefits.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER