Job Specification
HOUSING ASSISTANCE TECHNICIAN
DEFINITION:
Under direction, reviews information, interviews and/or
investigates tenants and other participants to determine
eligibility for public housing or housing assistance programs
(for example, partial payment for housing rental, obtaining
suitable living quarters, and so forth), and/or informs them of
regulations affecting their rights and obligations as tenants;
does related work as required.
NOTE: The definition and examples of work for this title are for
illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this
title may not perform all duties listed in this job
specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may
not be listed.
NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring
bilingual skills.
04947 - Bilingual in Spanish and English
SPECIAL SKILL
Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or
communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform
the duties of this position.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Explains to applicants or program participants (landlord,
tenant, and so forth) the purpose of program and agency
requirements for eligibility, procedures for application or
recertification, and clarifies any questions applicant may have
regarding the program (for example, probable rent payments, site
preference, other factors) to inform applicant about eligibility
and financial program assistance.
May make home or office visits to discuss applicants' or
program participants' specific questions relative to
application/form used for gathering pertinent information, to
assist applicant to comply with application procedures.
May be required to write/enter answers on form to complete
application form for client.
May scan application form to determine if form is complete.
Hands out information concerning program.
Discusses applicants' eligibility information given on
application and suggests ways to secure evidence that applicant
does not have to verify eligibility information.
Discusses with supervisory or senior staff, technical
questions concerning eligibility requirements, application
processing, and financial assistance to obtain explanation/clarification
of presented problems.
Enters notation of action on application form to make and
record decision to approve, disapprove, or hold approval in
abeyance.
Computes financial assistance (for example, subsidy and so
forth) to be issued or applied towards housing expenses.
Writes letters and makes telephone calls to give eligibility
decision, amount of assistance, and so forth, to notify applicant
of status of case.
Computes amount, counts money, or accepts check and records
amount to secure deposit or rent from selected applicant, and so
forth.
Discusses/answers questions about program(s) and other
available community resources, to provide information for
individuals to take advantage of services or programs.
Advises applicants who are having problems meeting their
obligations under the terms of the program (nonpayment) by
suggesting changes to help individuals qualify for assistance.
Reviews contract agreements between parties, taking into
account requirements of the programs, tenants' needs, or
government regulations, to explain the responsibilities of
individuals involved in leasing, rental, or other legal agreements.
Reviews and analyzes data concerning area rental rates,
turnover and vacancy rates, and so forth, to provide
administrative staff with recommendations for changes
in operating procedures or program services.
Updates status information on tenants (for example,
termination, changes in income and subsidy assistance
amounts, and so forth).
Issues payments to clients or program participants based on
information contained in case files.
Performs clerical work such as compiling listings of
available rental properties, spaces, applicants, assistance
program participants, and so forth.
Provides tenants/landlords with information pertaining to
landlord/tenant laws, rent regulation ordinances, and other
regulations affecting their rights and obligations.
Contacts various sources to obtain verification of
information provided by applicants/program participants.
Determines applicants'/participants' eligibility for
housing assistance, participation in program, and/or entitlement
for financial aid.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and computerized information systems
used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of experience in securing and verifying
information and making determinations or recommendations
pertaining to such matters as the eligibility or qualifications
of applicants for insurance, credit, entitlement to cash awards
or financial benefits, employment, financial loans, or the
adjustment and settlement of insurance claims, and/or in
interviewing and eliciting information from persons and assisting
them in completing application forms and verifying information
obtained.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license
valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather
than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential
duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of requirements/guidelines for eligibility
and procedures for applying for housing assistance.
Knowledge of procedures used in disseminating
informational materials.
Knowledge of types of social services available in the
community.
Knowledge of basic arithmetic involving decimals and
percentages.
Knowledge of standard operating procedures for
composing notification letter.
Knowledge of records management procedures to select
and assemble information for administrative staff.
Knowledge of the problems commonly encountered by
tenants (financial, tenant-landlord) and their solutions.
Knowledge of rent adjustment procedures, tenant relocating
processes and procedures, leasing agreement procedures,
habitability standards and inspections, minimum housing standards
and inspections, special status residence programs and funding
(elderly, handicapped, low income rental assistance programs -
state and federal).
Knowledge of the purpose, procedures, and problems
encountered in assisting low-income families in acquiring
suitable housing accommodations.
Ability to apply eligibility requirements to specific
situations and clients.
Ability to evaluate financial and social data in
relation to eligibility criteria.
Ability to prepare summaries.
Ability to understand and interpret questions pertaining to
application form.
Ability to apply judgment and speciality knowledge to
give oral information to people.
Ability to be tactful and courteous in interviewing
people.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
manual recording and information systems used by the
agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered
as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as
long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after
reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.
If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause
the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which
are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 04534 | | L | C | | N/A | 07 | | - | | 04947 | Bilingual In Spanish And English | L | C | | N/A | 07 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
3/05/1997 |
|
|
