FIELD REPRESENTATIVE HOUSING, HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Principal Field Representative Housing Assistance Program or a Supervising Field Representative Housing, in the Division of Housing and Community Resources, Department of Community Affairs, is responsible for enrolling and determining participant eligibility, preparing Housing Assistance Payments Contracts, authorizing and processing subsidy benefit payments, inspecting rental units, and recertifying program participants in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and State Rental Assistance (SRAP) Programs, and other federal and State housing assistance programs pursuant to the authority of the Public Housing and Development Authority Act, N.J.S.A. 55:14H-1 et seq. and the Federal Housing Act of 1937; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The 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.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Instructs program applicants in the benefits and requirements of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and State Rental Assistance Programs including tenants' obligations and responsibilities for maintaining rental housing units in good condition.
Assists program participants in their efforts to obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing which meets program requirements.
Evaluates dwellings to ensure compliance with HUD and State Housing Quality Standards and makes recommendations to owners concerning required repairs or modifications to dwellings.
Negotiates leases and housing assistance payment contracts with rental property owners or their agents on behalf of program participants.
Compiles required documentation such as participants' income verification, utility costs, medical expenses, evidence of disability status, and other required data.
Prepares participant data for entry into the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Information Management System, Public & Indian Housing Information Center (IMS/PIC) system including the preparation of the appropriate HUD forms and automated systems, to ensure the accurate reporting of the housing authority’s performance in Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP).
Ensures the security of the information obtained from the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV),utilized by the program to verify individual and household income(s) in determining program eligibility, the calculation of housing assistance payments and the validation of reported income(s), is maintained.
Processes requests for criminal background checks on existing and perspective participants to ensure compliance with HUD rules, regulations and requirements. In accordance with HUD regulations 24 CFR982.553 Denial of admission and termination of assistance for criminals and alcohol abusers, screening is required and must be conducted prior to an offer of housing assistance.
Requests and reviews credit report information on existing and perspective participants to ensure compliance with HUD rules, regulations and requirements. Ensures that credit reports accurately reflect applicant financial data to establish income baselines and provide information regarding possible unreported assets.
Ensures that cases are accurately and completely prepared and submitted pursuant to program deadlines.
Establishes and maintains communication with program participants and their sponsoring service agencies to ensure effective delivery of required supportive services.
Refers program participants to other service agencies for additional services which they may require.
Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with rental property owners, real estate agents, brokers, and organizations to maintain an adequate rental housing referral resource.
Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of program activity containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Five (5) years of professional experience in a housing assistance program or other housing related program which includes client intake review requiring participant eligibility determinations and/or field duties requiring facility eligibility determinations.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
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 the various government agencies and departments that provide services to tenants, landlords, low income, disabled, and elderly persons.
Knowledge of health and safety standards applicable to rental housing including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and structural requirements.
Knowledge of the methods used by mental health agencies in the deinstitutionalization process.
Knowledge of the existing rental housing market situation in the assigned project area.
Knowledge of state and local laws governing tenant and landlord relations.
Knowledge of the regulations, policies, procedures, housing quality standards and objectives of Section 8 Existing Housing Program.
Knowledge of local rent control ordinances and rent leveling procedures.
Knowledge of real estate practices and contracts as they apply to the leasing and operation of rental housing.
Ability to evaluate services rendered by owners of rental properties as stipulated in lease agreements.
Ability to represent the program at hearings conducted on a local level.
Ability to analyze and interpret basic laws and regulations concerning rental housing and their practical applications.
Ability to prepare statistical and informative reports containing information on the local rental housing market.
Ability to make field investigations throughout the state and to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local communities and agencies.
Ability to communicate effectively and productively to perform the duties of this position.
Ability to implement an effective plan for the coordination of activities toward the goals implied in the Housing Assistance Payments Program.
Ability to collect, compile, and make accurate appraisals of factual information relating to the implementation of Housing Assistance Programs.
Ability to make required field and home visits, investigations, and evaluations, and prepare relevant reports thereon.
Ability to work effectively with supervisors, local government officials, associates, service agencies' staffs, rental property owners and their agents, clients, and others interested in or concerned with the work of the Housing Assistance Programs, and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the evaluation of housing standards.
Ability to prepare detailed correspondence relating to the field program of the bureau.
Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Ability to learn how 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, and 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 if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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:
