SENIOR FIELD REPRESENTATIVE HOUSING, HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
DEFINITION:
Under direction of a Supervising Field Representative Housing or Principal Field Representative Housing, Housing Assistance Program, Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources, takes the lead in the primary field activities necessary 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, NJSA 55:14H-1 et seq. and the Federal Housing Act of 1937; performs more complex work and/or specializes in specific areas; 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.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Provides technical assistance to field representatives in implementing projects.
Researches and analyzes the effects of project implementation in the assigned field office area and prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Takes the lead in coordinating work and instructing employees on program operating procedures, methods, and field or office responsibilities; may review the work of lower level field staff.
Performs more complex and difficult work, where there may be limited precedence to guide and determine action; responsibilities may require specialized knowledge or broader experience.
Establishes and maintains essential case records and files; may be responsible for ensuring all unit records and files are maintained.
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 assure compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards, and makes recommendations to owners concerning required repairs or modifications to dwellings.
Recommends waiver from Housing Quality Standards where conditions warrant.
Negotiates leases and housing assistance payments 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 handicapped or disability status, and other required data, and prepares or assists in the completion of the participant's application.
Ensures that cases are accurately and completely prepared and submitted pursuant to program deadlines.
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). Takes the lead in the investigation of PIC errors and implements the appropriate corrective actions. Ensures that deceased tenant information is properly reported in IMS/PIC.
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.
Ensures the processing and/or 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 CFR 982.553 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.
Ensures the obtaining of and/or obtains 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.
Establishes and maintains communication with program participants and their sponsoring service agencies to ensure effective delivery of required supportive services, and takes necessary corrective action where support services are not being provided.
Refers program participants to other service agencies for additional services which they may require.
Establishes and maintains working relationships with rental property owners, real estate agents, brokers, and organizations to maintain an adequate rental housing referral resource.
Prepares and submits clear, concise, complete, and timely reports of program activity as required.
Makes initial determination of eligibility or ineligibility of applicant's program participation.
Prepares necessary renewal forms.
Performs necessary investigations where it is alleged the landlord has failed to comply with the terms of the housing assistance payments contract and recommends cancellation or continuation of the contract.
Performs necessary investigations where it is alleged the tenant has failed to comply with program requirements and recommends cancellation or continuation of tenant voucher of participation.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, and 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.
Six (6) 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 two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment 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 various government agencies/departments that provide services to tenants, landlords, and handicapped, disabled, and elderly persons.
Knowledge of the existing rental housing market situation in the assigned project area.
Knowledge of local rent control ordinances and rent leveling procedures.
Knowledge of the regulations, policies, procedures, housing quality standards and objectives of the Section 8 Existing Housing Program.
Knowledge of the methods used by mental health agencies in the deinstitutionalization process.
Knowledge of real estate practices and contracts as they apply to the leasing and operation of rental housing.
Ability to interpret and apply the regulations of the housing assistance programs.
Ability to utilize legal terminology used in leases and rental agreements.
Ability to interpret and apply state and local laws governing tenant and landlord relations.
Ability to assign and effectively instruct employees on program operating procedures.
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 the 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 prepare clear, technically sound, and accurate reports containing findings and recommendations resulting from the evaluation of housing standards.
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 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and State Rental 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 Element, and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Ability to draft correspondence relating to the field program.
Ability to establish and maintain case records and files.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, and 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 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:
