Housing Specialist

The City of Madison's Community Development Authority (CDA) is hiring a Housing Specialist!

The mission of the Madison Community Development Authority (CDA) is to provide and develop quality affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. The Section 8 Housing Specialist supports the mission of the CDA and the Section 8 Housing team by providing assisted rent services to low-income families and individuals in a professional and non-judgmental manner.

This position performs administrative support work in the delivery of rent assistance services and caseload management duties related to the administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The work involves ongoing administrative program support activity involving Section 8 program participant continued eligibility, maintaining accurate and efficient case files, and confidentiality of client information and records.

Employees in this position work as a member of the Housing Operations Central Office Staff team. The work is performed under close supervision of the Section 8 Supervisor and is reviewed in progress and upon completion.

Salary: The Housing Specialist 1 starts at $58,292 annually and the Housing Specialist 2 starts at $61,779 annually. Classification level will be determined at the time of hire and will be based on the candidate's relevant work experience and overall qualifications.

Important Notice:

Please attach a cover letter (1 page maximum) to your application highlighting why you are interested in this position and describing what education, training, and experience you have that make you qualified for it.

** APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT AN ATTACHED COVER LETTER ADDRESSING THE ITEMS ABOVE WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.**

Employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Responsibilities:

• Certify Program Participants:
• Schedule and process participant certifications and determine program eligibility under the federal Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program requirements.
• Interview program participants to gather relevant information.
• Ensure all required documents are obtained and included in each participant file.
• Accurately calculate participant’s portion of rent for admission, interim, annual, and special re-examinations with accuracy and efficiency.
• Obtain and develop documentation necessary to support decisions. Obtain third-party verification of participant income, assets, and expenses.
• Determine eligible voucher size, calculate maximum rent/utilities, and calculate utility allowances; and notify participant and landlord of housing assistance and tenant payment amounts with accuracy and efficiency.
• Enter recertification data into computer database and generate a form HUD-50058.
• Review Request for Tenancy Approval, landlord/tenant leases, and supporting documentation for program compliance.
• Process requests for inspections, coordinate with inspectors, and ensure inspections are completed in a timely manner.
• Prepare and execute Housing Assistance Payments contracts between the CDA and participating landlord/owner. Prepare and execute payment adjustments.
• Review and process landlord initiated changes to unit contract rents.
• Process request for minimum rent hardship exemptions.
• Process participant moves and transfers to other jurisdictions.
• Advise participants of program rights, requirements, and responsibilities.
• Maintain a special…