Housing Specialist - HQS

Job Summary

Please note this position is open until filled; however, to ensure consideration applications should be received by April 20, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. 

King County Housing Authority (KCHA), an independent municipal organization is a high performing nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. KCHA is a national leader in providing innovative and effective housing solutions so that people and communities can prosper. Our vision is that all residents of King County have quality affordable housing. KCHA is the largest housing provider in the county, and annually, the agency serves over 55,000 low-income individuals.
 
We transform lives through housing.
 
We are recruiting for a talented, detail oriented and customer service focused Housing Specialist - HQS based in Tukwila. The ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment as well as being flexible and able to adjust to shifting priorities will be very important. Other keys to success in this role will include a strong leader with a positive attitude and exceptional communication and customer service skills.  

The ideal candidate for this role will enjoy interacting with staff, landlords/owners, program participants, and many other internal and external stakeholders. They are proficient in the use of systems and tools to maintain organization. They are detail oriented and an exceptional time manager, they know how to influence others and are resourceful and able to independently address and resolve issues as they arise. If you have experience supporting a fast-paced department and you have a passion for the clients we serve, you may find that this is just the opportunity you have been looking for.   

Essential Functions

The Housing Specialist - HQS will:

• Manage paperless software system by ensuring that all documents are scanned and indexed; ensure all inspection-related documents are accounted for; process monthly reports and file reviews.
• Electronically generate reports and letters to support inspectors, lead and supervisor.
• Prepare, review for accuracy, and distribute packets to inspectors in preparation of inspections.
• Provide customer service for both internal (HCV staff, Inspectors) and external stakeholders (landlords, vendors, tenants), including requests for assistance from inspectors in the field; assist Resident Services with referrals for termination of HAP contracts or clients.
• Investigate all returned HQS mail for inaccurate addresses; report discrepancies for correction in KCHA database and resend returned mail.
• Respond to phone calls, request for information and forward to appropriate staff.
• Coordinate the cancellation and rescheduling of inspections.
• Provide ad hoc support to HQS Inspection manager and team.
• Assist with other Housing Specialist responsibilities dependent upon department needs.
  
  
  

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or GED AND
• Moderate experience in HCV programs, low-income housing, customer service, investigative work OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• A collaborative team member who works effectively and productively with others; participate and foster teamwork, build rapport and acts as a positive influence to the team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate with individuals and groups; ability to present and explain complex information regarding policies and procedures.
• Use systems to organize, prioritize, and keep track of information and/or work in progress; maintain accurate and complete electronic and manual records; exhibit attention to detail; ability to multi-task in a high-pressure environment.
• Proficiency using MS Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as Adobe, DocuSign, OnBase and the internet; skill and ability to learn and use agency housing management software (Tenmast).
• Uses critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills to identify problems, analyze and evaluate various solutions, and monitor their effectiveness.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to a diverse population of internal and external stakeholders; ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong, positive interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively; remain professional, calm and tactful in stressful situations while adhering to a high standard of integrity, honesty, and confidentiality.
• Reliable, with a proven reputation for being consistently dependable.
• Adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities; respond to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.
• Value organizational diversity; treat others with respect; promote cooperation; work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educationally diverse populations.

Special Requirements:

• Consent to and pass required assessments.
• Consent to and pass criminal records background check.

Position Information and Application Process

Application Requirements:
To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• Complete the online application profile in its entirety.
• Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter)
• Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)

Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary range of this position is $27.00 - $33.07 per hour dependent on qualifications and professional experience. The complete salary range for this position is $27.00 - $39.15 hourly. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, reduced tuition, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page, www.kcha.org/employment/employeebenefits.aspx.

Work Environment:
Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires sitting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
 
Equal Opportunity:
King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.