SENIOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE TECHNICIAN

Code: 07463 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction takes the lead over one or more housing assistance technicians in reviewing information, interviewing/investigating tenants/participants to determine eligibility for public housing or housing assistance programs (for example, partial payment for housing rental, and obtaining suitable living quarters), informing them of regulations affecting their rights/obligations as tenants, performing the difficult work involved in providing housing assistance to tenants/participants; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead over other housing assistance technicians.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Reviews occupancy policy of local agency and/or housing sponsor and recommends action for improvement or correction of deficiencies.
• Reviews rent schedule for compliance with agency requirements.
• Participates with management in review of housing assistance plans/programs and makes recommendations as to the feasibility and/or improvement of such plans/programs.
• Advises and assists other technicians regarding such matters as income limits of program participants, family income certification, program eligibility criteria, and resident grievance procedures.
• Participates in the development and conducting of training programs for technicians.
• Explains to applicants or program participant (landlord, tenant, and so forth) the purpose of program and agency requirements for eligibility and procedures of application/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 visit and/or in the office asks/answers applicant or program participant specific questions relative to application form used for gathering pertinent information to assist applicant complying with application procedures.
• Talks with, listens to, and discusses with applicant regarding questions on the application form.
• May be required to write/enter answers on form to complete application form for client.
• Scans application form to determine if form is complete.
• Hands out information concerning program.
• Talks to and asks/answers question of applicant regarding eligibility information given on application and suggests ways to secure evidence that applicant does not have to verify eligibility information.
• Converses with applicant about social services needs, using knowledge of available community resources for financial and social welfare assistance to provide applicant with referral information.
• Talks with supervisory or senior staff asking technical questions concerning eligibility requirements, application processing, and financial assistance to obtain explanation/clarification of presented problems.
• Examines information on application form, along with other information supplied by applicant and/or public agency/outside source relative to standard eligibility requirements to determine if applicant is eligible.
• Enters notation of action on application from to make and record decision to approve, disapprove, or hold approval in abeyance.
• Makes computations of financial assistance (for example, subsidy) 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.
• Contacts sources (for example, employer, previous place of residence, private/public agencies) to verify application information.
• Computes amount, counts money or accepts check, and records amount to secure deposit or rent from selected applicant.
• Discusses/answers questions about program(s) and other available community resources to provide information necessary 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 listening and suggesting changes in problem behavior patterns and describing alternate sources of action to help individuals achieve a resolution to problems experienced.
• Reviews contract agreement between parties taking into account requirements of the programs, tenant need, or government regulations to explain/discuss responsibilities of individuals involved in leasing, rental, or other legal agreement.
• Talks about terms of contract (lease agreement) to explain conditions relative to lessor-lessee obligations; for example, amount of rent, repair and maintenance, deposit, and other aspects.
• Reviews and analyzes data concerning area rental rates, turnover/vacancy rates, and so forth to provide administrative staff with recommendations for changes in operating procedures or program services.
• Updates status information on tenant (for example, termination, changes in income and subsidy assistance amounts).
• Issues payment to client for program participation based on information contained in case file.
• Performs clerical work such as compiling listings of available rental properties, space, applicants, and assistance program participants.
• Provides tenants/landlords with information pertaining to landlord/tenant laws, rent regulation ordinances, and other regulations affecting their rights/obligations.
• Contacts various sources to obtain verification of information provided by applicant/program participant.
• Determines applicant's/participant's 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 information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in securing and verifying information and making determinations or recommendations pertaining to such matters as 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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of requirements/guidelines for eligibility and procedures for applying for housing assistance.
• Knowledge of which items should be completed on form.
• Knowledge of procedures used in disseminating informational materials.
• Knowledge of eligibility factors and sources of information that are used to establish eligibility under program regulations/procedures.
• Knowledge of the type of social services available in the community after a period of training.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic involving decimals and percentages.
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures for composing notification letter.
• Knowledge of program(s), services, and procedures for applying for rental assistance (subsidized housing, public housing, leased housing, and so forth).
• Knowledge of procedures/practices pertaining to the selection process, eligibility criteria, and rental and income limitations contained in programs after a period of training.
• Knowledge of records management procedures to select and assemble information for administrative staff.
• Knowledge of problems commonly encountered by tenants (financial, tenant-landlord) and their solutions.
• Knowledge of rent adjustment procedures, tenant relocating process/procedures, leasing agreement procedures, habitability standards/inspections, minimum housing standards/inspection, 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 evaluate information and to prepare summaries.
• Ability to understand and interpret questions pertaining to application form.
• Ability to give guidance, instructions, and training to other employees.
• Ability to be tactful and courteous in interviewing people.
• Ability to analyze various facts and summarize/interpret such information in oral or written forms.
• Ability 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 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 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.

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.