FIELD REPRESENTATIVE HOUSING TRAINEE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Field Representative Housing Trainee Housing Assistance Program is a non-competitive state civil service title, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the stated education and experience.
On paper it calls for a bachelor's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $53,282 to $55,691, and state payroll currently lists about 19 people in the title, most of them at Community Affairs.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Field Representative Housing Trainee Housing Assistance Program appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Community Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Community Affairs | 19 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 19 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $51,480. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (19)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 the close supervision of a Principal Field Representative Housing, Housing Assistance Program or other higher level supervisory official , in the Department of Community Affairs, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training in activities necessary for enrolling and determining participant eligibility, preparing Housing Assistance Payments Contracts, recommending 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; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
As trainee and productive worker: Learns to instruct 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. Learns to evaluate dwellings to ensure compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards and makes recommendations to owners concerning required repairs or modifications to dwellings. Learns to negotiate leases and housing assistance payment contracts with rental property owners or their agents on behalf of program participants. Learns to compile required documentation such as participants' income verification, utility costs, medical expenses, evidence of disability status, and other required data. Learns to prepare 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. Learns to process requests for criminal background checks on existing and prospective 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. Learns to review credit report information on existing and prospective 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.
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, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the methods used to gather and analyze information. Ability to learn the housing laws applicable to rental housing units such as residential landlord/tenant law and relocation law. Ability to learn the various government agencies and departments that provide services to client populations in need. Ability to learn the various forms of public assistance including social security, welfare, disability, and medical assistance. Ability to learn the techniques and procedures for inspecting and evaluating rental units. Ability to learn the health and safety standards applicable to rental housing including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and structural requirements. Ability to learn the methods used by mental health agencies in the deinstitutionalization process. Ability to learn the existing rental housing market situation in the assigned project area. Ability to learn the state and local laws governing tenant and landlord relations. Ability to learn the regulations, policies, procedures, housing quality standards and objectives of Section 8 Existing Housing Program. Ability to learn the local rent control ordinances and rent leveling procedures. Ability to learn the real estate practices and contracts as they apply to the leasing and operation of rental housing. Ability to learn the methods for obtaining information regarding finances and other pertinent information relevant to the situation. Ability to learn the methods for reviewing/evaluating information in relation to eligibility criteria/determining course of action. Ability to learn how to evaluate services rendered by owners of rental properties as stipulated in lease agreements. Ability to learn how to represent the program at hearings conducted on a local level. Ability to learn how 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 learn how 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 learn how to implement an effective plan for the coordination of activities toward the goals implied in the Housing Assistance Payments Program. Ability to learn how to collect, compile, and make accurate appraisals of factual information relating to the implementation of Housing Assistance Programs. Ability to learn how 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 accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. ADVANCEMENT: Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for advancement to the Field Representative Housing, Housing Assistance Program title, in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
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. 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. Four (4) years of professional experience which includes client intake review requiring participant eligibility determinations and/or field duties requiring facility eligibility determinations in one (1) of the following: Working in a Housing Authority; working as a property manager with oversight of Low-income tax credit properties and/or Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded subsidized units; working with a social service agency or other governmental agency that provides various types of public assistance to specific client populations (e.g. Temporary Rental Assistance (TRA), Emergency Rental Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ). OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. "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.