Housing Advisor

DISTINGUISHING FACTORS

Under guidance of the Housing Manager this policy driven, customer intensive position works directly with all tenants and participants to advise, communicate, and educate the compliance requirements of leases and contracts entered into by tenants and participants of KIHA programs and properties. The Incumbent performs all actions in accordance with regulations and policies and seeks guidance on any variance from such. Position calculates initial and ongoing rent, generates and delivers notices, provides initial, interim, and final inspections, generates customer requested work orders, and professionally and comprehensively answers policy, lease, and contract questions of Tenants and Participants. Position will be a professional liaison between the tenants, participants, and the agency and must have the ability to maintain a cooperative, communicative relationship with all applicants, tenants, and the public.

In addition, this position assists the occupancy department in performing all other necessary occupancy functions.

What You Will Be Doing

1. Responsible to be professional liaison between tenants and the Housing Authority; Responsible for maintaining a cooperative relationship, and for communicating clearly and effectively with Tenants.
2. Responsible to advise tenants (provide explanation, clarification, and interpretation) on all Enterprise, NAHASDA Income assisted rentals, and Mutual Help program requirements, policies, and tenant Lease or Homebuyer Agreements. Responsible to know and understand Alaska Landlord Tenant Act provisions; required to enforce and implement policy actions on tenant accounts.
3. Assists with the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Student Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) in accordance with program policy; Responsible to Ensure Lease arrangements are made between the Tenant and Landlord; Rental payment agreement is made between KIHA and Landlord, and Tenant contract/ Affidavit of Assistance between Tenant and KIHA.
4. Responsible to advise and educate tenants on tenant account documents: Ledger, invoices, rent calculation worksheets, etc.
5. Responsible for understanding all Rental assistance programs, Lease to own (Mutual Help), and homebuyer programs of the Housing authority; guide applicants and tenants to proper programs according to their needs and eligibility determinants.
6. Responsible for re-examining and recertifying HUD program participant incomes when circumstances dictate an increase or decrease of rent or house payments in accordance with HUD regulations and KIHA policies; Responsible for timely determination and notification of rent or house payment changes to participants and timely completion of Family Report (50058 forms-Monthly recertification).
7. Responsible for performing comprehensive and un biased unit move-in, move-out, and interim inspections, documentation, and follow-up of noted findings.
8. Responsible to provide new tenant orientations and familiarize tenants/homebuyers with the overall operation of equipment in KIHA-owned units.
9. Responsible for closing all tenant and homebuyer accounts after tenants move out. Responsible to appropriately charge for repairs/damages, etc. as identified by facilities, and to inform tenants/homebuyers about any deductions from Security Deposits/Equity accounts for repairs, damages, or unpaid rent/house payments.
10. Responsible for comprehensive and accurate recordkeeping of all Applicant, Participant, and Tenant data in HDS.
11. Responsible for submitting Tenant requests for maintenance service to the facilities department through the HDS work order system.
12. Assists Housing Advocate with processing applications and prompt notification to applicants of eligibility or ineligibility in accordance with Admissions and Occupancy policy or other applicable program admission policies; Provide back up for Advocate and receptionist positions.
13. Responsible for working professionally and effectively with internal and external partners, applicants, tenants, and participants; Responsible for providing respectful and timely customer service; Responsible for developing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with other social services programs in the community.
14. Responsible for knowing and understanding programs and services in the community that may assist program applicants in meeting eligibility standards.
15. Assist other Housing staff with customer interaction needs; witnessing interactions, meetings, and appeals; attend applicant interviews; review ongoing eligibility documents.
16. Responsible for ensuring file records are in compliance with federal requirements and Housing Authority policy requirements and are ready for the annual audit. (Requires final approval from the Housing Manager).
17. Responsible for adhering to all to all laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
18. Required travel aboard small aircraft to remote villages on Kodiak Island.
19. Responsible for promoting a safe and drug free work environment.
20. Other duties as assigned by the Housing Manager or Housing Director.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Must develop and maintain effective and professional working relationships with other social services programs in the community for the benefit of Tenants.
• Must develop functional working relationships with Tenants.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• • Must possess a High School diploma or the equivalent
  • Must have one year of experience working in public housing, or similar work experience in senior housing, property management, mortgage lending or other work experience will be considered.
  • Must be proficient in basic math operations.
  • Must be honest and fair with all people of all walks of life and life circumstances
  • Must be sensitive to and able to maintain complete confidentiality regarding client details
  • Must be able to work accurately and independently with minimum supervision
  • Must be highly organized, able to schedule work and meet deadline requirements
  • Must be able to effectively work and communicate with persons of various                         backgrounds and skills. Must be able to explain complex policies and requirements to housing participants in a manner that does not intimidate or confuse them
  • Must have a good command of the English language and be able to speak, read, and write English
  • Must have exceptional communication skills; both oral and written
  • Must have ability to understand technical regulations and policies governing housing programs, and apply them fairly and accordingly
  • Must be able to maintain calm professionalism when dealing with confrontational applicants, tenants and/or issues
  • Must be proficient with Microsoft Word and IBM-compatible computers & programs
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel is a plus
  • Must be willing to travel to remote villages on Kodiak Island
  • Must have, or obtain a State of Alaska Driver’s License and meet KIHA’s vehicle liability insurance requirements.
  • Must not have a criminal background; background screening will be conducted
  • Must be able to successfully pass pre-employment drug screening and random on-going drug screening

  Kodiak Island Housing Authority is an Equal Housing Opportunity Employer.  This position is subject to the Alaska Native/American Indian employment preference under Section 7(b) of the Native American/Alaska Native Housing and Self-Determination Act, and Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S. C. 1701U) and Regulations in 24 CFR part 135.

COMPENSATION

Status:             Non-exempt

Salary Range:   31 $42,434-$60,797 DOE

Benefits:          Fringe benefits offered