Job Listing
Housing Specialist – Waitlist
Company:
Omaha Housing Authority
Industry:
Non-profit
Job title:
Housing Specialist – Waitlist
Job level:
Entry
Job description:
Join our Team at the Omaha Housing Authority!
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the community? Do you thrive in a collaborative and supportive environment? he Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) is looking for a dynamic administrative professional to assist our residents and help us fulfill our mission of providing safe and affordable housing.
About Us
Founded in 1935, the Omaha Housing Authority is a nonprofit government agency committed to enhancing the quality of life for low and moderate-income individuals. With over 2,700 public housing units and up to 4,300 Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers, we work diligently to ensure our residents have access to safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
Our Core Values
Teamwork: We work together to achieve our goals.
Welcoming: We create a supportive and inclusive environment.
Actively Listen: We focus, clarify, and communicate next steps.
We Build Trust: We do what we say we will do and assume good intent.
Diverse, Inclusive & Equitable: We embrace all identities and backgrounds.
De-Escalation: We manage conflicts calmly and effectively.
Exceptional: We strive for excellence in all we do.
Self-Care: We believe in the well-being of our team and ourselves.
Share Power: We empower each other and our community.
Why Work with Us?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
17 paid holidays, including your birthday, a floating holiday, and a self-care day
12 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year
Medical, dental, and vision benefits start the 1st of the month following date of hire
Life Insurance, Health & Dependent Care FSA, Allstate Voluntary Insurance, and Pet Insurance
401(a) retirement plan with a 5.5% match and 457 compensation plan
Salary Range
The hire rate is $19.43 per hour. This is a Union position.
Job Function
The responsibilities of this position include maintaining waiting lists, answering inquiries, and explaining regulations and procedures to the general public, voucher applicants, and participants. The role involves interviewing applicants and participants, verifying information, and assessing whether applicants and participants meet eligibility requirements. Additional tasks include tracking vouchers, calculating rents and tenant payments, processing various forms and documents, and preparing related correspondence and reports.
Essential Functions
Understands the policies, procedures, goals, objectives, requirements, and activities relevant to the assigned organizational entity of the Authority.
Establishes and maintains an electronic filing system for applications, certifications, and interim tasks. Verifies all data and changes reported by Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) applicants and participants. Accurately enters and retrieves data from the system, ensuring completeness and accuracy of information.
Processes and completes intake and leasing for portability, moderate rehabilitation, and additional programs as assigned for vouchers. Takes appropriate action regarding families using portability procedures within the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Assembles and verifies family composition and income to determine eligibility.
Maintains an accurate waiting list and learns program requirements to ensure that all necessary documents are included in applicant and tenant files according to established documentation requirements, file reviews, and audits.
Performs rent reasonableness tests to determine initial and renewal rents. Processes request for tenancy approvals for applicants and tenants, ensuring inspections occur before lease-up.
Accurately determines family share and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) and prepares correspondence for applicants, participants, and landlords.
Review new regulations to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
Keeps an organized workspace and prepares weekly/monthly reports for the HCV manager and HCV director.
Must thoroughly understand all aspects of the policies and procedures of the Authority, including admissions and continued occupancy policies, and effectively communicate this information to applicants and visitors.
May conduct home visits and on-site applications for prospective clients or residents.
Responds promptly, courteously, and professionally to inquiries via phone, email, or in writing from participants, landlords, the general public, or staff regarding the Section 8 program and established procedures.
Determines eligibility for applicants and continued participants through interviews, followed by verification of income, household composition, and criminal history.
Conducts mandatory briefings for all eligible adults, informing applicants and participants of the program’s basic rules and regulations, either individually or in group settings.
Processes all files accurately and in a timely manner according to the performance standards for the waiting list, special programs, and portability.
Maintains current and accurate waiting lists and records for all vouchers/units according to the separate performance standards for waiting lists, special programs, and portability.
Ensures participants are aware of and remain compliant with regulations, rules, and procedures.
Determines continued eligibility for portability through interviews and follow-up on verification of income and household composition.
Processes withdrawals from the waiting list, terminations, and cancellations consistently, in compliance with applicable HUD regulations and established PHA policies.
Provides exceptional customer service that meets or exceeds the expectations of both internal and external customers. Identifies and monitors customer needs, acting with a customer-driven mindset, and recognizes colleagues as customers.
Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views, and fosters a positive team spirit. Contributes to the success of the team above personal interests and supports everyone’s efforts.
Completes work reliably, accurately, and in a timely manner.
Proactively seeks solutions to unexpected challenges, actively assists others without formal or informal direction, and demonstrates a willingness to learn and receive developmental feedback.
Applies feedback for continued growth and masters concepts necessary for performing the work.
Carries out other assigned duties as needed.
Additional Responsibilities
May provide transportation for applicants or residents.
May assist with special projects.
May work evening and weekend hours.
May work in other areas of the HCV department as directed.
Perform other duties as required or assigned.
Qualifications
High School graduate and two year’s college education in human service, social work or related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two years actual work experience in a nonprofit agency, which included client service interaction. Ability to speak Spanish beneficial.
Incumbent must successfully complete OHA sponsored management certification courses within one year.
Must be able to communicate effectively with diverse personalities, be mature, tactful and professional.
Good knowledge of local agencies, property, stock and bond values and federal, state and city agency programs which are designed for low-income families.
Ability to understand oral and written instructions. Ability to make mathematical computations and compile statistical data and prepare reports.
Housing Choice Voucher Rent Calc, Developing and Managing Project Based Vouchers and Eligibility Certifications required. Incumbents are required to obtain Housing Choice Voucher Rent Calculation, Developing and Managing Project Based Vouchers and Eligibility Certifications within the first 18 months of employment. OHA will pay for training and testing for an employee’s first, and if necessary, second attempt to meet the certification requirements. If the employee fails both attempts, the employee is responsible for the costs of any further testing. Employee is to provide proof of the certification within the first 18 months of employment. Failure to meet the certifications within the 18-month time frame will result in removal from the position. Removal from the position may include and is not limited to the following: termination of employment, demotion, or transfer.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, consultants, contractors, HUD, local, state, federal officials; ability to communicate with people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises and involves considerable public contact. Frequent exposure to computer and screen for extended periods of time and occasional exposure to the weather (rain, snow, extreme heat & cold) when showing units or making home visits.
Abilities
Ability to sit, stand and walk up to 100% of the time; and reach stoop, squat, push, pull and type up to 25% of the time.
Ability to move objects weighing up to ten (10) pounds up to 33% of the time.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Equipment Operation
(Any one position may not use all of the tools and equipment listed nor do the listed examples comprise all of the tools and equipment that may be used in positions allocated to this classification)
Computer
Telephone
Copier
Calculator
Facsimile Machine
OHA is Committed to Equal Opportunity
Omaha Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws. Omaha Housing Authority is actively seeking diverse candidates and affirming of all identities.
Positions available:
1
Posted on:
June 23, 2025