HCV PROGRAM GENERALIST

HCV PROGRAM GENERALIST

Since 1952, the Housing Authority of St. Louis County (the Authority) has played a pivotal role in providing safe and affordable housing to St. Louis County residents. Our team takes pride in helping more than 7,000 eligible families find a place they can call home.

We are passionate about our mission to:
Provide decent, safe, and affordable housing.
Ensure equal housing opportunity.
Promote self-sufficiency; and
Improve the quality of life and economic vitality for low and moderate-income families.

We pursue our mission by using existing federal programs to the maximum extent feasible, by linking with other service providers, and by creating new opportunities of our own design.

In addition, our day-to-day activities help us meet our core objectives, which are to:
Deliver services safely, effectively, and efficiently.
Ensure residents, property owners, and employees feel respected during interactions with us.
Help our residents and families gain self-sufficiency through partnerships with other organizations in the community.
Expand access to desirable and affordable housing.

OUR CORE VALUES
At the Authority, we are guided by our core values, which are fundamental principles that shape our organization's culture, behavior, and decisions. Our commitment to the core values of service, respect, integrity, excellence, and collaboration helps us achieve our mission. If there is an alignment between your personal philosophy and the following core values, then we invite you to apply for an exciting new career with the Authority!

SERVICE:
We provide a vital service to residents and families. The quality of our operations is the expression of our commitment to our community. We work hard to serve our residents and families in a responsive, reliable, empathetic, and caring manner.

RESPECT:
We are supportive, compassionate, and courteous to our residents, property owners, community partners and teammates, and we treat them as valued partners in our service mission.

INTEGRITY:
In all circumstances, we do the right thing. We follow relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Our ethical, honest, and transparent actions are the foundation upon which we build trust with our residents, teammates, and community.

EXCELLENCE:
In our diligent pursuit of excellence, we are not satisfied with anything short of the highest standards of service, respect, and integrity. We think critically about our work, embrace innovation, and challenge the status quo. We are proactive in the performance of our duties and accept accountability for our work. We celebrate our successes and grow from our lessons learned.

COLLABORATION:
We nurture a work environment in which all team members have a voice. We act with transparency, help each other, and share information freely. We work together – teammates, residents, and communities – to build inclusive relationships and partnerships that enable us to fulfill our service mission.

JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Team Lead and HCV Director, the HCV Program Generalist acts as a crucial link and the initial point of contact for participants and property owners in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). This role involves offering guidance on participant eligibility, income verification, and rent calculations, while providing outstanding customer service to both participants and property owners. The HCV Program Generalist’s comprehensive knowledge of program regulations and dedication to program integrity is a key contributor to the successful administration of the HCVP, promoting access to safe and affordable housing for eligible individuals and families while nurturing a positive property owner relationship. This person will work and communicate with people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds
The omission of specific statements regarding duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment in association with this position.

PRINCIPAL ROLE AND RESPONSIBILTIES:
Deliver Services Safely, Effectively, and Efficiently
Investigate and resolve participant and property owner complaints, minimizing caseworker involvement.
Clearly explain eligibility criteria to applicants from waiting lists, special admissions, and port-ins, fostering understanding.
Document discussions and solutions in electronic records for future reference, maintain participants files.
Ensure Residents, Property Owners, and Employees Feel Respected During Interactions with Us
Serve as the primary point of contact for addressing inquiries tied to the HCV program, ensuring exceptional customer service.
Foster a culture of respect and professionalism in all interactions with program participants, property owners, and colleagues.
Cultivate positive relationships and effective communication among participants, property owners, and staff, skillfully addressing immediate concerns and offering comprehensive information.

Help Our Residents and Families Gain Self-Sufficiency
Function as a resource, delivering detailed information and support for residents and families in their decision-making processes.
Actively collaborate on process refinement and execution of assigned duties with the goal of enhancing service quality by creating a more participant-friendly experience.
Keep participants informed about changes in unit and voucher size, income adjustments, program timeliness, and utility allowances, allowing them to make well-informed financial decisions that promote stability.
Expand Access to Desirable and Affordable Housing
Identify and implement process improvements designed to reduce entry barriers, minimize disruptions to shorten waiting times, and enable participants to find relief more quickly and expedite their access to affordable housing.
During property owner interactions, foster positive relationships that can enhance their experiences and result in an expanded range of housing options for participants.
Maintain organized records and promptly filing information into participant files for efficient tracking of progress and ensures that participants’ details are readily accessible.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Ability to obtain professional certification (HCV Specialist) within first year 12 months of employment if not certified at hire.
Knowledge of the general operation and procedures of a Public Housing, Agency (PHA) laws, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the management of Housing Choice Voucher Program (preferred).
Prior experience with case management or apartment management; HCV call center (preferred).
Ability to interpret the federal HUD rules, regulations, and policies for compliance purposes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The HCV Program Generalist will primarily work within the office environment but may also engage in occasional physical tasks such as bending, reaching, sitting, and walking during the workday. This role may require the ability to lift items weighing at least 20 pounds. Moreover, the individual will also spend extended periods each day working on a personal computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable persons with physical disabilities to perform the job.

The Housing Authority of St. Louis County celebrates difference. All employment, including hiring, promoting, discipline or discharge at the Housing Authority of St. Louis County is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications related to professional competence. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants because of race, creed, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, medical condition veteran status, ethnicity, marital or family status or other legally protected status.

The Housing Authority of St. Louis County is an
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.