Functioning for 70 years, the Housing Authority of Joliet (HAJ) has been at the forefront and steadfastly committed to bringing exceptional housing services and programs to the people of the City of Joliet, and surrounding Will County communities.
The The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Specialist provides essential case management and administrative services to HCV program participants and landlords. This role ensures strict compliance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) indicators, and the Housing Authority of Joliet (HAJ) operational policies and procedures.
Essential Functions
Eligibility & Intake: Schedule, interview, and process applicants seeking housing assistance; verify household composition, income, background checks, and references to determine program eligibility; explain application processes and formally notify applicants of admission or denial.
Briefings & Onboarding: Conduct comprehensive program briefings and orientation sessions for newly admitted participants and clients.
Leasing & Contracting: Facilitate housing assistance payment (HAP) contracts, execute lease agreements, calculate accurate rent portions, and act as a primary liaison to resolve landlord and tenant inquiries.
Recertifications: Conduct accurate and timely annual and interim recertifications for assigned caseloads driven by changes in family income or composition, ensuring completion at least 30 days prior to the effective date in strict compliance with HUD and HAJ policies.
Caseload Management: Maintain accurate, organized physical and electronic applicant/client files, documenting all correspondence, complaints, updates, and program actions in accordance with record retention protocols.
Financial & Operational Tracking: Prepare monthly tracking reports, complete and submit adjusted disbursement sheets detailing specific actions/changes, and maintain detailed logs of suppressed monthly HAP payments (including owner name, client name, contract number, and reason for suppression).
Communication & Support: Respond professionally to inquiries from applicants, participants, and landlords; draft and distribute necessary agency correspondence.
Other Duties: Perform additional operational tasks and duties as assigned by management.
Job Competencies & Success Factors
Regulatory Knowledge: Strong comprehension of HUD regulations, local housing authority rules, and the legal frameworks governing lease agreements and housing programs.
Analytical Skills: Proficiency in intermediate mathematical calculations to accurately compute tenant rent portions, utility allowances, and housing subsidies.
Organization & Multitasking: Proven ability to manage a high-volume caseload, organize multiple competing priorities, and effectively multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Forward Planning: Ability to think ahead, anticipate operational challenges, and contribute to workflow planning.
Technical Proficiency: Strong computer skills, including fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and dedicated housing authority data systems.
Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to explain complex legal and regulatory jargon to a diverse audience.
Core Values: A strong commitment to organizational excellence, housing equity, and agency values.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or…