Housing Inspector Landlord Engagement Specialist

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace. 

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives.  Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce, and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships. 

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you. 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION  OF  WORK 

This Housing Inspector Landlord Engagement Specialist will work as a part of the Housing and Supportive Services team, serving clients in our Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive housing programs.   These programs provide financial assistance and support services to individuals and families who are homeless and residing in Douglas, Sarpy, or Pottawattamie Counties.  The Housing Inspector Landlord Engagement Specialist will conduct Housing Quality Inspections and assist program participants in leasing approved units. 

Performs highly technical & skilled functions with specific training & aptitudes.  Requires daily decision making & public contact.

Compensation: between $17.94 and $21.40 per hour (based on total years of relevant experience)
Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week

• *Outreach to landlords and property managers within the community to inform them of the programs and recruit prospective landlords who are willing to work with program participants
• *Able to negotiate leases and problem solve any barriers to program participants obtaining housing
• *Maintain regular contact with existing or previous landlords to keep eligibility information up to date and maintain positive working relationships
• *Maintain an updated database of all participating landlords and relevant property information and applicant eligibility criteria
• *Locate unit vacancies and maintain up to date database of available units on a daily basis, including ensuring that identified units meet the needs of program participants
• *Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
• *Schedule and perform initial, special, and annual inspections of all housing units into which a program participant will be living.
• Carries out lead Inspections per specific program guidelines.
• Carries out ‘Housing Quality Standards’ and ‘Habitability’ Inspections.
• Provides training to other staff with inspections as needed.
• *Determine compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards, document deficiencies and file written reports. Follow up with owners as necessary.
• *Determine if the proposed rent is under fair market requirements and reasonable based on the condition of the unit, the neighborhood, and any other information available.
• *Perform reinspection to ensure required repairs are completed
• *Maintain an updated database for use of determining rent reasonableness
• *Maintain updated records on all landlords, including ensuring that a ROI and W-9 are on file an updated.
• *Provide referrals of updated listing of available housing units to program staff
• *Work is completed in community settings. Travel is required, including use of personal vehicle.
• *Maintains proper documentation of inspections.
• Is able to work both independently, with little supervision, and as a part of a team.
• Able to establish regularity and dependability in scheduling all appointments and accuracy in reports and statistics.
• Displays a courteous and caring attitude at all times to the clientele, volunteers, and visitors of the Agency.
• *Assist with matching units to participants who are searching for housing
• *Coordinate with PSH Case Managers to identity available units and landlords for new clients or existing clients seeking new housing, including maintaining weekly contact with staff and the PSH program coordinator and updating the client database.
• *Work with Housing Advocates and landlords to identify creative solutions to address housing needs of program participants
• Abides by all specific program and Agency procedures, policies, and requirements.
• Cooperates and collaborates with program area staff, volunteers, and other Agency staff.
• Is dependable and punctual regarding scheduling and attendance
• Able to evaluate program services and make recommendations.
• Develops personal and program related skills through participation in internal and external training opportunities including printed material and audio and/or visual media.
• Is able to develop positive working relationships with clients, referral sources, service agencies, landlords, and others encountered in the course of work.
• *Create, maintain and share as appropriate a dynamic self-care plan.
• Strive to make connections between the agency and the larger community whenever possible in order to contribute to the agency’s ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
• Essential functions of this job are to be performed on company physical work site
• Performs other program related duties as assigned.

*DENOTES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS