Job Summary
We are currently recruiting to fill two positions for Lead Housing Quality Inspector to plan, inspect, organize, coordinate and review the work of Housing Quality Standard (HQS) inspectors.
The individuals selected for this role will assist with the management of inspector caseloads, assigning and reviewing work and conducting quality control inspections. Explains program requirements to Housing Authority employees, owners, and tenants. Assists with the evaluation of noncompliance findings and determination of damages where warranted. Employee will also assist with work of HQS Inspectors inspecting private rental properties for federal and local housing quality standards (HQS). Travels to privately owned properties and conducts inspections on housing quality standards and determines eligibility for safe and sanitary housing. Prepares inspection and failure documentation and notifies owners of required improvements. Calculates rent reasonableness as compared to the market. Interprets policies and negotiates with landlords and tenants on rent and/or required repairs. Verifies completion of improvements. Multiple positions will be filled through this process.
Essential Functions
The Lead Housing Quality Inspector will:
- Recruit and select department personnel; assign, lead, train, and inspect the work of staff; recommend rewards and discipline; recommend transfers, promotions, demotions, suspensions, and terminations; assist in coaching, counseling, and evaluating staff performance; develop staff schedules; ensure deadlines for the department are met; supervise daily operations.
- Conduct thorough inspections of units by evaluating the exterior and interior for Federal and local HQS; determine eligibility for safe and sanitary housing; prepare inspection and failure documentation and notify owners of required improvements; calculate rent reasonableness; interpret policies and negotiate with landlords and tenants on rent and/or required repairs; verify completion of improvements.
- Review and respond to requests for rent increase; receive written requests; conduct research; assist as the next level of review in Rent Reasonable determination when the facilitator or Inspector assigned is unable to negotiate or determine rent; assess unreasonable rents; recommend approval or disapproval of the increase; help with Authority owned property determination.
- Negotiate and resolve disputes with clients, owners, and community and agency partners; support HQS Inspectors as an arbitrator in disputes between property owners, tenant, and staff.
- Respond to landlord inquiries regarding Section 8 program participation; explain housing inspection program to landlords, tenants, and community and agency partners; participate and present at community meetings and briefings as required; meet regularly with landlords and participants to address program issues and HQS regulations and complaints.
- Assign and monitor quality control audits in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) regulations and policy; help with maintaining documents, records, and reports of inspection results; make recommendations for staff training and correction based on audit findings.
- Direct and lead team in supervisor absence; ask for feedback from team members regarding technology and policies.
Qualifications and Competencies
Required Qualifications:
- Associate's Degree AND
- Considerable experience in housing programs/management with some management and supervisory experience OR
- An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of basic construction and maintenance/repair processes and materials.
- Ability to conduct a high volume of thorough inspections efficiently and effectively while applying detailed and comprehensive HQ standards; accurately document conditions that do not meet standards with clear and concise reports.
- Demonstrates responsible personal and professional conduct, which contributes to the overall mission and goals of KCHA; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work; ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Works effectively and efficiently to provide quality service to satisfy service expectations; seeks ways to improve service delivery; demonstrates strong project management skills.
- Applies effective written and verbal communication techniques to convey clear and timely messages to internal and external stakeholders; listens to people's ideas and concerns.
- Uses critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills to identify problems, analyze and evaluate various solutions, and monitor their effectiveness; keen observation skills to identify and resolve dwelling issues.
- Ability to explain complex or technical information regarding rules, rights, regulations, policies, procedures, programs, or services to answer questions, resolve problems, and communicate decisions or actions.
- Uses systems to organize, prioritize, and keep track of information and/or work in progress; maintains accurate and complete electronic and manual records; exhibits attention to detail; ability to multi-task in a high-pressure environment.
- Strong, positive interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively; remains professional, calm and tactful in stressful situations while adhering to a high standard of integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; knowledge of basic de-escalation and mediation skills.
- Values organizational diversity; treats other with respect; promotes cooperation; works effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educationally diverse populations.
- Proficiency using MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet; skill and ability to learn and use agency software housing management program (Tenmast).
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations in accordance with housing inspections and rent reasonable process.
Special Requirements:
- Consent to and pass a driver's and criminal records background check.
- Must possess a valid driver's license to travel between work sites as required. Must have an acceptable driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment.
Position Information and Application Process
Application Requirements:
To be considered for this opportunity, you must:
- Complete the online application profile in its entirety.
- Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. Be sure to include why you believe customer service and communication are essential in this position. (Cover Letter)
- Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)
Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary range for this position is $31.93 - $39.11 per hour dependent on qualifications and professional experience. The complete salary range for this position is $31.93 - $46.29 hourly. Performance based merit increase opportunities and COLAs are reviewed on an annual basis. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.
Work Environment:
Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather and environmental conditions and requires the operation of a motor vehicle to conduct inspections in the field. Incumbents frequently use standard office equipment including personal computers, telephone and related equipment, and mapping software.
Physical Environment:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work frequently standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires sitting, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Equal Opportunity:
King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.