Assistant Section 8 Housing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSSIBLE HYBRID WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIY

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

This position is on HCR's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). HTFC is a public benefit corporation, and a Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

Job Summary:

HCR’s Section 8 Performance Based Contract Administrator (“PBCA”) team provides local oversight and stewardship of more than 100,000 apartments that have Project Based Section 8 Contracts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This portfolio includes properties that have also been financed under various HCR loan and subsidy programs including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, as well as the Mitchell-Lama program and more.

Under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner for Rental Assistance, this position will lead the federal Section 8 Performance Based Contract Administrator (“PBCA”) team within HCR. This is a key role within the agency, managing HCR’s relationship with the HUD Multifamily Asset Management team in New York State, leading a team of HCR and subcontractor staff, and, critically, identifying policies and processes to enhance HCR’s oversight of this critical source of affordable housing for over 100,000 households across the state. This also includes coordinating internally with HCR’s Asset Management and Multifamily finance team to address challenges at properties.

As the PBCA for New York State, HTFC currently oversees almost a thousand affordable properties, delivering more than $2 billion annually in federal Section 8 Project Based Rental Assistance on behalf of. The Director will engage PBCA stakeholders, including owner/agents and tenants, while carrying out a quality control and compliance strategy, and implementing special projects for the PBCA portfolio. The PBCA Director is responsible for the timely completion of required tasks for the PBCA Annual Contributions Contract (“ACC”) in compliance with federal requirements. The Director will report on team goals, make policy decisions, and elevate to the Assistant Commissioner when necessary.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management

• Supervise staff in Syracuse, Albany and New York City and engage the agency’s senior leadership on behalf of the PBCA team.
• Manage HTFC’s subcontractor, CGI; work closely with their management team to develop systems and procedures to deliver the required ACC tasks, including responding to health and safety complaints, conducting Management and Occupancy Reviews (“MORs”), administering Housing Assistance Payments, processing contract renewals, submitting the monthly invoice and other required tasks.
• Periodically reassess HTFC’s approach to deliver PBCA tasks and recommend changes to staff and subcontractor roles as necessary to improve residents’ experience, condition of PBCA properties, compliance and responsiveness.
• Work in partnership with the subcontractor and HTFC Finance staff to draw federal Section 8 funds and provide for the smooth, timely delivery of monthly Housing Assistance Payments.
• Travel within New York State on a regular basis and to Washington DC as necessary.
• Participate in trainings as necessary and develop a training plan for the PBCA staff.
• Establish appropriate internal controls to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; encourage employees to report fraud and provide a clear process for doing so; maintain an ongoing dialogue with HUD to detect and prevent fraud; comply with recommendations resulting from any audits and internal control reviews.

Monitor Portfolio Health

• Review data on financial and physical health of PBCA portfolio and share findings with HUD and HCR’s Asset Management teams.
• Identify health and safety issues, and other call center inquiries, that require additional follow-up; coordinate with HUD and CGI to facilitate action and resolution with owners/agents, tenants, advocates, etc.
• Coordinate with HCR’s Asset Management team on properties with physical condition issues that have received financing from HCR. Participate in problem solving with Asset Management, owner and HCR’s Multifamily Finance team.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage staff in the Multifamily office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) to carry out the tasks of the ACC and remain current on new requirements; address management and compliance issues at PBCA properties in partnership with HUD in a timely manner.
• Regularly engage and maintain ongoing and productive relationships with owners, agents, tenant associations, advocates, national associations and other State PBCAs. Serve as a leader among other PBCAs in identifying and replicating best practices

ACC Duties

• Establish a measurable quality control (“QC”) strategy for the subcontractor to ensure compliance with federal requirements and timely and accountable service to tenants and landlords; establish a quantitative metrics report and provide measurable QC results in each required ACC task at least quarterly to the Assistant Commissioner and to HCR’s senior leadership.

Special Projects

• Lead staff and agency partners in the implementation of special projects that add value to the PBCA portfolio; This includes the selection of properties and administration of grant/loan funds for the Preservation Weatherization Plus (“P+) initiative; oversight of HTFC’s Family Self Sufficiency pilot program; coordinating with other program areas within HCR and other state/local agencies to preserve affordability; conducting annual satisfaction surveys; other initiatives as assigned.
• Coordinate with HUD to facilitate the 8bb transfer of budget authority when PBCA properties opt out; retain federal Section 8 budget authority within the New York portfolio.

Federal Policy

• Assist with drafting proposals to HUD in response to any future federal procurements or competitive solicitations for the PBCA contract; make recommendations to senior leadership regarding fees; collect information to make the strongest case for HTFC.
• Remain current on new and revised Section 8 rules and regulations issued by HUD.
• Act as program liaison for external program reviews from HUD and other program audits.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 7 years-experience in Section 8 PBCA or other federal housing program or oversight/asset management of affordable housing rental portfolios.
• Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.
• Knowledge of Section 8 rules and requirements.
• Solid written and oral communication skills.
• Previous management and supervisory experience.
• Travel is required for this job
• Ability to establish effective working relationships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE RESUME AND COVER LETTER

WHAT WE OFFER AT NYS HCR:

• Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
• Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals
• Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays
• Opportunity for compressed scheduling
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Family Leave
• As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employer.

ABOUT NEW YORK STATE HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL:

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders.

Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies.

New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)