Housing Specialist

Make a difference and join the DCA Team!  DCA gives employees more to do than merely make a living.  We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement.  If public service, a great environment, and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivate you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.  

OUR MISSION

To help build strong, vibrant communities.

OUR VISION

For Georgians of today and tomorrow to have the opportunity to live and work in thriving communities.

OUR CULTURE

DCA is dedicated to helping build strong, vibrant communities. We are a diverse team of highly competent and committed professionals who strive to help people and communities thrive through technical expertise, innovative thinking and a passion for making a difference.  Team members are at their best when collaborating and supporting each other as they perform challenging and dynamic work.  We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement. If public service and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivates you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a state organization dedicated to partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses. DCA offers a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic environment that requires attention to detail, pride in quality of work, and the ability to work as a versatile team player.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The HCV Transition Support Specialist is housed within the Special Programs Team within the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Division, reporting to an HCV Senior Housing Specialist. The role will play a critical role in supporting a statewide initiative to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and living with behavioral health disabilities with obtaining housing through access to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, including individuals transitioning from the Georgia Housing Voucher Program (GHVP) administered by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). This role supports an interagency partnership between DCA and DBHDD aimed at improving housing stability and access to permanent supportive housing.

It is one of two positions within the DCA being funded by DBHDD to support the agencies’ close partnership. The positions will share statewide responsibilities, working collaboratively to streamline provider support, manage referrals, and ensure efficient case transitions. The positions will provide coverage when their counterpart is out of office to avoid disruptions in any programmatic processes.

Candidates should be passionate about housing and making a positive impact in the lives of their fellow Georgians.

*This position is term-limited to an initial 12-month period, with the possibility of renewal on an annual basis, subject to funding availability and performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Referral Management: Track incoming provider referrals, ensure correct routing, and help identify solutions when and where needed. Certify initial eligibility, move, and interim certifications for DBHDD referral applicants. Determines and verifies income, assets, citizenship, medical expenses, and other eligibility requirements. Maintain communication with providers and internal teams within DCA’s Housing Choice Voucher Division and the DBHDD Office of Supportive Housing.

• Provider Support & Communication: Serve as a primary point of contact for providers, addressing general inquiries and reducing the need for case-by-case escalations to leadership. Maintains effective communication with applicants, and property owner/managers to explain program regulations. Position will serve as a subject matter expert.

• Case Expediting: Identify urgent cases, escalate them as needed, and facilitate timely responses to providers. Conduct timely review of case files. Ensure that all files conform to HUD and DCA Administrative Plan. Complete Rent Reasonable comparison to ensure that units do not exceed comparable units. Prepare and submit documents to assist in the finalization of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

• Process Coordination: Support the transition process by maintaining case records, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with DCA and DBHDD teams to streamline workflows. Coordinate with the inspections team the need for initial inspections. Scan information received from files into appropriate computerized client files in a timely manner.

• Help Desk & Technical Assistance: Respond to provider inquiries through platforms such as ZenDesk and manage support tickets to resolve issues efficiently.

• Provider Follow-ups & Office Hours: Conduct bi-weekly office hours for provider support, address outstanding concerns, and assist in troubleshooting challenges in the transition process.

• Meeting Participation: Attend both DCA and DBHDD team meetings. Represent the initiative in DBHDD and DCA meetings to ensure alignment, share updates, and provide feedback on ongoing challenges and successes.

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Track and report on referral volumes, response times, and transition outcomes to support data-driven decision-making.

• Training & Outreach: Participate in and facilitate trainings for providers and stakeholders to enhance understanding of the transition process and ensure best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Experience in housing programs, case management, or provider support, preferably within government or nonprofit sectors.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, public administration, business administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with providers, internal teams, and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the HCV program, GHVP, and housing transition processes is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data tracking systems, and customer support platforms (e.g., ZenDesk).
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time for trainings and meetings.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrable oral and written communication skills
• Have existing knowledge or business relationships with key industry stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to represent the Office, Division and Agency as a subject matter expert at conferences, grand openings, and other public events
• Liaise with other internal business groups in pursuit of cross-department info sharing and development
• Ability to develop, review, and analyze formal written presentations relating to a variety of complex issues involving portfolio compliance oversight
• Ability to respond appropriately in challenging situations and serve as a resource to team members and internal/external stakeholders
• Ability to develop policies and procedures that result in operating efficiencies and minimize risk

WORKING CONDITIONS (TRAVEL, HOURS, ENVIRONMENT)

This position is currently designated as an in-office position.  This position is term-limited to an initial 12-month period, with the possibility of renewal on an annual basis, subject to funding availability and performance.

PHYSICAL / SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Work is principally stationary, but the person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., and constantly operate a computer and other office equipment.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

Must be able to perform office-related duties.

Must be able to operate office equipment.

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, and community agencies and other entities that provide services.

Must be able to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.

Must maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.

NOTE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided.  Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process.  Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.  This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

DCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need accommodation for an interview, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 679-4845

Hiring is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, criminal records investigation and motor vehicle reports.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the business and requirement of the job change.  This job posting may close at any time upon gaining a sufficient applicant pool from which to select a qualified candidate.

All duties and responsibilities listed are considered to be essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Marginal functions of the position (those that are incidental to the performance of the job duties) have not been included.   However, the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.