Listing Summary

Housing Rehabilitation Specialist

Posting:  Open until filled

Salary:  Commensurate with experience

Housing Rehabilitation Specialist, Senior

Under general supervision, the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist Senior works with the Housing Rehabilitation division on the various federally or locally funded housing rehabilitation and construction programs for low-income households. Programs may include: Owner Occupied Rehabilitation, Limited Repair, Emergency Repair, Tree Removal, Roof Repair, Commercial and Residential Exterior Façade Improvement, Lead Safe Atlanta, Multifamily Loan Pool, Single Family Development Loan Pool, and Project Based Rental Assistance. Receives general supervision from the Construction & Contracts Coordinator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Assists homeowners, as needed, with the preparation of materials and applications for rehabilitation program(s)
• Conducts initial inspections of properties with the property owners to determine the scope of work, which may include identifying all work necessary to bring the property up to Housing Quality Standards (HQS) or Uniform Physical Condition Standard (UPCS)  
• Prepares written scope of work, rehabilitation specifications and cost estimates based on the initial inspection.
• Conducts pre-bid walk-through for interested contractors, obtains bids to perform the needed work and participates in the evaluation of contractor bids.
• Review of Construction Contracts
• Apply proper inspection techniques to examine the quality of work and materials and detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction practices.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of current methods, materials and standards used in the construction trade; develops and maintains current data on materials and labor costs.
• Recommends and approves change orders.
• Serves as a liaison between the contractor and homeowner by coordinating needed activities and ensuring benchmarks are met.
• Approves progress payments and ensures timely payments are delivered to contractors
• Certifies satisfactory completion of work. 
• Conduct annual inspections of occupied rental units to determine if the unit is in compliance with HQS
• Complete and maintain a variety of project files and compliance documents on a computer, prepare reports, documentation, and correspondence
• Communicates effectively with a diverse population and conducts themselves in a manner that empathizes with the social complexities of low- and moderate-income clients.  
• Regularly reviews the various rehabilitation program policies and procedures and recommends appropriate changes
• Coordinates environmental review compliance of HUD-funded activities
• Additional responsibilities as required in a complex and changing work environment.

 Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• HUD regulations related to housing rehabilitation and lead-based paint regulations.
• Building construction, maintenance rehabilitation, as well as considerable knowledge of housing improvement methods, energy efficiency standards, materials and standards used by the building industry.

Ability to:

• Understand and explain the requirements of locally approved building codes, plumbing codes, electrical codes, fire prevention codes, Life Safety Code and HUD Section 8 Housing Quality Standards.
• Inspect crawl spaces, attics, cellars, and work in confined/cramped body positions; inspect buildings from ladders and scaffolding; inspect surfaces that may be slippery; and work in high concentrations of dust and sawdust in remodeling sites and newly insulated buildings.
• Plan and organize a considerable volume of work with a variety of detail, technical, and clerical work on a long and short-term basis.
• Speak and write effectively and to appear before the public to present and discuss programs in connection with the work.
• Prepare and submit clear and concise reports, memos, and other correspondence.
• Read, interpret and apply complex regulations.
• Enforce necessary regulations with firmness and tact
• Keep abreast of current construction standards, codes, and regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications – Education and Experience

High School degree, vocational school, and/or college-level related work is preferred

AND

Two years of experience as a building contractor, which included remodeling or rehabilitation work

OR

Two years of experience performing building inspection work for conformance to the uniform building codes, which includes experience preparing cost estimates and bid specifications

OR

Two years of experience performing comparable work in a Housing Rehabilitation Program

Experience with publicly funded projects is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

Possess a current Risk Assessor Certification or the ability to obtain certification within 6 months of hire.

Possession of a valid driver’s license is mandatory.  

Work Environment

The incumbent performs inspections in varying weather conditions and is exposed to the normal hazards associated with the construction trade.