Admissions and Eligibility Specialist

Employment Opportunity

Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (SRHA) is seeking a detail-oriented, customer-focused Admissions & Eligibility Specialist to support the admissions process for applicants seeking assistance through SRHA's Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs. This role is a strong fit for someone who is organized, deadline-driven, and comfortable working with applicants, documentation, eligibility rules, and sensitive information.

Under the supervision of the Housing Operations Director, this full-time position  manages the applicant lifecycle from waiting-list activity and applicant selection through eligibility determination, admissions processing, incoming portability, and handoff to ongoing program staff. The role helps ensure applicants and incoming portability families are processed accurately, consistently, and in compliance with HUD requirements and SRHA policies.

Salary Range: $21.32 - $30.79 per hour

Key Responsibilities
·         Administer and maintain Public Housing and HCV waiting lists in accordance with HUD regulations, SRHA policies, and applicable selection procedures.

·         Select applicants based on established criteria, including date and time of application, preferences, priorities, bedroom size, and other applicable requirements.

·         Notify selected applicants, schedule eligibility interviews and appointments, track responses, and follow up regarding required documentation and deadlines.

·         Conduct eligibility interviews and review household composition, income, assets, deductions, expenses, screening information, and required documentation.

·         Determine applicant eligibility, appropriate bedroom size, income limits, and admission readiness in accordance with HUD regulations, SRHA's ACOP, HCV Administrative Plan, and agency procedures.

·         Prepare and issue eligibility, ineligibility, denial, appointment, documentation, and other required applicant notices.

·         Process eligible applicants through Public Housing admissions, including briefings, orientation, admission documentation, coordination with property management, and file handoff.

·         Process eligible applicants through HCV admissions, including applicant briefings, voucher issuance, required documentation, and transfer to ongoing HCV staff.

·         Receive and process incoming portability requests, coordinate with initial housing authorities, maintain portability records, and support timely billing and documentation.

·         Maintain complete and accurate applicant and portability files, data entry, notes, verifications, notices, and documentation in agency systems.

·         Prepare applicant statistics, waiting-list information, admissions data, portability activity, billing information, and other reports as requested.

·         Work professionally with applicants, residents, participants, landlords, agency staff, property management staff, and other housing authorities while protecting confidentiality and ensuring fair, consistent treatment.

Qualifications
·         High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Housing, Social Services, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.

·         Minimum of two (2) years of progressive experience in Public Housing, HCV programs, housing eligibility, waiting-list administration, property management, public assistance, benefits administration, or a related field preferred.

·         Experience determining income and asset eligibility, conducting eligibility interviews, processing admissions, or maintaining applicant files preferred.

·         Experience with HUD regulations, HUD-50058, EIV, housing management software, HCV portability, or housing program requirements preferred.

·         Knowledge of Public Housing and HCV eligibility, admissions, waiting-list administration, portability, income and asset verification, occupancy standards, and applicant screening procedures preferred.

·         Ability to interpret and apply HUD regulations, notices, guidance, SRHA policies, ACOP, HCV Administrative Plan, and applicable fair housing and confidentiality requirements.

·         Strong organization, time management, documentation, data entry, customer service, written communication, and verbal communication skills.

·         Ability to manage a high volume of applicant files, competing deadlines, sensitive information, and applicant questions with professionalism and sound judgment.

·         Proficiency with Microsoft Office, housing management software, and applicable HUD systems preferred.

·         Must obtain applicable housing occupancy or eligibility certification within a reasonable period established by SRHA, if required.

·         Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required for insurability on the Authority's plan.

Work Environment and Conditions of Employment
This is primarily an office-based position with regular interaction with applicants, residents, participants, landlords, agency staff, property management staff, and the public. The position may require travel between SRHA offices, Public Housing properties, training locations, applicant briefing locations, and other work-related sites. Occasional evening or off-site activities may be required based on agency needs.

The employee must be able to sit for extended periods, perform computer and office-related work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, read and interpret regulations and electronic data, move throughout office or meeting locations, and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull files, boxes, or office materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Employment is subject to applicable pre-employment screening requirements. The position requires the ability to maintain confidentiality, comply with HUD and SRHA program requirements, and handle applicant and agency information with professionalism and discretion.

Help Families Take the Next Step Toward Housing Stability!
Please submit your resume via the online job posting. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.

This posting summarizes the primary duties and qualifications of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Management may revise duties or assign additional responsibilities based on operational needs.