Housing Services Specialist I

Make a difference - join our team to empower communities and build futures!

The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development works in partnership with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to serve the people of Fairfax County by creating housing opportunities to promote inclusive and thriving communities. Help make our vision of a community everyone can afford to call home a reality!

Our Rental Assistance Division is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented housing services specialist to join our team. This position plays a key role in supporting state-funded rental assistance programs, including the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).

This position maintains accurate and timely data entry in the department's systems of record. Under limited supervision, assists in receiving and processing participant referrals from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) in accordance with state and agency requirements.

This position requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and compassionately with clients, service providers, and team members. This role is essential in ensuring program integrity and high-quality service delivery. If you are organized, collaborative, and committed to serving your community, we encourage you to apply.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensures sensitive information is entered accurately and promptly in the system of record.
• Performs quality control.
• Coordinates with the partner agency to support the selection and notification of waitlist applicants for eligibility determination.
• Assists professional staff with routine tasks such as program outreach, client contact, and obtaining program documentation.
• Provides timely and accurate responses to customer inquiries, ensuring all clients feel heard, respected, and supported.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism when working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who may be in crisis or experiencing housing instability.
• Exercises patience, empathy, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or challenging situations.
• Delivers consistent, high-quality customer service in person, by phone, and through written communication.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public or business administration, counseling or a related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience performing accurate and high-volume data entry in a fast paced environment.
• Experience and proficiency utilizing data management software, case management systems, or database platforms (such as YARDI, Housing Pro, or similar systems).
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify and correct data inconsistencies or errors.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information responsibly and in compliance with agency policies.
• Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, patiently, and professionally with experience providing customer service to diverse populations, including individuals experiencing housing instability or crisis.
• Experience working in social services, housing programs, or other public service environments.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to explain program processes and requirements to clients in an accessible and supportive manner.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus, especially in languages commonly spoken in the service area.
• Proficiency in standard office software such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.