ADA/ 504 Program Specialist - Kensington, United States - Housing Opportunities Commission

Description

Job Description:

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) was established in 1974 to better respond to the County's need for affordable housing. HOC is authorized to acquire, own, lease, and operate housing; to provide for the construction or renovation of housing; obtain financial assistance from any public or private source to assist its housing activities; and arrange for social services, resident services and day care.

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County ("HOC") is one of the nation's preeminent affordable housing finance agencies at the forefront of financing, developing, and preserving affordable housing. HOC is seeking an ADA/504 Program Specialist that will ensure the agency's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("Section 504"), the Fair Housing Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The ADA/504 Program Specialist will work under the direction of the ADA/504 Manager, but will be expected to work independently and with moderate supervision in the planning and directing of their job duties.

The ADA/504 Program Specialist will serve as an internal consultant on reasonable accommodation matters. This position will review reasonable accommodation requests from HOC employees (internal requests) and from HOC customers (external requests). The position ensures that all reasonable accommodation processes and decisions comply with the applicable laws, policies, and regulations. The ADA/504 Program Specialist will be assigned a portfolio of matters (mainly consisting of reasonable accommodation requests), and will be expected to investigate, follow-up, and follow through on issues that may arise within the assigned portfolio. The ADA/504 Program Specialist must participate in periodic audits to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies, and will be expected to manage and monitor all compliance reporting requirements. The individual will compile data/statistics, prepare reports, documents, and written correspondence as necessary. The ADA/504 Program Specialist must be able to provide recommendations for improvements and/or necessary corrective action in accordance with federal, state and local laws, including providing recommendations for new HOC policies/procedures. The position may require some travel to provide training to staff and customers, and may be required to perform occasional site visits.

Responsibilities:

• Receiving, tracking, and responding to all reasonable accommodation requests
• Properly saving and storing requests on HOC's system
• Drafting and sending any necessary correspondence to HOC staff, partners, and customers, including all follow-up and final decision letters
• Meeting with internal partners (e.g., HOC's Resident Services Division, HR Division, the Ombudsman, and other staff) to provide guidance and training on the reasonable accommodation process
• Attending informal hearings where reasonable accommodation decisions are being contested
• Attending meetings with HUD, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, or other agencies where reasonable accommodation decisions are being investigated
• Serving as a liaison between the Compliance and Human Resources Divisions. Developing and maintaining reasonable accommodation curriculum and training programs for HOC staff (live and webinars)
• Conducting reasonable accommodation training for HOC staff and external partners
• Scheduling, coordinating, and attending meetings, when needed, with property staff on complex cases
• This may include working with HOC's third-party property management staff
• Gathering information for reasonable accommodation appeals in a timely manner
• Working collaboratively with HOC's maintenance staff to ensure the best solution for requests for physical modifications to units
• Contacting third party sources to verify legitimate needs due to disability, according to policies
• Seeking guidance and support from ADA/504 Manager and/or legal counsel as needed
• Attending industry training programs and keeping abreast of regulations and rules
• Conducting research as necessary
• Enforcing and adhering to company policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Counseling, OR related field- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted
• At least 4 years of related experience with individuals who have intellectual, physical, and disabilities under the American Disabilities Act;
• At least 2 years or more experience in affordable housing, specifically working on reasonable accommodation/ modifications, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and other federal, state, and local policies and procedures.
• Technical experience in employee reasonable accommodation requests, including relevant courses and certifications
• Technical experience in employee reasonable accommodation requests, including relevant U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity laws
• Experience with labor relations and unions is preferred
• Familiarity with federal laws and regulations with respect to fair housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and local government practices
• Understanding of Articles 12 and 16 of the Housing & Community Development Article as it applies to the Commission in order to apply the powers and functions of the agency
• Will become an ADA Certified Training within one year of employment
• Will obtain Fair Housing & Reasonable Accommodation certification within one of year employment.
• Strong analytic, organizational, writing, listening, interpersonal, customer service, and verbal communication skills
• Proficient computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Google). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs
• Ability to work independently when required, but also an ability to work well within a team dynamic and communicate well with team members
• Ability to assess and interpret individual client needs and to make appropriate referrals to internal or external sources
• A positive attitude, willingness to work hard, diligence and thoroughness
• Ability to work under pressure and perform efficiently with time-sensitive matters
• Flexibility and an ability to learn quickly in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to maintain confidential records
• Must be able to work in-office at the Kensington location. A hybrid work schedule is available, but is subject to change

Preferred Skills:

Low-income residents in Montgomery County with the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.

HOC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race,
color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected
veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. HOC
promotes a drug-free workplace.

HOC conducts criminal background checks, employment reference checks, and where
applicable, reviews driving records in determining suitability for employment. Selected
applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
Employment is contingent upon drug and alcohol test results.