Senior HQS Specialist

Location: Los Angeles

Salary: $27.88/hr

Organization Overview

Founded in 2004, Brilliant Corners provides innovative housing and housing-related services to California’s most vulnerable individuals, with an emphasis on those transitioning from, or at risk of, homelessness or institutionalization. We develop, own, and manage multi-family supportive housing and licensed residential care homes. We implement a broad array of scattered-site, one-on-one supportive housing, and clinical case management programs through partnerships with developmental services, homeless services, veterans’ services, and health care sectors.

In short, we do good work.

We have offices statewide with a staff of passionate people. While we are growing rapidly, we are also selective: We’re seeking inspired, talented people who want to be part of a team effecting profound change and who have fun doing it.

Department Summary

The Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) is a supportive housing rental subsidy program of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS), along with other governmental partners, managed-care organizations, and foundations. The goal of the FHSP is to secure quality affordable housing for extremely vulnerable Angelenos. Brilliant Corners, the central coordinating community-based partner for FHSP, works to secure a broad range of housing options, including individual apartments, blocks of units, and entire buildings. Brilliant Corners identifies and secures units Countywide, provides move-in assistance and rental subsidy disbursements, coordinates with case managers, and assists with neighborhood relations.

Position Summary

The Senior HQS Specialist works closely with the HQS Supervisor, the HQS Manager, and other collaborates to scale FHSP and meet the audacious goal of housing thousands of homeless Angelenos. The Senior HQS Specialist will assist the HQS Supervisor and FHSP HQS Manager with supporting a team of HQS Specialists (HQSS), will provide guidance and direction with inspection standards and HQS training across FHSP, and will help identify, monitor, and refine HQS goals for all FHSP. 

The Senior HQS Specialist will assist FHSP team members with resolving property provider and tenant issues in relation to Housing Quality Standards, will collaborate with FHSP teams to strategize around scattered-site, project-based and new housing initiative inspections, conduct quality control inspections on units inspected by FHSP team members to measure staff performance, property provider compliance, and to ensure units continue to meet HQS requirements. To enhance knowledge, experience and professional growth, the Senior HQS Specialist will work with their HQS team members to train other teams within FHSP on HQS-specific topics. They should have the ability to quickly become familiar with Salesforce and support with data related initiatives and projects. In addition, they will create and conduct onboarding and skills development trainings to promote success and facilitate a smooth transition for new HQS team members.

Position Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of rental HUD HQS regulations, local and state codes, housing market, trends, laws and ordinances in L.A. County.
• Assist FHSP HQS Supervisor and FHSP HQS Manager in setting HQS performance benchmarks and cultivating levels of leadership for the team.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with team members, property providers, service providers, stakeholders, and other FHSP teams.
• Works collaboratively and provides guidance to FHSP team members, property providers, and ICMS (Intensive Care Management Services) provider(s) to coordinate unit inspections.
• Plans, schedules, and conducts in-person HQS inspections for vacant and occupied scattered-site and project-based units in the FHSP portfolio.
• Advises the appropriate stakeholders within a timely manner on the condition of dwellings by developing and disseminating HQS reports and other HQS documentation.
• Maintains thorough and accurate inspection-related reports, records and correspondences from FHSP team members, property providers, clients/tenants, ICMS and stakeholders, while maintaining confidentiality.
• Helps meditate HQS property provider and tenant concerns while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Communicates with state and local departments involving inspections.
• Conducts monthly and semi-monthly quality control (QC) inspections on units acquired for FHSP housing programs.
• Develops and delivers comprehensive HQS trainings, presentations and offers office hours to FHSP team members.
• Assists with the design, implementation and production of reports and workflow systems to better optimize HQS throughout FHSP.
• Assists FHSP team members with successfully integrating HQS processes and procedures into their roles.
• Leads and attends various staff meetings and trainings, while exercising effective note taking skills.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Professional Experience

• Experience performing inspections in a variety of housing-related fields, including real estate, property management, housing subsidy programs, housing acquisitions and coordination, and supportive housing for a minimum of (1) year.
• Experience in real estate, property management, supportive housing, Los Angeles rental   markets, city planning/public policy, and subsidy programs.
• Experience creating and directing training programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong ability to work independently with minimal supervision, coupled with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to utilize critical thinking skills in decision-making situations, good organizational and record-keeping skills, and good independent judgment.
• Willingness to travel throughout Los Angeles County for multiple field visits daily and effectively work in diverse conditions and environments.
• Basic computer knowledge, MS Word and Excel (moderate to strong) required; PowerPoint preferred.
• Flexibility required regarding scheduling and prioritizing of tasks.
• The ability to identify HQS deficiencies and complete tasks while showing careful consideration for every aspect involved, no matter the degree of importance.
• Ability to identify HQS inefficiencies and inconsistencies in team performance and property provider compliance, while providing constructive feedback and support.
• Ability to understand and apply HQS regulations, organizational standards, state and local codes.
• Ability to conduct inspections using mobile technologies and other equipment for HQS inspections.
• Position requires HUD Housing Quality Standards certification within six months of hire.

Core Competencies

• Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; gets first-hand client information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with clients in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with all stakeholders and gains their trust and respect.
• Organizational Agility: Knowledgeable about how organizations work; knows how to get things done both through formal channels and the informal network; understands the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices, and procedures; understands the cultures of organizations.
• Time Management: Uses their time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates their efforts on the more important priorities; gets more done in less time than others; can attend to a broader range of activities.

Organizational Values

• Humanity: Putting people first: We are committed to meeting people where they’re at, honoring their dignity, diversity, and experience.
• Community: Building a better future: Sustainable housing solutions are fostered through partnership, collaboration, and human connection.
• Ingenuity: Innovating for transformation: Systems-change requires relentless determination, thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

A valid, clean CA driver’s license and a personal insured vehicle are required.

Travel Requirements

This position requires a valid driver's license and may be tasked to drive for the course of business.

Physical Requirements

Candidates should have physical mobility for tasks such as standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, twisting, and walking on uneven surfaces. They should be capable of performing stationary tasks like sitting for up to 6 to 8 hours a day. Additionally, candidates should be able to lift, carry, push, pull light to moderate weights up to 15 pounds safely. Requires mental acuity for analytical reasoning and document interpretation.

Salary range for this position is $27.88 - $27.88 hourly. This position is being offered at $27.88 hourly.

Brilliant Corners does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (With 5% Match)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary and AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources
• Hybrid Work