FHSP HQS Specialist

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Salary: $25.48 per hour, non-exempt

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 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

Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) HQS Specialist is a new position reporting to the FHSP HQS Supervisor. The HQS Specialist will conduct inspections of vacant and occupied scattered site and PBV units in the FHSP portfolio in accordance with HUD’s Housing Quality Standards, state and local codes and standards adopted by Brilliant Corners.  The FHSP HQS Specialist will assist the FHSP HQS Supervisor and collaborate with FHSP teams to strategize around housing initiative inspections. The HQS Specialist will conduct quality control inspections of FHSP units to ensure units continue to meet HQS requirements, identify additional training needs of FHSP staff and address property provider compliance. To enhance knowledge, experience and professional growth, the FHSP HQS Specialist will work with their FHSP HQS team members to train other teams within FHSP on HQS-specific topics. The HQS Specialist will have the ability to quickly become familiar with Salesforce and support the FHSP HQS Supervisor with data related initiatives and projects. They will help with onboarding and skills development to facilitate a smooth transition for new HQS team members and to promote success.

Position Responsibilities

• Stays abreast of HUD HQS regulations, local and state codes, housing market, trends, laws and ordinances in L.A. County.
• Conducts in-person housing quality standards (HQS) inspections of vacant and occupied scattered-site and project-based units in the FHSP portfolio.
• With the FHSP HQS Supervisor’s guidance. Coordinates maintenance and repairs with property providers and responds to owner inquiries, and confidently recommends appropriate corrective action for inspection deficiencies to ensure units meet HQS, state, local and agency standards.
• Advises the appropriate stakeholders 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.
• Works collaboratively with FHSP team members, property providers, and ICMS (Intensive Care Management Services) provider(s) to coordinate unit inspections.
• Organizes, schedules and effectively maps out multiple inspections.
• Provides HQS guidance to FHSP team members, property providers, ICMS, stakeholders, and responds to inspection inquiries in a timely manner.
• Communicates with state and local departments concerning inspection-related matters.
• Assists with creating and updating HQS training materials and coordinating trainings.
• Delivers comprehensive HQS trainings, office hours and presentations to FHSP team members and stakeholders, including field-based HQS trainings
• May assist with the design, implementation and producing reports and workflow systems to better optimize HQS inspections throughout FHSP.
• Assists FHSP team members with successfully integrating HQS processes and procedures into their roles.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with team members, property providers, service providers, stakeholders, other FHSP teams.
• Attends various staff meetings and trainings.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

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 six (6) months.
• Experience in real estate, property management, supportive housing, Los Angeles rental   markets, city planning/public policy, and subsidy programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal 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 and make multiple visits in the field per day.
• Ability to work productively in a variety of working conditions and environments.
• Access to reliable transportation, possession of a valid California driver’s license, a clean driving record, and automobile insurance.
• Basic computer knowledge, Microsoft Office (moderate to strong) required; Canva preferred.
• Flexibility required regarding scheduling and prioritizing of tasks.
• The ability to employ training on identifying HQS deficiencies and completing tasks while showing careful consideration for every aspect involved, no matter the degree of importance.
• 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.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position: walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing steps, reaching while carrying 2-3 lbs. of inspection equipment.
• Position requires HUD Housing Quality Standards certification within six months of hire.

Core Competencies  

Managing and Measuring Work: Clearly assigns responsibility for task and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress, and results; designs feedback loops into work. 

Action Oriented: Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and full of energy for things they see as challenging; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes more opportunities than others. 

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 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. 

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 $25.48-29.07 per hour. This position is being offered at $25.48 per hour. 

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