Position Title: Housing Inspector
Department: Housing Choice Voucher
Reports to: Assistant Director of HCV
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Date
Created/Revised: November 2018
Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to conduct initial move-in, annual occupied, and special inspections to determine if single-family residences, town houses, and apartment units meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), set by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) required for eligibility in MPHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs.
All activities must support the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s (“MPHA” or “Authority”) mission, vision and values.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.
- Schedules appointments with owners and participants for inspection of units.
- Inspects housing units for compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards. Inspects units for tenant-caused damage, owner compliance, and assists with the determination of HUD’s rent reasonableness requirements.
- Prepares inspection reports. Documents passed and/or failed items in a paperless work environment.
- Notifies owners, in writing, of inspection findings and issues maintenance work orders to correct failed items.
- Documents efforts to bring properties into compliance and conducts follow-up inspections to ensure that work is completed within HQS guidelines and MPHA policies.
- Ensures that all inspections are scheduled, performed, and entered into a software program in a timely manner.
- Ensures that participating owners have current rental licenses.
- Conducts inspections, as requested by the Inspections Supervisor, to assess damages over and above normal wear and poor housekeeping that renders the unit unsafe or unsanitary, and, if necessary, refers participant to supervisory staff to schedule a Non-Disclosure meeting for HQS program violations.
- Interprets and explains HCV programs and policies pertaining to HQS to owners and property managers; advises on methods of correcting deficiencies; determines date of compliance and evaluates the deficiency corrections.
- Discusses problems with owners and tenants regarding inspection issues, risk assessment and clearance requirements, and other lead hazard interim controls.
- Testifies in court proceedings when required by MPHA Legal Department.
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Prepares and submits monthly activity report and maintains inspections’ schedules and pertinent information relating to inspection activity.
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Assists supervisor with conducting Non-Disclosure meetings for HQS violations and owner workshops.
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Performs other related duties as assigned.
Behavioral Competencies
MPHA expects all employees to exhibit the following behavioral skills:
Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.
Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.
Effective Communication: Employee is prepared, clear, concise and organized in all facets of communication in order to fully establish understanding. Actively listens and understands the audience to adapt message appropriately. Communicates information with appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.
Education and/or Experience
High School Diploma or GED and additional trade school or vocational school courses in inspection and rehabilitation of properties and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in public housing, building inspection, or code enforcement. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Must possess or have the ability to obtain a HQS Certification within one (1) year of employment.
Some positions may require possession of a valid driver’s license. Those positions may also require use of a personal vehicle and evidence of individual automobile insurance coverage, or the ability to be insurable under the Authority’s automobile insurance plan at the standard rate. Must pass a criminal history background check.
Technical Skills
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to travel to various Authority properties to perform inspections. Daily movements include sitting; standing; reaching and grasping; moving about the properties; and attending onsite meetings and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment requires a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with persons from diverse economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds, including new immigrants, limited English language proficiency clients, and clients with a variety of mental health issues and other disabilities.
The position generally works on Authority properties, which may cause the employee to experience a range in temperatures and other weather conditions. The noise level may be loud and the environment may be more hazardous than a standard office environment. This position may be required to work with contractors as well as Authority residents.
