HRA Mobility Coordinator

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Community Development Division is responsible for the Council's regional growth strategy, planning and technical assistance to local communities, parks and open space, Livable Communities grants to local governments, and the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA).

Metropolitan Council Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Metro HRA) administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher program and related programs on behalf of nearly 100 suburban and rural communities throughout Anoka, Carver, and most of suburban Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Metro HRA serves low-income seniors, families and households, as well as individuals living with disabilities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The HRA Mobility Coordinator is responsible for providing coaching services to families with housing choice vouchers as a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD} Mobility Demonstration Program. The Mobility Demonstration Program will build upon recent research that shows growing up in neighborhoods with lower levels of poverty improves children's academic achievement and reduces intergenerational poverty. The Demonstration will use prescribed methodologies to help families gain access to low-poverty neighborhoods with high-performing schools and other strong community resources. The HRA Mobility Coordinator will work with families as they choose between neighborhoods, prepare applications, search for homes, and as they transition into their new neighborhoods. The HRA Mobility Coordinator also assists in enrolling families into the program, hosts workshops, and works closely with other program staff to assist families in their moves.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

• Manage a caseload of clients with housing vouchers to assist them in moving to an opportunity area.
• Assess household strengths and barriers to moving.
• Assist household in developing goals to prepare for the move and assess progress.
• Support housing search for households participating in HUD's Mobility Demonstration Program to assist them in moving to an opportunity area.
• Provide unit referrals to clients in the program that meet their unit and neighborhood needs.
• Assist clients in contacting property owners, setting up tours, and attending unit tours with clients.
• Facilitate fast lease-ups by assisting with filling out and submitting necessary paperwork, performing rent reasonableness checks, and conducting Housing Quality Standards inspections.
• Check in with property owners after they have leased up with clients to ensure they have no issues with the PHA or the tenant.
• Work with other program staff to communicate with property owners and participants to assist in resolving any issues identified as clients transition into their new homes.
• Provide post-move support to households by performing in-home check-ins to ensure they are transitioning smoothly into their new community.
• Host group workshops for households to learn how to search for units on the private rental market and how to maintain tenancy with property owners.
• Track client and property owner data using agency provided software programs and HUD guidance.
• Develop and manage a database of available affordable units where property owners accept vouchers.
• Perform daily outreach to property owners and managers with available units and encourage them to work with the program.

Any of the following combinations of education (degree field of study in social studies, art, history, political science, planning, or related field) and experience in community engagement, public policy, public relations, planning, marketing, or communications.

• High school diploma/GED with six (6) years of experience
• Associate degree with four (4) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree with two (2) year of experience

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Knowledge of outreach strategies and best practices, including trauma informed care strategies.
• Knowledge of fair housing laws and local rental market.
• Bilingual or multilingual - ability to communicate fluently in English and one or more other languages.
• Experience working with the Housing Choice Voucher program or other similar rental assistance program determining eligibility or explaining program rules.
• Experience conducting owner outreach and providing housing search assistance, unit referrals and navigation of the housing application process to secure housing for program participants.
• Experience working and collaborating in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environment.

What knowledge, skills and abilities should you have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations and policies related to housing assistance.
• Knowledge of outreach strategies to engage private owners and/or property managers that are potential participants in the Demonstration's program.
• Knowledge of racial and social equity, and an ability to participate in conversations about race and equity.
• Skilled in conducting tenant education and housing search workshops.
• Skilled in providing appropriate community service information and referrals to Demonstration participants.
• Effective case management skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines.
• Ability to engage communities and maintain positive working relationships with Demonstration participants, owners and/or property managers, community organizations, and other human services agencies, and coworkers.
• Ability to understand the impacts of systemic and institutional racism within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
• (BIPOC) communities when working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to assist Demonstration participants with housing search and lease ups.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Additional information

Union/Grade: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees/Grade F
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.

1. We rate your education and experience.

1. We conduct a structured panel interview.

1. We conduct a selection interview.

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.

1. We rate your education and experience.

1. We conduct a structured panel interview.

1. We conduct a selection interview.