Open until filled.

Class Title: Housing Inspector

Position Title: Housing Inspector

Accountable To: Assistant Section 8 Programs Manager

Department: Section 8

Band: B

Grade: 2

Subgrade: 4

Come join one of the nation’s highest ranked housing agencies. Be a part of an innovative and creative team of individuals committed to serving the community by providing affordable, quality housing.

The St. Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) has been serving the community for over 45 years. St. Paul PHA is an independent agency that owns and operates affordable rental housing for low-income families and individuals throughout the City, with subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The PHA provides approximately 4,273 affordable rental units in hi-rise buildings, townhomes, and scattered site single family and duplex homes. The PHA administers 5,242 Housing Choice Vouchers, paying over 45 million annually in federal rent subsidies to private owners who rent units to eligible families and individuals with very low incomes.

Mission Statement:

The PHA helps families and individuals with low incomes achieve greater stability and self-reliance by providing safe, affordable, quality housing and links to community services.

Employment Benefits:

The PHA offers a generous employee benefits package. The standard package includes paid vacation and sick leave; eleven paid designated holidays and two paid floating holidays; health and dental insurance coverage; and an employer pension contribution equal to 7% of employee's salary (employee contributes 5%). Additional benefits vary by contract or Supervisory and Confidential (S&C) policies.

Class Summary: Incumbents are responsible for inspecting housing units to ensure compliance with Housing and Urban Development housing regulations.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Housing Inspector is a standalone classification which is distinguished from other classes by its responsibility for inspecting housing units to ensure that they are in compliance with Housing and Urban Development housing regulations.

Position Summary: Same as above.

Duties:

A. Performs inspections of Section 8 assisted units at time of occupancy, annually, for fraud prevention, and in response to resident complaints; assesses housing to ensure compliance with HUD and PHA standards governing issues such as safety and cleanliness.

B. Prepares and submits complete, accurate, clear, consistent and comprehensive written narrative reports citing housing quality standard deficiencies as noted on the inspection checklist and in accordance with HUD Regulations and PHA policies; explains and clarifies deficiencies cited to property owners, representatives and participants; thoroughly completes daily inspection work log.   

C. Responds to inquiries from PHA clients such as landlords, Section 8 participants and other staff regarding inspections and required repairs in a professional manner and provides information as appropriate, maintain effective working relationships with other staff, owners and residents.

D. Coordinates and performs Quality Control inspections to ensure compliance with HUD and PHA standards and to meet SEMAP standards.

E. Coordinates and schedules all new, annual, tenant request, move-out, and deferred inspections in accordance with HUD Housing Quality Standards regulations and Public Housing Agency (PHA) Policy as back up to the Inspections Specialist.

F. Must abide by all Board approved policies, including policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment, Executive Communications, administrative procedures, and safety procedures established by the PHA.

G. Must travel to various PHA sites and other locations that are required by the nature of the work.

H. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):

Knowledge of:

• Basic building maintenance principles;
• Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards and regulations;
• Rent subsidies.
• Customer service techniques and telephone etiquette;
• Basic record keeping practices;
• English grammar and punctuation;
• Knowledge of Saint Paul neighborhoods and city borders.

SKILLS (position requirements at entry):

Skill in:

• Performing building inspections;
• Preparing clear and concise reports;
• Providing customer service to internal and external clients;
• Maintaining effective public relations;
• Using a variety of electronic measuring and testing devices such as digital thermometer and electrical tester; 
• Using a variety of office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, telephones, scanners, and printers;
• Using computers and related software applications;
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.  
• Filing;
• Maintaining files and records;

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from high school or GED
• Experience: Combination of 1 years of relevant experience in jobs at the A Band or higher level such as housing inspections or construction/repair field; and/or relevant education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Additional relevant experience in jobs at the A Band or higher level and/or relevant education. Demonstrated experience working with ethnically, culturally and economically diverse populations. Knowledge of a variety of heating systems, plumbing, ventilation, electrical, and maintenance systems as it pertains to Housing Quality Standards. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Certification.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (position requirements at entry):

• Must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle
• Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Certification, upon hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

LIGHT WORK (Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated light work: [1] when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or [2] when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing or pulling of arm or leg controls; or [3] when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible.) (For complete physical requirements see “Physical Demands Job Analyst” on file.)