Program Specialist I

About Us

Founded in 1937, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) has kept the promise of public housing alive. It has done so by maintaining and modernizing its buildings and enriching the lives of its residents through innovative social services, recreational and educational programs, and job training initiatives. What makes HABC successful is the dedication of its employees and its history of strong leadership.

HABC Benefits

Health and Well-Being

At the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC), we offer a competitive benefits package that supports our recruitment and retention goals and meets the diverse, evolving needs of our employees. HABC’s comprehensive benefits package includes:

Vacation and Leave

• Universal leave program
• 12 paid holidays

Health and Wellness

• Medical and dental insurance
• Employer‑paid vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free health and wellness programs

Income Protection and Retirement

• Life insurance with optional additional coverage
• Short‑term disability
• Voluntary Plans
• Retirement programs with employee contribution options

Position Summary

Under direct supervision, provides case management to Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) applicants and participants; Performs client eligibility, move, and recertification activities in compliance with HUD guidelines and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City’s (HABC) policies. Provides clear and informative information orally and in writing to applicants, participants, landlords, other agencies, and employees. Maintains caseload, performs data entry, and creates reports. Maintains error rate below the established departmental thresholds. May be trained in multiple functions and be reassigned as needed to support workload priorities. Position requires excellent customer service skills and mathematical abilities.

All activities must support the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC” or “Authority”) mission, strategic goals, and objectives.

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.

• Performs case management functions. Maintains and analyzes information on account activities and accurately completes related data entry.

• Determines client eligibility and completes HUD’s re-certification and re-examination procedures for new and existing clients. Verifies household composition and income following verification procedures, coordinates unit inspections, contacts voucher holders, and prepares paperwork.

• Communicates with clients, property owners, tenants, other agencies, and employees by telephone, in writing, or in person.

• • Assists with new & existing client and landlord orientations.
  • Explains HUD regulations and contract terms.
  • Obtains documentation to assist clients.
  • Completes accurate and expedient contract work.
  • Provides information about housing assistance programs.

• Provides applicants and participants with community-based information, i.e., social services and housing agencies such as shelters, fair housing agencies, Legal Aid Bureau Inc., and government-sponsored social services agencies. Makes referrals to other service agencies and organizations as warranted.

• Maintains records and notates software and trackers for all communication, throughout the process. Ensures participant files are complete and uploaded electronically.

• Conducts home visits and site visits as needed.

• Serves as a resource for new and existing team members

Performs other related duties.

Duties & Responsibilities based on Assignment

• Continued Assistance

  • Conducts interviews and reviews client documents for completeness and accuracy to determine tenant portions and eligibility for continued housing assistance.
  • Calculates Total Tenant Payments (TTP), Housing Assistance payments (HAP), and utility allowances. Reviews rent calculations for completeness and accuracy to determine tenant portions and housing assistance.
  • Determines move eligibility, coordinates/hosts voucher briefings, monitors voucher issuance and expiration
  • Completes caseload as assigned within the required timeframe.

• Site-Based & RAD Functions

  • Conducts interviews and reviews client documents for completeness and accuracy to determine tenant portions and eligibility for continued housing assistance.
  • Calculates Total Tenant Payments (TTP), Housing Assistance Payments (HAP), and utility allowances. Reviews rent calculations for completeness and accuracy to determine tenant portions and housing assistance.
  • Monitors applicant selection, preference policies, portability, denials of assistance, voucher issuance, expiration, and withdrawals.
  • Determines move eligibility, coordinates voucher briefings and transfer requests, monitors voucher issuance and expiration. Ensures timely submission of move-in documents from landlords for project- and tenant-based programs.

• Applications & Waitlist Functions

• Conduct interviews and review applicant documents for completeness and accuracy.

• Verify applicant selection, preference policies, denials of assistance, voucher issuance, expiration, and withdrawals.

• Conduct on-site and off-site eligibility interviews and briefings for voucher issuance.

• Process applications and make final eligibility determination.

• Leasing & Contracting Functions

• Complete voucher holder moves, perform rent reasonableness and rent affordability, rent increases, and utility change requests.

• Coordinates with HCVP Inspections to request unit inspections.

• Ensures landlord leases are within HUD and agency guidelines, verifies landlord documents are legitimate, and complies with HABC policies and procedures

• Prepares Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts

• Portability Functions

  • Process incoming and outgoing portability requests in accordance with HUD regulations and agency policies
  • Process billing and coordinate absorption with initial and receiving Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)
  • Monitor and track portability activity to ensure timely processing and compliance deadlines

Minimum Education, Training, and/or Experience

Graduation from a four (4) year college or University with a bachelor’s degree in business or a social service-related field of study. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Maryland driver's license.
• Must be able to be covered under the Authority's vehicle insurance policy.
• Section 8 Rent Calculation and Section 8 Occupancy certification within 12 months of employment.

Other Requirements:

• Availability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Successful completion of a pre-screening investigation, including verification of employment history and education credentials.
• A 6-month probationary period applies to this full-time permanent position.

FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY: Current HABC employees who are on probation, whether due to initial new hire status (6 months) or promotion (3 months), will have the opportunity to apply for other roles within HABC once their probationary period is successfully completed. This allows time for growth, development, and the demonstration of their skills and commitment, paving the way for new opportunities within the organization.

If you are currently under the progressive disciplinary process or have received disciplinary action within the past six (6) months, it may impact your ability to be considered for promotion within HABC. Please refer to the Manual of Personnel Policies or the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement for additional information regarding the disciplinary process.

This job posting will remain open until October 27, 2026.