Senior Lease Negotiator and Inspector Description

About Marin Housing Authority / Careers

Revised: July 9, 2002

April 2005

Definition

Under general direction, inspects housing units to be considered for contract under the Section 8 Program and other leasing programs; negotiates rental leases, annual rent increases and claims for damages and vacancy loss with landlords; provides direction and acts as a resource regarding complex inspection and negotiating issues; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with landlords and representatives from the real estate industry; and performs related work as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

General direction is provided by the Program Manager. Provides lead direction to Lease Negotiator/Inspector.

Class Characteristics

This is the advanced journey classification within the Negotiator/Inspector series that provides lead direction and performs scheduling and planning for the inspection of agency units. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable judgment and initiative when conducting inspections and in negotiating rents.

The Senior Lease Negotiator/Inspector works with tenants, landlords and other staff to solve difficult problems in interpreting and applying established policy and acts as resource person in resolving inspection and negotiation issues. Work of this class is distinguished from that of the Leased Negotiator/Inspector class by its lead worker and scheduling responsibilities and in the handling and determination of the most complex inspection and negotiation cases. 

Examples of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Assists in determining priorities; schedules and assigns work for inspection division staff as required; serves as a resource for handling non-routine inspections and dealing with complex problems.
• Directs and trains new inspectors and provides training on new policies or procedures.
• Conducts initial inspections of housing units to ascertain that unit is safe, decent and sanitary and complies with Housing Quality Standards as provided in program regulations.
• Conducts inspections of new and transferring Section 8 housing units to ensure housing standards of the Section 8 program; monitors follow-up inspections for unit repairs and compliance to Housing Quality Standards.
• Prepares detailed unit inspection forms regarding the condition, soundness and general stability of the unit of occupancy; makes recommendations regarding needed repairs on housing units and inspects completed repairs.
• Determines rent reasonableness for current and potential public housing; assists in rental market surveys to provide information on current local area rents; provides input to and manages database and logs.
• Negotiates rents with property owners based on housing market rents; may determine exceptions and allowances based on approved criteria.
• Maintains records of building and inspection activity, and completes related reports.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on the proper settlement terms of claims.
• Determines nature and priority of work and assigns work orders to maintenance staff; upon lease termination may inspect units to assess landlord's claim for damages and vacancy loss and negotiate a settlement as per program regulations.
• Interprets and applies program regulations, laws and procedures and assists in the formulation of new procedures based on new laws or desired efficiencies.
• Represents the agency with residents, landlords, clients, property management firms and social agencies and acts as the Housing Authority representative in during property investigations of suspected program abuse by clients.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of appraising and negotiating leases of residential property.
• Property and building maintenance and building inspection; local and federal building standards and codes.
• Housing construction and the maintenance and repair of major building systems including plumbing, electrical, and heating.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to the rehabilitation and maintenance of real property, as well as laws and federal regulations of the Section 8 and Voucher programs with respect to Housing Quality Inspections.
• Familiarity with rental values of houses and apartments in the housing market.

Skill in:

• Conducting inspections of housing units and accurately determining structural soundness, suitability for occupancy and compliance with Housing Quality Standards.
• Negotiating tactfully with realtors and property owners on a variety of complex issues.
• Negotiating tactfully with residents, landlords and property management firms on a variety of complex issues; interpreting and applying program regulations.
• Maintaining cooperative relations with staff, clients and landlords.
• Interpreting and applying rules, regulations, policies and procedures of various housing programs administered the Marin Housing Authority.
• Establishing reasonableness of rents based on housing market comparables; assembling housing data from market surveys and preparing reports and maintaining records on a computer system; making mathematical computations.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in written form including effective use of negotiating techniques.
• Working collaboratively with local service agencies and Housing Authority management to assure the provision of comprehensive and coordinated services.
• Working effectively with people with varying backgrounds, educational levels, races and cultures.

Educations and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a high school diploma and three years experience as a Lease Negotiator/Inspector or five years in construction and building maintenance.

License and Certification:

Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand for extended periods of time, talk and hear within standard ranges. The employee is required to work outside in inclement weather as needed and with extended periods of driving and sitting; walk, use hands to handle tools or computer controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed in the field, various residential buildings, and normal office setting with moderate noise levels.

Marin Housing Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and for religious reasons.