State of Maryland

A Rental Service Program Specialist I is the entry level of work monitoring the operations of State rental housing subsidy programs to ensure compliance with federal and State regulations.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Rental Service Program Supervisor. The work requires traveling to rental housing project sites that are located throughout the State.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Rental Service Program Specialist I and the Rental Service Program Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over the employees.  The Rental Service Program Specialist I performs duties under close supervision while the Rental Service Program Specialist II perform the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. The Rental Service Program Specialist II differs from the Rental Service Program Supervisor in that the Rental Service Program Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Rental Service Program Specialists.

Learns to monitor the operations of State rental housing programs to ensure compliance with State and federal regulations;

Learns to visit rental housing project sites to ensure program documentation is in compliance with State and federal regulations;

Learns to review documentation from local program administrators to ensure accuracy of tenant rent computations and housing assistance payment calculations;

Learns to review unpaid rent, damage and vacancy claims from contractors for accuracy and subsequent approval of payment to owner;

Learns to train property owners, resident mangers and local subcontractor staff in rental housing subsidy program eligibility requirements and procedures;

Learns to prepare reports to local agencies concerning results of federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's management reviews and monitors receipt of corrective actions;

Learns to maintain records of cash receipts and ensures the correct program is credited;

Learns to review tenant lease agreements and housing assistance payment contracts between tenant and landlord to ensure compliance with State and federal regulations;

Learns to investigate complaints and responds to inquiries regarding the rental housing subsidy program;

Performs other related duties.

Ability to learn rental housing subsidy program regulations and procedures;

Ability to learn the principles and practices of property management;

Ability to learn recordkeeping and accounting practices used in property management;

Ability to perform arithmetic calculations;

Ability to review documentation to determine completeness, accuracy and compliance with regulations;

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to train and instruct property owners, resident mangers and local subcontractor staff in rental housing subsidy program eligibility requirements and procedures;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with property owners and managers, local contractors, tenants, other governmental agency staff and the general public.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

Note: Candidates may substitute experience applying federal housing regulations to determine client eligibility for subsidized housing on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D- Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.