VAWA Specialist
QUALIFICATIONS: :
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, public administration, criminal justice, legal studies, psychology, housing administration, or a related field; three (3) or more years of related experience in domestic violence services, victim advocacy, public or assisted housing, Housing Choice Voucher administration, eligibility determination, case coordination, compliance, or a related field; or any combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience applying trauma-informed practices, managing highly confidential information, interpreting federal program requirements, completing eligibility or voucher-processing functions, conducting trainings, and collecting and reporting program data is preferred.
LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Valid driver's license and must maintain insurability according to the Housing Authority's insurance policy. HUD HCV eligibility, occupancy, or related certification may be required after employment. Training in trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, confidentiality, and VAWA requirements is preferred or may be required.
EQUIPMENT OPERATED: The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.
Calculator, computer, computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, Yardi, Adobe, and other applicable computer software), mobile phone, fax machine, copier, printer, scanner, telephone, paper shredder and other standard modern business office equipment.
INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS:
Employee has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons or life threatening situations; this is considered sedentary work and the employee must demonstrate the ability to perform the physical demands required of the position in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s physical demands strength ratings.
In cases of emergency, unpredictable situations, and/or department needs, may be required to lift, push, pull, and/or carry objects heavier than D.O.L. strength ratings recommend.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND WORKER CHARACTERISTICS:
JOB DUTIES in order of importance
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: For purposes of 42 USC 12101:
Percent |
Essential Function |
Description |
30% |
VAWA Intake, Screening, and Certification |
Receives VAWA claims from residents, Property Management, HCV staff, and other authorized sources. Confirms CMHA administrative responsibility; prepares applicable HUD forms; gathers and evaluates information; determines certification or denial; issues required notices; and explains documentation, confidentiality, review, and referral options. |
25% |
Emergency Transfer and Voucher Issuance |
Administers emergency transfers and HCV issuance for approved claimants. Verifies, prepares , and conducts briefings; issues vouchers within delegated authority; responds to questions; tracks deadlines and lease-up data; reports regularly to the HCV team on voucher issuance and transfer status; and coordinates with HCV, Inspections, Finance, IT, and Property Management. |
20% |
Claimant Support, Best Practices, and Partnerships |
Provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and safety-conscious support from claim initiation, through completion. Coordinates referrals to medical, legal, social service, housing, counseling, advocacy, law-enforcement, and child-protective resources. Stays current with best practices through continuing education, research, and participation in relevant coalitions, committees, and professional networks. Strengthens referral pathways and incorporates survivor-informed practices into program operations. |
15% |
Confidential Records, Data, Compliance, and Quality Assurance |
Creates and maintains separate confidential VAWA files and safeguards sensitive information. Collects, stores, validates, and reports program data in CMHA-approved systems and formats as required by HUD and CMHA. Documents decisions, notices, transfers, voucher actions, referrals, releases, communications, and outcomes. Supports monitoring, audits, corrective actions, policies, procedures, and continuous improvement. |
10% |
Training, Reporting, and Technical Assistance |
Develops and delivers training to CMHA staff and external stakeholders on VAWA and voucher-related policies and procedures established by HUD and CMHA, including referrals, confidentiality, emergency transfers, documentation, and role responsibilities. Prepares recurring management and HCV reports on referrals, determinations, voucher issuance, transfers, lease-up, timeliness, quality, and outcomes. Provides technical support, when requested, for CMHA staff. |
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5% Performs other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Knowledge of:
- VAWA housing protections, emergency transfer requirements, applicable HUD forms, and emerging survivor-service practices.
- HCV eligibility, occupancy, briefing, voucher issuance, portability, leasing, and records-management processes.
- Trauma-informed and survivor-centered practices related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking resources.
- Confidentiality, informed consent, privacy, records retention, data security, and HUD/CMHA reporting requirements.
- Program administration, quality assurance, data collection, and performance reporting.
Skill in:
- Conducting sensitive interviews, assessing documentation, applying eligibility criteria, and documenting defensible decisions.
- Voucher issuance, database entry, confidential file maintenance, data validation, report preparation, and deadline management.
- Developing and conducting staff training, technical assistance, written procedures, and program guidance.
- Participating effectively in coalitions, committees, and cross-system partnerships while protecting claimant confidentiality.
Ability to:
- Interpret and apply HUD regulations, VAWA requirements, CMHA policies, and established procedures.
- Manage multiple active claims and voucher actions while meeting time-sensitive deadlines.
- Collect, store, analyze, and report accurate program and voucher issuance data.
- Provide accurate voucher-related technical support to CMHA staff as requested.
- Build effective relationships with claimants, CMHA staff, survivor-serving providers, coalitions, committees, and authorized stakeholders.
SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED
This position does not directly supervise employees. May provide task-specific guidance or technical assistance to interns, temporary staff, or other assigned personnel, but retains responsibility for authorized certification and voucher actions within the position's delegated authority.
Works under the direct supervision of the Assistant Vice President of Resident Initiatives. Initiates and completes routine VAWA certification, emergency transfer, voucher issuance, training, reporting, and technical-assistance activities independently within established authority. Complex policy, legal, safety, eligibility, reasonable accommodation, portability, or funding issues are elevated through established channels.
GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Guidelines: The employee follows VAWA and HCV regulations and HUD guidance, applicable CMHA plans, policies, procedures, forms, internal controls, confidentiality requirements, and federal, state, and local law. When guidance does not address a situation, the employee seeks direction from the Assistant Vice President of Resident Initiatives and other authorized CMHA officials.
Complexity and Scope: Work requires application of detailed regulatory and procedural requirements to sensitive, fact-specific circumstances. The employee's work affects claimant safety, access to VAWA protections, timely relocation, voucher administration, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and program outcomes.
Personal Contacts: Regular contact occurs with claimants, HCV participants, RI staff, HCV staff, Property Management, Legal, Finance, IT, Inspections, community providers, coalitions, committees, victim advocates, law enforcement, child protective services, landlords, and other authorized partners.
POSITIONS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED
None.