Program Specialist
Company: Everett Housing Authority
Role summary
Program Specialist is a role at Everett Housing Authority in Everett, Washington, United States (on-site). Posted 2026-08-21. Experience level: 2-5.
- Job title
- Program Specialist
- Company
- Everett Housing Authority
- Location
- Everett, Washington, United States
- Work arrangement
- on-site
- Category
- Software Engineering
- Experience level
- 2-5
- Date posted
- 2026-08-21
This role at the Everett Housing Authority offers a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact on community stability while working in a supportive, public-service environment. You’ll find great satisfaction in managing essential housing programs, and the position provides steady growth potential with a focus on helping local families thrive.
Job description
Description
Starting Salary Range: $60,907 - $79,179 annually ($31.24 - $40.61 per hour), plus benefits
This position will remain open until filled with priority given to applications received by 5:00PM, Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Our Agency: Everett Housing Authority (EHA) is a diverse, innovative public agency located in Everett, WA, only minutes from the waterfront. At EHA, we are committed to more than just providing a roof over people's heads. We believe that our work extends to creating and fostering vibrant communities where the households that we serve can thrive. Those interested can expect:
A competitive salary
Accrue up to 12 days of paid vacation in your first year of employment
13 days of sick leave each year
13 paid holidays each year
A strong benefit package including robust health, dental, and life insurance as well as a pension plan (PERS).
Vision and long term disability Insurance
Tuition reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program
Work that makes a difference!
Position Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt, Union
SCOPE OF WORK:
Under the direction of the Rental Assistance Manager, the Program Specialist II will perform a variety of tasks including technical, administrative, compliance, scheduling, customer service, and processing functions in support of clients participating in EHA’s HCV program. Work is complex and fast paced, and requires attention to detail, excellent time management skills, and ability to learn quickly and work independently.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Determines eligibility for housing assistance for new and existing clients in accordance with program policy, procedures, and regulations. Participates in waiting list openings, provides customer service to applicants, and assists with waiting list activities. Processes denials for applicants that are not eligible for the program.
Conducts client interviews and briefings to collect information from clients and educate them on program requirements and benefits. Communicates with clients on a regular basis in person, on the phone, via video and in writing. Respond appropriately and in a timely manner to resolve concerns and answer questions.
Administers, interprets, and applies rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and other requirements needed for eligibility and continuing assistance. Educates and assists tenants and landlords with program requirements.
Completes detailed data entry for client files quickly and efficiently. Prepares and maintains client files to ensure all files meet state government audit standards. Prepare statistical, status, and productivity reports.
Carries a full caseload with performance aligned to department standards (approximately 450 recertifications annually) of new admissions, annual, interim, and special reviews by verifying household, income, expenses, and deductions; accurately calculate Housing Assistance Payments (HAP). Processes changes in HAP in a timely manner to ensure adequate notice to tenants and landlords. Sends notifications to landlords, tenants, and other agencies. Reviews and approves household composition changes.
Documents changes in HAP that result from reviews; certifies payments and balance changes for monthly and semi-monthly check runs.
Determines voucher size based on family composition and program policies. Issues rental assistance vouchers to clients for new admissions to the program and when clients move to new units.
Reviews and processes Request for Tenancy Approval packets. Determines if housing units meet affordability restrictions and other program eligibility requirements. Performs rent reasonableness determinations. Negotiates rent with landlords. Ensures accuracy of unit and vendor information.
Generates HAP contracts and tenancy addendums; reviews completed inspections; reviews and completes data entry related to lease dates, rent amount, utilities, and concessions; calculates owner payments; ensures accurate and timely execution of HAP contracts; provides accurate and timely payments to landlords and places payments on hold.
Investigates program violations, compiles supporting documentation, conducts meetings with tenants and landlords to discuss violations and remedies.
Coordinates information with supervisor for applicant denials, non-compliance, and termination of program participation. Alerts the Rental Assistance Manager of potential management problems including client disputes and program fraud and abuse.
Compiles and presents documentation and evidence in informal reviews and hearings to support EHA programmatic decisions in compliance with regulations and policies.
Coordinates with language interpreters to serve clients with Limited English Proficiency.
Supports continuous improvement of operations, including decreasing turnaround times, streamlining work processes, and working collaboratively with colleagues to provide seamless customer service to clients, landlords, and other agency departments.
Participate in the development and implementation of goals, work plans, performance measures, and continuous improvement of service delivery to assist in attaining the department initiatives and goals, agency core strategies, and mission through a spirit of service, teamwork, and respect.
Applies program rules across varying program structures and escalates complex scenarios as needed.
Processes clients transferring to/from other public housing authorities. Works with the finance department to resolve billing issues between EHA and other housing authorities resulting from the client transfers.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
Excellent verbal and written communication with a wide variety of audiences.
Skill in reading, understanding, interpreting, and explaining complicated rules and regulations.
Ability to remain calm under pressure.
Ability to work respectfully and courteously with other EHA employees, residents, l