- Professional
- Escritório em New York
POSSIBLE HYBRID WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIY
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.
This position is on HCR's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). HTFC is a public benefit corporation, and a Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.
NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Position Summary
HCR operates a federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (“HCV”) program that provides rental assistance to approximately 45,000 low-income families. HCR also recently received state funding to provide rental assistance to homeless households and those at risk of homelessness. Rental assistance is delivered through a combination of state staff and a network of public and private, county-based “Local administrators” (“LAs”) who accept applications from families, determine eligibility and subsidy amounts, inspect properties, and facilitate payments to landlords. Administration takes place using a centralized, on-line data solution known as Emphasys Elite – which includes internal case management functionality as well as external, customer facing portals to collect applications and process annual certifications. A team of state staff based in New York City and Albany, NY, are responsible for handling all financial aspects of the program, to include payment processing, bank transactions, the tracking of receivables, tax reporting, and the management of program funding and voucher utilization.
HCR seeks a qualified financial analyst to report to the program Chief Financial Officer and aid in all financial management aspects of the HCV program. The position will assist in payment processing that generally occurs twice a month, and perform tasks that arise from the issuance of payments to program stakeholders. Additionally, candidates will assist in reporting on funding and voucher utilization, establishing program payment standards and utility allowances, performing year-end tax-related requirements, tracking program receivables, and aiding LA Elite users by answering questions related to program finances. Standout candidates will need HCV experience and familiarity with HUD rules and regulations pertaining to the management of Housing Assistance Payment funding, program management, and best accounting practices; possess initiative and a strong work ethic; and demonstrate problem-solving skills.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Take training and become certified as a Section 8 HCV specialist and learn the basic rules and requirements of federal Section 8 and state rental assistance programs; participate in other trainings as required.
• Attend periodic in-person trainings and utilize Emphasys University to become fully proficient in the use of Emphasys Elite, including case management systems, reports, customer facing portals, and finance-specific modules
• Work with the HCR Finance Office to ensure the proper accounting of program funding and expenditures, to include verification of Unrestricted Net Position and Restricted Net Position.
• Aid in the implementation of any upgrades to the Elite accounting functionality, to include the establishment of account code strings and other system settings.
• Assist in the annual setting and inputting of regular payment standards, Exception Payment Standards and Small-Area Fair Market Rent Payment Standards in response to HUD’s release of Fair Market Rents.
• Assist in the annual setting of utility allowances for various housing structure types and utilities through utilization of the HUD Utility Schedule Model.
• Perform twice a month payment processing tasks and follow-up actions, such as the entry of stop payments and ACH returns, and subsequent LA notification.
• Track program receivables, such as portability payments, and work with other Public Housing Authorities to identify
• Perform year-end tax reporting requirements, to include the generation of 1099s, program payee follow-up, and the re-issuance of returned documents.
• Answer LA finance-specific questions such as determining the reason for cleared payments, the establishment of direct deposit, and the generation of repayment agreements and billing statements.
• Utilize HUD resources, such as the Two-Year Tool, to determine the impact of spending and voucher utilization on the program budget.
• Generate reports on behalf of HCR management and executive staff using Elite.
• Export reports to Microsoft Excel to perform data manipulation and analysis to aid in the identification of program trends and inform program decisions.
• Review invoices from program vendors and determine whether payment should be issued per the terms of the contract.
• Perform audits of program initiatives by collecting documents from LAs, verifying adherence to program policy, and sending formal notification of the need for corrective action, if any.
Minimum Qualifications and Desired Skills
• Bachelors degree*
• 3 years related experience in the field of affordable housing or Section 8 finance.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Excel
• Experience analyzing financial data and carrying out and/or developing financial processes.
• Experience using Emphasys Elite and Microsoft Power BI is preferred but not required.
• Experience in Section 8 housing is preferred but not required.
*Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.
WHAT WE OFFER AT NYS HCR:
• Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
• Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals
• Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays
• Opportunity for compressed scheduling
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Family Leave
• As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employer.
ABOUT NEW YORK STATE HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL:
Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders.
Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies.
New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)
