L0861

TENANT RELATIONS DIRECTOR (Housing)

Definition: This is professional and administrative work directing a human resource development and tenant relations program of a housing authority.

An employee in this class directs a large-scale community based tenant relations program that involves mobilizing human and economic resources, through the public housing tenant associations, to achieve full social and economic potential of the resident-tenants. The employee devotes considerable time as community organizer in promoting tenant welfare in the public housing developments and maintaining liaison with public and private community agencies in the attainment of needed resources. Work involves the continual study and assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of existing resources. Employees seek, in consort with tenant association leadership, available state and federal assistance with respect to tenant needs; and secure social sources, such as health, welfare, and education programs for improving family and community standards. Work additionally involves authenticating the legitimacy of the association leadership; counseling tenant associations with respect to alternative approaches to local project or system-wide problems; assisting in the identification of interests and problems of resident-tenants; recommending public and private resources that may be available to respond to interests and concerns of tenant associations; providing leadership to tenants in the development of group activities, such as adult education and recreation; providing training either directly or through referral agencies to assist in the organization of group projects or group performances; serving as intermediary between the housing management and tenant groups in promoting constructive relationships; promoting tenant participation in community affairs organizations; and conducting workshops for both conventional and leased housing program tenants with respect to property care and maintenance. Work may require the supervision of a small technical and clerical staff in the administration of this program. Work is performed independently under the general direction of housing authority management and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and attainment of objectives.

Examples of Work Performed: Plans and directs a large-scale community based tenant relations program that emphasizes the mobilization of human and economic resources to achieve full social and economic potential of the resident-tenants.

Promotes the welfare of tenants in the public housing developments and maintains liaison with public and private community agencies in the attainment of needed resources.

Investigates and inquiries about potential available state and federal assistance with respect to tenant needs and secures social sources, such as health, welfare, and education programs for improving family and community standards.

Performs as a resource to the tenant associations and resident-tenants by conducting orientation and discussion sessions, presenting tenant concerns to the attention of management, and referring tenants with problems or particular needs to internal or external resources who may appropriately respond to the matter.

Plans and coordinates a program or planned activities for tenants that develop and enhance their skills in human relations and self-sufficiency.

Provides leadership, independently or through referral agencies, to tenants in the development of group activities, group projects, and group performances.

Conducts workshops for tenants to improve their awareness and living style in regard to property care and maintenance.

Prepares reports and attends staff meetings that are necessary for the planning, coordinating, and review of housing authority objectives and goal attainments.

Cooperates with other organizations in the development of an understanding and interest among voluntary and public agencies who participate in long range plans for urban improvements.

Performs community organization work in such specialized areas as aging, juvenile delinquency, and mental and physical health by planning and organizing activities around the constituents’ interests in order that the program reaches the needs and living requirements of all individuals with special concerns.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of current municipal, state, and federal community resources, programs, and services.

Knowledge of the nature and political structures of community organization.

Knowledge of planning procedures and methods applied in initiating programs that meet specific needs of public housing residents.

Knowledge of the social and emotional needs of residents in public housing and the experiences that are necessary to further their human relations and individual growth potentials.

Knowledge of typical problems that confront residents in public housing and the community resources that are available to respond to such matters.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and methods used in effectively controlling and improving behavior.

Skill in the application of the current principles and practices of human service resource administration.

Ability to plan and direct a large-scale community based human resource development and tenant relations program for a housing authority.

Ability to collaborate with and persuade municipal, state, and federal community resources to assist the housing authority in the provision of programs and services to tenants, tenant groups, and organizations who reside in or represent public housing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, and local community officials, housing authority management, the resident-tenants, and the general public.

Ability to work effectively on a one-to-one basis and in group situations.

Ability to be understanding of tenant needs and compassionate toward their problems.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Ability to speak clearly and effectively before large groups and in public.

Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.

Experience and Training: Two years as a Tenant Relations/Resident Initiatives Coordinator;

or

Three years of experience in public or private human relations, counseling, or housing management work, one of which involved serving in a consultative or administrative capacity, and a bachelor’s degree in one of the social sciences or in education;

 or

Any combination of experience or training which provided the applicant with the above listed required knowledges, skills, and abilities.

Est. 4/80

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST07