Real Estate Specialist (Temporary Full-Time, 12-months)

Priority Application Deadline: Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 11:59 pm

Department and Position Overview

The Real Estate Department cultivates deep engagement with landlords, investors, property management companies, and private homeowners within San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. The Real Estate Department creates an inventory of housing units available for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability within Hamilton Families programs and external programs.

The Real Estate Specialist conducts regular rental market analysis to stay abreast of industry changes in order to accommodate the needs of families. Real Estate Specialist outreach to owners and property management companies, maintaining a vast database of housing units, while providing support on repairs and mediation after families are housed. The Real Estate Department works closely with Hamilton Families' Housing Services, Residential, and Shelter Programs from start to finish in housing location services to provide support until successful move in. Each Real Estate Specialist is trained to perform all areas of work for the department. This includes and not limited to inspections, unit viewings, move in's, quality control, landlord mediation, application, and lease review.

This position is a full-time, temporary position that is available for a period of 12-months. At the end of the initial 12 months period, pending additional funding, it is possible that the positions will be extended to 15 months. Otherwise, all union employees will have the opportunity to consider any other open positions within Hamilton Families at that time.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Market and outreach to Bay Area owners, landlord groups and/or housing associations, present information about the program, while building and fostering landlord partnerships.
• Collaborate with Hamilton Families case managers to support client housing placement and retention, including assisting participants and landlords with mediating and resolving conflicts in coordination with Case Managers.
• Perform housing location services via unit acquisition in order to build and maintain unit inventory for program participants
• Act as a negotiator to secure housing opportunities for Participants, including reduction in rents, security deposits, holding fees, and reserving units.
• In collaboration with Housing Services, ensure families are successfully matched to housing opportunities that meet their specific needs while taking into consideration any housing barriers.
• Initiate the Intent to Rent to Keys process, communicate with landlords, and ensure a smooth move-in.
• For external contracts, Real Estate Specialist will fulfill all housing location services as needed, from intake to 90-day aftercare.
• Coordinate and perform Housing Quality Standards Inspections (HQS) per Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards on all housing units, and document lead based paint acknowledgement, VAWA addendum, etc. (Inspections are used to determine the safety and habitability of units).
• Create New Vendor Packets by verifying property owner information. Research property profiles, deeds, local and state public records on ownership information including local fictitious business names, state corporate entities, and other public sources.
• Remain knowledgeable about fair housing laws, using them to educate landlords, review lease contracts for compliance, and adhere to best practices.
• Record, track, and disseminate information on identified available housing units.
• Make regular data entries and maintain Salesforce database.
• Serve as an information resource by conducting research, assembling data, and performing special projects.
• Perform Quality Control by serving as a problem-solving landlord liaison as needed, in collaboration with Housing Services staff.
• Real Estate Specialists negotiate terms with Landlords for all move-ins and exits. They also handle all aspects of rehousing, from conducting a move-out inspection, early lease termination, by preserving the landlord relationship and unit for future Participants.
• Promote and foster a healthy landlord/tenant relationship.
• Create and maintain resource guides on the Bay Area housing market, local landlords, tenant rights, eviction prevention, financial advice and other topics to assist families in securing and maintaining housing.
• Prepare and deliver presentations about local housing markets to Hamilton Families staff, current and potential program participants and other service providers.
• Prepare and deliver orientations and tenant education workshops (i.e., how to do a housing search, how to be a good tenant, etc.) to participants as well as internal and external partners.
• Complete and maintain required electronic files, correspondence, and statistics in a timely, clear, thorough, and accurate manner. Prepare reports and presentations as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and/or a minimum of three years of professional experience in a relevant position is preferred.
• Real Estate experience/license preferred.
• Marketing, networking, and unit acquisition experience.
• A minimum of three years of experience working with homeless, diverse communities, or other vulnerable populations preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise appropriate authority when needed, sound judgment, uphold program and personnel policies and procedures, and support staff in doing so.
• Ability to coordinate, implement, assist, and evaluate program activities with diverse staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of rental housing market and housing industry in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area
• Self-starter, highly organized, ability to adapt to ever-changing job responsibilities, and ability to work independently including remotely as a member of a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Internet Browsers, etc.). Able to make regular entries and maintain a CRM client database.
• Bilingual applicants highly encouraged to apply especially those fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Spanish.
• Strong interpersonal skills and oral presentation skills.
• Valid CADL, satisfactory driving record, and proof of insurance.
• Able and willing to travel locally and long distances as needed.
• Criminal background check, fingerprint imaging, and tuberculosis (TB) clearance required post-offer.
• Essential job functions include using a telephone, working at a standard computer terminal, ability to follow reasonable ergonomic accommodations, sit and stand for long intervals, reach, bend, life and carry up to 40 pounds