Reasonable Accommodation Specialist ll

Unit: Exempt

Grade: 10

Salary Range: $70,770.37 - $83,123.46

Posting Date: Monday, April 28, 2025

Application Deadline: Monday, May 12, 2025

Application Procedure:

Please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your qualification. No phone calls or letters. Submit your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials to jobs@bostonhousing.org. Deadline: Monday, May 12, 2025. Please be sure to identify the position you are applying for.

General Description:

ABOUT THE JOB:
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Reasonable Accommodations, the Reasonable Accommodation Specialist II will review and issue decisions for requests for reasonable accommodations submitted to Boston Housing Authority’s (“BHA”) Admissions, Leased Housing and Operations Departments, which includes applicants to all of BHA’s housing programs, voucher holders, participants in Leased Housing’s programs, and residents in BHA’s public housing developments. The Reasonable Accommodation Specialist II will engage in the interactive process with applicants, voucher holders, participants and residents who request a reasonable accommodation from these departments and will review these requests in accordance with BHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy. The Reasonable Accommodation Specialist II will also submit all proposed alternative accommodations and denials of requests for reasonable accommodation to BHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Review Committee (“RARC”) to ensure that decisions are being issued in accordance with BHA’s reasonable accommodation policies and intentions. The Reasonable Accommodation Specialist II will also track and log all reasonable accommodation requests and decisions as required by BHA, and will notify relevant staff of all decisions issued as required. The Reasonable Accommodation Specialist II will also develop and provide reports on reasonable accommodation requests and decisions.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Reviews reasonable accommodation requests received by BHA’s Admissions, Leased Housing and Operations Departments, and issues decisions in compliance with BHA’s policies and the law. 
• Tracks requests, statuses of requests, and decisions in accordance with BHA’s reasonable accommodation tracking requirements.
• Engages with applicants, voucher holders, Leased Housing participants and Public Housing residents in such a way that provides meaningful access to any change to a policy, rule or procedure (or modification in the public housing portfolio) that a family may require in order to have an equal opportunity to participate in BHA’s housing programs.
• Issues decisions in clear, easy-to-understand language that is consistent with BHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy.
• Communicates statuses and decisions of requests to staff in a timely manner and as appropriate.
• Works collaboratively with BHA’s RARC regarding any proposed alternative accommodations or proposed denials.
• Serves as a witness for in administrative hearings regarding reasonable accommodation denials.
• Maintains close, regular, and proactive communication with Admissions, Leased Housing, and Operations staff.
• Provides reports of requests received, responses to requests, and decisions issued as needed.
• Maintains a current understanding of relevant BHA policies, including BHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy, the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy, and Administrative Plan.
• Works collaboratively with Leased Housing, Admissions, and Operations policy groups to appropriately update and advance revisions that arise from the day-to-day work of the Reasonable Accommodation Specialists II. 
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

A paralegal certificate from an accredited institution of higher learning or a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree is preferred, but applicants with other advanced degrees will be considered. Experience with disability law and reasonable accommodation requests within the context of housing is also preferred. Knowledge of public housing and/or Section 8 programs, or prior experience working with low income individuals, is preferred.
Ability to demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent analytical and writing skills, sufficient to draft decisions and related documents, are essential. A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with persons with disabilities and diverse populations. A demonstrated ability to work independently and to be self-directed is also required. Ability to responsibly handle confidential information and exercise good judgment. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
 
BHA BENEFITS:
BHA’s generous benefits package includes 14 paid holidays, 4 personal days, 3 weeks of vacation, 3 weeks of paid sick leave, MBTA discount, participation in the City’s pension plan, and healthcare through the Commonwealth, and much more.
 
ABOUT US:
Boston Housing Authority (BHA) fosters sustainable communities by providing quality affordable housing, bringing stability, opportunity, and peace of mind to thousands of low and moderate-income families across Greater Boston and the City of Boston as a whole. As the largest provider of affordable housing in Boston, one of the most expensive cities in the country, BHA understands housing as a crucial platform for individual, household, and community stability. Through our public housing communities and rental assistance programs, BHA provides housing assistance and services to more than 62,000 low and moderate-income households, including families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. As a housing authority, we recognize the historical role that residential segregation has played in the City of Boston. In all aspects of our operations, internally and externally, BHA is committed to breaking down the barriers to justice in housing and related fields that disproportionately impact the communities we serve.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
BHA is a proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law. To the greatest extent possible, it is the policy of BHA to give preference in employment to BHA public housing and leased housing residents, and to low-income persons.