Housing Services Application Specialist

City of Des Moines

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Performs tasks of moderate difficulty requisite to and necessary for the application for and admission to dwelling units owned by or administered by the Housing Authority in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development regulations and Housing Authority policies and procedures.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Residency Incentive Program
Alternative Work Schedule Options
Paid Volunteer Time-Off
Parental Leave
Vacation and Sick Leave
12 Paid Holidays
Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
Wellness Programs and Activities
Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
Deferred Compensation Plan with City Match up to 2.5%
Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
Employee Discount Program

Acceptable Experience and Training

Graduation from High School with courses in office practices and social interrelationships; and
Two years practical experience; or
An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

College transcripts must be submitted with your application or separately to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by email to ***email_hidden*** , by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail or hand delivery to 1200 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 on or before the application deadline to receive credit.

Required Special Qualifications

A minimum typing speed of 40 wpm (requires completion of performance examination - see information below).
Ability to obtain Rent Calculation Certification within one-year of appointment.
Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Completion Of Performance Examination

Please go to speedtypingonline.com to complete a free 5-minute typing test(the site defaults as a 1 minute test but you will need to change this to 5 minutes). On the site you are able to “Personalize Results”. Please type in your first and last name as it appears on your application. The online typing test can be accepted if it is from this site only and witnessed by another person. Results printed from the testing website must meet the following requirements.

Submitted Exam Results Must Show

Net number of words typed (Speed).
Show that you completed a Five minute timed test.
Your name (on the site you are able to “Personalize Results”. Please type in your first and last name as it appears on your application) and the date the exam was completed.

Name and date must be shown on the printed results from the testing website not hand written or added by someone. Again, you can “Personalize Results” on the site.

Witness signature, witness printed name, and valid email address for the witness. Witness must be age 18 years or older.

If you do not have printing capabilities, please email your results to ***email_hidden*** and your witness. Your witness may then "Reply All" to the email stating their name and that they witnessed you completing the online typing test on the specified date. It is your responsibility to make sure your witness responds by the exam deadline.

You must submit exam results to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department via email ( ***email_hidden***) by 4:00 pm CT on Monday, June 22, 2026. Passing score is 40 net words per minute (Speed).

IN LIEU OF THE PERFORMANCE EXAM: Applicants must currently hold a City of Des Moines Civil Service position requiring a typing speed of 40 WPM or higher OR have previously taken the online timed typing test resulting in a score of 40 NWPM or higher within 1 YEAR of the application deadline. The applicant is required to contact the City's Human Resources Department at (515) 283-4213 or by email at ***email_hidden*** to attach a previously submitted typing test to their current application by the application deadline (no later than 4:00 pm CT on Monday, June 22, 2026).

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

Performs the tasks and activities associated with the taking of applications from persons or families interested in assisted housing accommodations.
Interviews applicants and from responses received completes appropriate application form.
Initiates the method or methods necessary to verify information received applicable to family composition, sources and amounts of income and assets, and present living circumstances.
Explains program requirements to applicants.
Establishes applicant files.
Establishes and maintains waiting lists. Responsible for the purging and updating of waiting lists.
Monitors lists and files for status of actions required.
Performs other duties related to applications as assigned.
Assists with the showing and leasing up of units to prospective tenants.
Prepares and conducts briefings with prospective tenants.
Prepares and conducts informal reviews for denial of assistance.
Assists with managing and data entry into the work-order system within Public Housing.
Assists with marketing public housing units.
Screen applications for program eligibility.
Answers telephone and web inquires.
Receives and replies to routine correspondence.

Click here for benefit summary

I understand that there is a requirement for a minimum typing speed of 40 net words per minute (NWPM) for this position and that to proceed in this recruitment process, I must complete the online timed typing test (following the guidelines outlined in the job posting) and submit my results to Human Resources by 4:00 pm CT on Monday, June 22, 2026. Contact information is provided in the job announcement. IN LIEU OF THE PERFORMANCE EXAM: Applicants must currently hold a City of Des Moines Civil Service position requiring a typing speed of 40 WPM or higher OR have previously taken the online timed typing test resulting in a score of 40 NWPM or higher within 1 YEAR of the application deadline. The applicant is required to contact the City's Human Resources Department at (515) 283-4213 or by email at ***email_hidden*** to attach a previously submitted typing test to their current application by the application deadline (no later than 4:00 pm CT on Monday, June 22, 2026.).

I understand and currently hold a City of Des Moines Civil Service position requiring a typing speed of 40 WPM or higher.
I understand and have previously taken the online timed typing test resulting in a score of 40 NWPM or higher within 1 YEAR of the application deadline and will contact the Human Resources department to have my previously submitted typing test attached to my current application by 4:00 pm CT on Monday, June 22, 2026.
I understand and will submit results following all guidelines outlined in the job posting by 4:00 pm CT on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Have you completed college coursework or have a related college degree? If Yes, submittal of college transcripts is required by application deadline in order to receive credit. Please submit to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to ***email_hidden***, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail or hand delivery to 1200 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 by the application deadline date.

I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and I have attached my transcripts to my application.
I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline in order to receive credit and will submit them to Human Resources separately.
I have not taken college course work and do not have college transcripts to provide.

I understand that responses such as "see resume", "see application", etc. to the following supplemental questions are not acceptable. Responses much be thorough, clear and concise to receive credit.

Describe any experience you have working with government funded programs such as Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

Describe any work experience you have calculating and determining eligibility for assistance based on set criteria, including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

Describe any work experience you have calculating and determining housing assistance eligibility, including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

Describe any customer service or public interaction experience you may have, including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

Describe any general office and/or clerical experience you may have, including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

Do you currently possess a Rent Calculation Certificate?

I understand that if I do not currently possess a Rent Calculation Certificate, I must obtain a Rent Calculation Certificate within one year of appointment.

Yes
No
Required Question