Function

• The housing manager supervises and directs the housing staff. It her responsibility to implement housing policies and procedures. She represents the housing authority at local, regional, territorial and national meetings. Managing the housing office and maintaining a file system that is in line with government policy is a responsibility of this position. She prepares and submits the housing budget. The establishing of staff assignments and workload is handling by the manager. She is responsible for the interviewing and hiring process--this includes scheduling training sessions for the staff. Evaluation duties of employees work performance is the housing manager's responsibility.
  
  

Education

• To perform duties as housing manager, the candidate must hold a four-year college degree with major coursework in public administration, business administration, urban planning or any other related field.
  
  

Work Atmosphere

• The housing manager performs all managerial duties in a private office within the housing authority building--requiring hours of sitting. Travel time is required for meetings, conferences and training related to public housing affairs. The manager is expected to speak before groups of people in meetings, conferences or training sessions.
  
  

Skills

• As a manger taking the lead of the housing staff, she must exhibit leadership and team-building skills with employees. The ability to manage finances is necessary when preparing the budget. She is a strategic planner and analytical thinker--able to solve simple and complex issues relating to managing the staff and setting standards for the policies and procedures of the housing authority. Computer skills that include manipulating spreadsheets and word processing databases are important when maintaining an accurate filing system. She possesses communication skills, allowing her to speak with staff, groups of diverse background and housing tenants.
  
  

Salary and Occupational Outlook

• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, government workers such as housing program managers are paid on a General Schedule (GS). The schedule is based on years in service. In the managerial position as of April 2010--a housing program manager's average annual salary is $74,403 but can reach $119,671. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects employment in the federal government field in general to grow 10 percent by the year 2018. This includes positions for public housing managers. The growth is due to changes occurring in public policy.