MA PHIT Housing Program Elements

  1. Prerequisites
  2. Classroom Training
  3. Field Training
  4. Final Assessment

1. Prerequisites

2. Classroom Training

After completion of the three day classroom training, trainees will be able to:

View a sample agenda. Pictured below is a classroom training session.

Housing Field Trainers.jpg

At the conclusion of the three days, all trainees take an open-book, written exam. A 70% score is required for a passing grade. Second attempts, after consultation with the grader, are permitted. Trainees also complete a classroom training evaluation form to determine satisfaction with the instruction and instructors.

3. Field Training

With a passing score on the classroom exam and completion of an online training app (in development for 2016), trainees are eligible for supervised field training.

Field Trainees

Trainees must have completed the three-day classroom training with a passing score and agree to accompany field trainers on five comprehensive housing inspections in the trainer's community. The trainee is responsible for scheduling the inspections and a list of qualified field trainers will be provided.

  spacer

alternative accessible content Click below the question to view the answer.
This content requires JavaScript enabled.
 

Prior to the field training inspections, the trainee and trainer will review the Field Training Checklist. This checklist is for trainee's use only and will not be collected or graded.

During the inspection, the trainee will:

During the inspection, the field trainer will:
  • Observe the inspection process

 
  • Discuss the inspection process and special housing topics

 
  • Write comments on the Field Training Checklist and classify conditions

 
  • Model best practices including good communication skills

 

 
  • Explain conditions and document on the Inspection Form

 
  • Use inspection equipment under supervision of field trainer

 
  • Demonstrate proper use of inspection equipment

 
  • Ask the field trainer questions and engage in dialogue concerning code violations and corrective measure

 
  • Ask the trainee questions and engage in dialogue concerning conditions, violations and corrective measures

 
  • Compare completed Inspection Form with field trainer's Inspection Form or notes

 
  • Compare completed Inspection Form or notes with the trainee's Inspection Form

 

 
  • Discuss elements of a correction order and provide a copy to trainee, if possible

 

 
  • Discuss enforcement procedures and emergency actions, if applicable

 

After each inspection, the trainee will update their Training Log. Trainees must complete field training within two years of finishing classroom training, although a shorter time period is recommended. After observing all five required inspections, the trainee will complete an evaluation form to determine satisfaction with the training inspections and the field trainers.

Completed forms and logs must be submitted to the MHOA Program Administrator in order to take the final assessment..

Field Trainers

Field trainers must be MA PHIT Housing graduates who have also attended a workshop on effective field training. Field trainers must submit contact information, a Liability Release Form (if required by their agency),written permission to host up to 20 trainees over the course of a year, and proof of eligibility (as shown in the table below).

 Field Trainer

Qualifications

Certifications

Experience Conducing Housing Inspections for a Regulatory Agency

Option 1

Certification

and

Experience

At least one:

2 years

or

50 housing code or housing standards inspections

Option 2

Experience

only

None

4 years supervisory experience for housing code or housing standards inspections

or

100 housing code or housing standards inspections

4. Final Assessment

After submission of forms and logs, trainees are eligible for the final assessment. A passing grade on the final assessment results in a Certificate of Completion.

Pictured below is the inspection portion of the final assessment at a vacant house in Acton, MA. The final assessment was converted to an online experience in 2013.

The online final assessment is open for a designated time period each year and provides an active learning environment that can be accessed at the trainee's convenience. The final assessment is used to determine if trainees can comprehensively and uniformly enforce housing laws and regulations. Successful trainees will be considered proficient at:

 


return to top | previous page | next page