POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Housing Specialist
City of Portsmouth, NH
Nature of Work
This position is responsible for the implementation of Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG)-funded loan/grant programs which assist residents to
purchase and/or modify their homes with the goal of ensuring affordable,
safe, and accessible housing. The individual in this position will
manage and carry out day to day activities associated with 1) a first time
homebuyers loan program, including program development, marketing, and
implementation; and 2) housing rehabilitation and residential accessibility
loan/grant programs including conducting, or overseeing the conduct of,
assessments of existing property conditions, preparation of bid specifications
and lending documents, and review of progress during each home improvement
project. This position reports to the Community Development Director.
Examples of Essential Job Functions
1. Develops, implements, and administers guidelines, policies, and procedures
for housing programs designed to meet the needs of low and moderate income
residents.
2. Assures adherence to appropriate federal, state, and local regulations
in the implementation of housing programs.
3. Works with lenders, realtors, lawyers, appraisers, and housing organizations
to develop and implement home improvement and home buyer lending programs.
4. Conducts program marketing and client development.
5. Performs client intake, determines applicant eligibility for funding
in accordance with specific program guidelines, and processes funding applications.
6. Coordinates materials and presentations for educational workshops and
board meetings related to housing programs.
7. Coordinates preparation of legal documents for loan and grant closings,
including but not limited to promissory notes, mortgages, escrow agreements,
and construction contracts.
8. Responsible for ensuring maintenance of financial records and computerized
project data bases, and servicing of loan portfolios.
9. Improves and updates systems, procedures, and forms as needed in accordance
with existing and new Federal regulations and guidelines.
10. Prepares reports on program progress as requested by Community Development
Director or other administrative professionals.
11. Advises property owners, where applicable, of their responsibilities
relative to tenant relocation, and oversees owner compliance with relocation
regulations and guidelines.
12. Performs, or oversees performance of, initial home inspections to determine
deficiencies and identify work needed to correct code violations or create
accessibility for clients with physical disabilities.
13. Develops, or oversees development of, technical specifications for
work to be performed by contractor(s) including preparation of associated
cost estimates and bid packages.
14. Solicits bids and manages bidding process according to Federal and
local requirements; and ensures appropriate review of bids submitted.
15. Provides, or oversees the provision of, construction management and
inspection services to ensure compliance with specifications for home improvement
projects.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities
1. Extensive knowledge of, and experience in, the management and administration
of housing programs funded through CDBG, HOME, ESG, FHA, etc. is required.
This should include knowledge of applicable local, State, and Federal regulations
and guidelines such as building codes as well as procurement, labor, relocation,
accessibility, and lead paint abatement regulations; and the ability to
appropriately interpret and apply them.
2. Knowledge of rules and regulations regarding federal financial assistance
programs and other programs which affect housing opportunities for low
and moderate income residents.
3. Knowledge of Federal and State resources available for housing activities.
4. Strong and effective written and verbal skills including the ability
to facilitate public meetings; keep records and prepare reports; and communicate
effectively, orally and in writing, with professionals, customers, coworkers,
City officials, and other agencies.
5. Knowledge of residential or commercial lending procedures, practices,
and recordkeeping.
6. On-going interest in, and pursuit of, professional development and
training.
7. Aptitude and demonstrated ability to utilize computer resources required
by the City, including word processing and spreadsheet software at a minimum.
8. Ability to develop, or oversee the development of, technical specifications
for home improvement projects.
9. Ability to provide, or oversee the provision of, construction management
and inspection services to ensure compliance with bid specifications for
home improvement projects.
Additional Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities Desired
1. Considerable knowledge of approved methods and materials used in housing
rehabilitation and construction work and the ability to analyze and interpret
construction plans, specifications, and other documents.
2. Considerable knowledge and experience in residential building construction
and in working with contractors and local code officials.
3. Ability to analyze property deficiencies, identify work needed to
bring property to code, write work specifications, and estimate the needs
and costs of property improvement.
4. Ability to read and use drafting symbols in drawings/sketches to
describe to contractors where construction changes and new materials will
be used in a floor plan for a housing rehabilitation project.
Minimum Required Qualifications
Applicants for this position must have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in community
development, public administration, urban planning, economics, or related
field of study and have no less than five years of program management or
administrative experience; or an Associate’s Degree in one of the building
trades or related field of study and have five years of housing construction
and supervision experience; or have an equivalent combination of education
and experience. Applicants for this position must also have experience
with the administration and/or implementation of Federally-funded
housing programs and knowledge of lending practices. Experience with
first time homebuyer or similar residential lending program strongly preferred.
Application Process
Salary Range: $31,710 - $38,472. Starting salary normally not
to exceed $34,926. Closing date: January 16, 1997.
Send resume and cover letter to Human Resources Dept, 1 Junkins Avenue,
Portsmouth, NH 03801. Persons with disabilities who wish to
apply and require reasonable accommodation to participate in any portion
of the application or interview process should advise in advance.
Applicants being considered for positions must complete pre-employment
screening to include background check, etc. EOE.
Questions, comments or suggestions
for NCDAonline?
Please contact Jim
Welfley.
Back
to December 12, 1997 Washington Report
Back
to Archives