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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Grants CoordinatorCity of Port Townsend Job Description Housing Grants Coordinator Classification title: Housing Grants Coordinator Working title: Housing Grants Coordinator Department: Planning and Community Development Union: No FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 618 Hours: 40 Effective date: Dec. 2024; April 2026 Reports to: Director of Planning and Community Development Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY The Housing Grants Coordinator will be primarily responsible for providing City collaboration to support implementation of housing grant funds for City-sponsored projects. The position serves a dual responsibility as liaison to local non-profits and other entities supporting affordable and attainable housing projects and providing City assistance as appropriate. This position serves under the direction of the Director of Planning and Community Development and is tasked to advance affordable housing program financing and development. For City projects, the Housing Grants Coordinator works towards managing aspects of the affordable housing development process for new construction and/or acquisition/rehabilitation projects, ensuring a financially and operationally viable development in a cost- efficient manner. The position oversees and coordinates utilization of any City tax incentive program for housing, including but not limited to its Multi Family Tax Exemption Program. The position also will manage and administer grants awarded to the City for housing benefits and purposes. Additional responsibilities include being an advocate for the utilization of the City’s code incentives supporting housing. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  Assist with City housing programs to include market research, property surplus, acquisition, grant application and management, capital acquisition for City demonstration projects to incubate housing, such as Evans Vista, and assist local organizations that will construct and manage housing for permanent affordability.  Research, and as directed, submit state and federal grant proposals to secure funding for City or City-sponsored projects.  Research HUD, USDA, state, and federal grant programs.  Oversee all federal and state housing grants, ensure timely deliverables and contract administration.  Write letters of support, as directed, for housing partners to acquire funding.  Coordinate with local land trust organizations to assist with transfer of development rights to provide density to receiving properties. Coordinate with land/housing trusts to identify and designate appropriate sites for eventual permanent affordability ground leases.  Administer the City’s Multi Family Tax Exemption Program, utility System Development Charge deferrals, and building permit fee waivers, as well other City affordability monitoring and enforcement programs.  Provide analysis and statistics to inform update and implementation of the City’s Housing Needs Assessment and Comprehensive Plan and to achieve community housing goals and implement goals and policies in these documents in addition to the City’s Housing White Paper incentives.  Procure and review due diligence reports, including the preparation of conceptual financial analysis for potential sites including site feasibility analysis.  Issue requests for qualifications from third-party partners, following procedures, rules, and/or standards for affordable housing development.  Provide analysis of relevant housing and affordable housing policy, legislation and financing options.  Support projects that increase the supply and quality of affordable housing and improve services and facilities with equal access for all residents, including people with disabilities.  Build relationships with community partners in the non-profit, public, and private sectors.  Manage databases, including data entry, evaluation, and reporting of City affordability enforcement programs and grant funds management.  Track and map all affordable housing units and projects in the city and the region.  Develop web content and materials for the City website to market City housing opportunities and incentives.  Develop compliance procedures for local housing projects/funds.  Monitor contracts with other governmental agencies and community-based organizations as they relate to the City’s housing programs; formulate improvements and implement changes within the program; consult with the Director and other management staff on work programs, schedules, policies, and housing program development.  Represent the City at meetings such as the Joint City/County Housing Fund Board or City Council as needed.  Assist with urban renewal projects as they relate to community housing to support the creation of additional affordable housing units.  Keep immediate supervisor and designated staff fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.  Communicate and coordinate regularly as appropriate with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.  Perform other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of:  Federal, state, and local housing legislation, regulations, grant programs, and resources, including but not limited to Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Tax Increment Financing, WA Multi Family Tax Exemption Program, Housing Trust Fund, Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Grant (CHIP), and federal tax credits.  Federal, state, and local grant compliance requirements pertaining to affordable housing.  Management and operations of ongoing or future affordability monitoring programs, including but not limited to income qualification verification and landlord-tenant interactions.  Real estate and tax law as it pertains to the development of low-income and affordable housing.  Theories, concepts, principles and practices of housing development process, housing, and real estate finance.  Infrastructure and development financing, phasing, and management concepts. Skilled in:  Computer applications relating to marketing, data management, financial analysis and reporting, and Microsoft 365 software applications.  Policy analysis of relevant housing and affordable housing policy, legislation and financing options.  Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.  Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness. Ability to:  Maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, management, elected officials, community groups, other agencies, customers, and the general public.  Effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, the general public, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.  Develop standard internal tax credit proformas and monitoring programs and train other staff in their use.  Provide in-depth feasibility analyses, conduct research, and prepare narrative reports and proposals.  Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.  Work effectively in a fast-moving and flexible environment.  Understand complex legal documents and regulatory agreements.  Understand and relate to others the goals, concepts, and principles of the City Organization.  Attend meetings outside of regular business hours. QUALIFICATIONS Required:  Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Planning, Finance, Business, Social Sciences or a closely related field.  At least 3 to 5 years’ experience in program management, affordable housing programs, and real estate finance.  Valid Washington Driver’s License and maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. Preferred qualifications:  Current certification as an American Institute of Certified Planner  Project Management Professional Certification  Relevant Master’s Degree WORKING CONDITIONS Duties are performed primarily in an office environment with sitting for long periods of time, using standard office equipment and personal computer. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. May be required to interact with upset customers. This position typically requires movement around the office, reaching, pushing, grasping, finger dexterity, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Telecommuting arrangements may be available for a portion of the workweek according to City policy. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. All employees must comply with all City policies and procedures relevant to their position as a condition of City employment. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.