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SalaryJob Description
The City of Raleigh Housing and Neighborhoods Department is looking for an experienced and committed professional who wants to be part of the solution to ending and preventing homelessness. The Department is looking for a Homeless and Community Programs Specialist, who is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing programs and projects to end and prevent homelessness.
The Housing and Neighborhoods Department is committed to improving the quality of life for all Raleigh residents through a variety of programs and activities throughout the city. The Department provides funding to create and preserve affordable housing and for services and programs benefitting individuals with low- to moderate-incomes. The Department also enforces codes to ensure safe and decent housing and carries out neighborhood revitalization and Community engagement and enrichment activities. The Homeless and Community Programs Specialist’s role is key to the successful design and implementation of the City’s strategy to end and prevent homelessness and reports the department’s Homeless and Community Programs Manager.
About the Opportunity:
The Community and Small Business Development Division of the Housing and Neighborhoods Department administers the City’s housing and Community development programs funded with local and federal funds. These resources support a wide range of programs that add value in the community, including increasing access to affordable housing and helping end and prevent homelessness. Many activities are carried out through third parties, which involves contracting with and monitoring subrecipients and issuing Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Work also includes implementing elements of the City’s Strategic Plan relative to affordable housing and homelessness. Additionally, the work includes the preparation of required plans and reports and ensuring compliance with HUD requirements.
The Homeless and Community Programs Specialist is part of the Department’s newly formed Homeless and Community Programs Team, which is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing programs and projects to end and prevent homelessness, and supporting the Raleigh/Wake County homeless response system, including the Wake County Continuum of Care (CoC). The Homeless and Community Programs Specialist’s primary duties are to serve as a project manager for contracts related to the provision of homeless services, and to support the homeless response system by participating in CoC committees, funding allocation processes, and reporting. The Homeless and Community Programs Specialist also assists with assessing the homeless response system and funded agencies’ performance and identifying gaps in the system as well as capacity-building needs of homeless services. The Homeless and Community Programs Specialist will work closely with the Housing Development, and Planning and Compliance teams. The position reports to the Homeless and Community Programs Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following, other duties may be assigned.
- Assist with the allocation processes for federal funds targeted to addressing Homeless and housing needs, including Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).
- Administer the City’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, which requires a working knowledge of program guidelines. Responsibilities include: developing RFPs; developing contract scopes of work; managing grant contracts; and monitoring grant award subrecipients for program compliance.
- Support development and dissemination of Department-issued Requests for Proposals (FRPs) for programs and projects and review proposals for project funding as part of a team.
- Draft contracts for funded agencies, including meeting with subrecipients to discuss terms and conditions, preparing memos for City Council review, and overseeing contract execution and project startup.
- Monitor project implementation through review of reports and invoices, meet with homeless service providers to ensure that project is on track, identify any potential risks to the project and/or to the City, and ensure that applicable federal and City funding requirements are being met.
- Assist with reporting on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homelessness programs.
- Conduct research/data analysis and recommend Housing First and other evidence-based and best practices for ending and preventing homelessness.
- Support the drafting and implementation of policies and procedures to improve CoC coordination and performance, including capacity building, program performance evaluation, project monitoring, and other needs as identified.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with homeless service providers to ensure open communication, provide technical support and share regulatory and compliance updates.
- Participate in Wake County Continuum of Care (CoC) meetings and workgroups and provide input on how the City can strategically deploy its resources to best meet community needs.
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may function as a team lead as necessary.
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in social work, public administration, human services or directly related field and five years of community development, affordable housing/homeless services, and/or related policy experience.
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.
Licensing/Certifications:
Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain one within 60 day of employment.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have working knowledge of Microsoft programs, Windows accessories, and PowerPoint and Publisher.
Additional Information
ADA and Other Requirements:
Physical Demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an indoor or office environment.
