Housing Development Specialist (Remote/Hybrid - Southeast Colorado)

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
This posting may fill other similar positions in the same class including some permanent regular and term-limited positions.

About the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities. The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration. While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado's approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of "Local Affairs," which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.

Vision

The Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through accessible, affordable, and secure housing; implementing property tax law; capacity building, strategic training, research, technical assistance, and funding to localities.

Mission

Our mission is to help strengthen Colorado's communities

Why work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?

The work we do matters greatly. It matters to us and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado. We love our community and are passionate about supporting our community. We value the diversity that Colorado offers. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs.

In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:

• Medical and dental plans

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans

• Employee wellness programs

• Paid life insurance

• Short and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• Training Opportunities

• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program.

The Division of Housing (DOH) partners with local communities to create housing opportunities for Coloradans who face the greatest challenges in accessing affordable, safe, and secure homes. DOH supports projects ranging from homelessness prevention to homeownership. Our work includes:

• Increasing and preserving Colorado's inventory of affordable housing.
• Managing rental assistance vouchers.
• Creating and supporting collaborative approaches to end homelessness.
• Regulating mobile home parks and the construction and installation of factory-built structures.

For more information visit the Division of Housing.

Office of Housing Finance and Sustainability (OHFS)

Under the mission of DOLA, the Division of Housing Office of Housing Finance and Sustainability, exists to work with public and private entities, nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities to create and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate income persons; to provide shelter and supportive services to the homeless; to provide safe, sanitary, decent housing for low and moderate income persons and families throughout the state through allocation of funds from federal and state grant programs; and, delivery of technical assistance and training to applicants and grantees.

Position Summary
The Housing Development Specialist exists to carry out the Housing Development mission described above by analyzing, negotiating, monitoring and developing applications for financial assistance from private housing developers, local housing authorities, and/or local development organizations. For the term of affordability the Division is financially obligated to HUD for the amount of federal funds invested in affordable housing. This position gives the Division a basis for determining the feasibility of its affordable housing investments.
This position will cover Baca, Bent, Crowley, Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo, Teller counties. Final determination will be made once the successful applicant has been selected.
This position is the Division's lead community engagement contact for a multi-county region and is tasked with increasing the Division's visibility and presence in assigned counties. Identify local housing issues, needs, and opportunities with the goal of increasing impacts and outcomes. Expand the Division's local partners to assist in advancing affordable housing. The location of this position will be remote and require extensive travel within the regional service area and statewide. The incumbent must reside in one of the listed counties and will work remotely. The position reports to the Rural Housing Development Team Manager.
Job Duties
Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Technical assistance and underwriting
Advise private housing developers, local housing organizations, and local governments in using federal and state housing resources to finance acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction of affordable housing proposals. Analyze applications for financial assistance by reviewing for completeness, accuracy, market demand, financial commitments, management capacity, regulatory compliance, financial feasibility, and development cost. Prepares written funding recommendations for presentation to staff and State Housing Board. Position negotiates any revisions to the proposal with the applicant.

Training
Supports the overall development training program for the Division of Housing by developing curriculum, and by providing training and technical assistance to private developers, local housing organization staff, and local government officials. Topics include development of affordable housing, use of federal financial resources, market assessments, development cost, and housing operating expenses. This duty includes teaching Division sponsored workshops, writing instructional manuals, and marketing workshops.
Research and Agency Coordination
Research the incentives or impediments of local laws and regulations on the development of affordable housing. Identify methods and techniques used by other public agencies, private developers, or real estate professionals to increase the availability of affordable housing.

Coordinatingstaff pro/cons
Coordinate with underwriting team on Project Summaries which are used to draft contracts for funding awards. Work with Asset Management staff to establish the performance benchmarks that are included in contracts for each new applicant. Assess grantees performance based on previously DOH funded housing projects or other housing projects developed in Colorado or elsewhere in the United States.

Class Code & Classification Description:

H1N3XXCOMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT III
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(6) Six years of professional experience in multi-family mortgage lending, real estate development, affordable housing programs, and/or housing policy, and/or land planning.

OR

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in finance, business, law, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field as determined by the department.

AND

(2) Two years of professional experience in multi-family mortgage lending, real estate development, affordable housing programs, and/or housing policy, and/or land planning.

OR
Master's degree from an accredited institution in finance, business, law, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field as determined by the department.
AND
(1) One year of professional experience in multi-family mortgage lending, real estate development, affordable housing programs, and/or housing policy, and/or land planning.

OR
Juris Doctor or Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in finance, business, law, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field as determined by the department.
This experience must be documented in your application to be considered for employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• State of Colorado experience in finance or budget tracking;
• Previous or current government experience in multi-family mortgage lending, real estate development, affordable housing programs, and/or housing policy, and/or land planning;
• At least one year of professional experience in affordable housing finance and development;
• Knowledge and experience with federal and state affordable housing programs;
• Demonstrated experience building a strong network of professional connections included but not limited to local government officials, housing authorities, developers, nonprofits, and local lenders within this region of the state;
• Knowledge and experience with financial underwriting;

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to present and provide technical assistance and training to a large group of people.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work across teams.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize assignments, and organize work to accommodate shifting deadlines.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers.

Conditions of Employment:

• You MUST be a Colorado resident to apply for this position.

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

How to Apply:

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.

Applicants may submit a resume, cover letter/letter of interest detailing how their experience and background address the stated minimum and preferred qualifications/competencies of the job and attach to the online application. Applications left blank or marked "See Resume" will not be accepted.

The application may include the following documents:

• A cover letter (attach to your online application).

• A resume (attach to your online application).

Note: Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions, and reinstatements) if applying are required to participate in the comparative analysis process.

Comparative Analysis:

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees be hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a structured review of your application materials and responses to any supplemental questions.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

DOLA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Joel Ferguson, DOLA ADA Coordinator at joel.ferguson@state.co.us.

Email Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include ...