Housing and Community Development (HCD) Specialist II

The Orange County Housing and Community Development Department has an opening for a Housing and Community Development (HCD) Specialist II. An employee in this class coordinates and administers services for low- and moderate-income Orange County residents related to housing rehabilitation and community development activities. Work includes coordinating with other County departments and community partners on issues related to community development activities, assessing housing needs, creating and implementing community development strategies, collecting, compiling, monitoring and analyzing housing program data, and ensuring compliance with housing programs and federal, state, and local funding sources. Work is performed under limited supervision by the Housing and Community Development Manager. Does related work as required.

Examples of Essential Functions: Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

• Coordinates all Urgent Repair and Housing Rehabilitation Programs run by the Department, including those programs funded by the NC Housing Finance and/or other Federal, State. Local, or private agencies.
• Coordinates and supports the administration of the Risk Mitigation and Housing Stabilization Fund (AKA Emergency Housing Assistance) including application processing for assistance, coordinating with the Towns to support administration of their housing assistance funds through the Housing Helpline, tracking payments and fund balance with assistance from the Department’s Business Officer, updating guidelines and applications as needed, providing outreach, and supporting the Housing Helpline and Housing Help Programs.
• Coordinates the Orange County Home Preservation Coalition (OCHPC) including maintaining the OCHPC database, scheduling and running meetings, facilitating communication and collaboration among Coalition members, seeking new partnerships and funding sources, and exploring opportunities for operational improvement.
• Assists with coordination of Orange County’s Displacement Mitigation Assistance Program (D-MAP) for manufactured home residents.
• Works with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) representatives to provide HOME program information, analysis, reporting, and compliance requirements for receipt of HUD funds.
• Collects, compiles and analyzes rehabilitation program and HOME funding data, and creates reports detailing program performance and impact.
• Collects and reviews quarterly reports from all Housing and Community Development program grantees and sub-recipients and, along with the Community Development Manager, monitors them for program compliance.
• Manages the monitoring and compliance process for rehabilitation programs and HOME funding which includes reviewing records, overseeing and coordination of the monitoring schedule, requesting current/updated reports, and providing feedback to program participants and management regarding potential issues of non-compliance.
• Evaluates grant and external funding opportunities in terms of budget or program implications such as matching requirements, staff support and/or other long-term financial commitments.
• Completes and submits annual federal and state grant applications; applies for other grants to support the goals of the County, Towns and stakeholders.
• Provides ongoing evaluation of the Department’s Housing and Community Development programs and submits recommendations for programmatic and policy changes to improve efficiency and make programs more responsive to community needs.
• Conducts briefings and facilitates housing outreach information sessions, along with other Department staff, for Orange County residents and applicable groups.
• Assists the Department Director and Housing and Community Development Manager with coordinating the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board’s meetings and activities.  Tasks include agenda setting and drafting, providing meeting materials, generating and presenting reports on Department activities, and providing general assistance and updates to members when needed.
• Attends, as needed, monthly meetings of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and quarterly/special meetings of the Orange County Local Government Affordable Housing Collaborative.
• Assists the Community Development Manager on the development of Orange County’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan and/or Annual Action Plan.
• Works with the Housing Rehabilitation Specialists and the Housing and Community Development Manager on projects, including regular meetings to review the applicant pool and to approve assistance.
• Creates, maintains and updates Housing and Community Development program dashboards and the Master Housing Rehabilitation Log.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence poverty and housing insecurity.
• Thorough knowledge of available state and federal housing programs and their eligibility requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of current social, economic and housing trends and services, and the ability to adapt trends to practical program applications.
• General knowledge of housing and community development trends, principles and practices.
• Skill in being customer-focused, adept at problem solving and working collaboratively with others.
• Skill in interviewing persons, gathering information and using various clinical assessment tools to evaluate the needs of clients, summarize and interpret findings, and develop assistance alternatives.
• Ability to demonstrate integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
• Ability to work effectively with funding agencies, other County departments, and nonprofit and/or neighborhood organizations.
• Ability to clearly interpret and apply all applicable Federal, State and local laws, ordinances and other regulations, policies and procedures as they pertain to various housing programs to ensure compliance.

Graduation from a regionally accredited or recognized college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and/or Political Science, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Community Development or related field AND five (5) years’ of direct work experience in housing or community development; OR An equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Master’s degree in a related field of study is preferred.

Direct link to the opportunity