This is responsible professional work in carrying out complex and highly administrative work in the policy direction, coordination, and management of community development activities within the City of Springfield. Work involves responsibility for administering, coordinating, and managing all community and economic development projects that serve to implement the City's housing development strategies. This position works closely with the Office of Compliance. Work is performed with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent professional judgment within the framework of the policies and directives of the Deputy Director of Grant Management and Grants Management Specialist, who reviews work through reports and monitoring, and results achieved. Supervision may be exercised over other employees of a lesser grade.
- Assist in the implementation, administration, and monitoring of all Community Development grants and projects including, but not limited to:
- U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program
- Community Development Block Grant – Emergency Repair Program and/or Disaster Recovery Grant -
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects
- Oversees all aspects of the Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program and/or CDBG Emergency Repair Program in accordance with policies and procedures and federal funding guidelines. Project management includes but is not limited to providing guidance and assistance to homeowners and tenants, contracting for program funds with homeowners, reviewing and ensuring applicant eligibility and completing income certifications in accordance with federal guidelines, maintaining project budgets, coordinating with appropriate vendors on necessary inspections and development of work specifications, coordinate review and approval of project change orders and payments to homeowners, effective project management to ensure projects are progressing in accordance with projected timelines/goals and in accordance with program budgets.
- Assists and oversees homeownership development opportunities, including reviewing developer proposals and budgets, coordinating independent cost estimates, reviewing invoices, scheduling necessary progress inspections, ensuring developer compliance with federal regulations, coordinating re-sale of properties to eligible homebuyers, ensuring projects are managed within approved timelines, budget and specifications and other associated project tasks.
- Appearing before the Springfield Historic Commission for all historic projects managed, and preparing all necessary applications.
- Provide technical assistance to homeowners applying for and going through programs managed, including regular project updates and serve as go-between for inspectors, homeowners and contractors and provide dispute resolution between homeowners and contractors as required under grant funding agreements.
- Provide technical assistance and oversight to developers, contractors and/or vendors providing goods and/or services associated with projects managed.
- Represent the Deputy Development Officer at meetings and events as his/her designee.
- Ensure all assigned projects are managed in compliance with all applicable city, state, and federal laws. Maintain shareable tracking of all projects managed with regular reports to the Deputy Development Officer for Housing, Community Development and Sustainability.
- Request all necessary Davis Bacon, Section 3 and Environmental Review tasks from the Department of Technical Assistance and Compliance Office and review completed records for completeness and accuracy. Perform all necessary duplication of benefits analyses in accordance with the Stafford Act for projects managed.
- Assist on preparation and submission of Local, State and Federal funding grant applications.
- Serve as a liaison between the Department and grantees, vendors and contractors.
- Coordinate project work load and efficient management of projects with intake coordinator, administrative staff and project manager.
- Prepare RFP’s and/or IFB’s in accordance with state and federal procurement laws for goods and services necessary for all projects managed. Including review of proposals and/or bids and award of contracts. Responsible for oversight of all vendor contracts in accordance with contract terms and local, state and federal requirements. Review and approval of vendor invoices.
- Maintain Eligibility and/or National Objective documentation in accordance with federal and state grant funding requirements.
- Assist in all reporting requirements and planning as requested by the Director.
- Update and maintain department website as necessary.
- Complete all quarterly and yearly grant reporting requirements detailing all accomplishments.
- Performs related work as required by the Deputy Development Officer of Housing, Community Development and Neighborhoods.
- Other related duties as assigned
- Must have the ability to obtain lead abatement supervisor, lead inspector risk assessor certifications and complete a lead safe work practices class within sixty (60) days of hire.
- Thorough knowledge of the objectives, philosophy, principles, methods, and techniques of modern municipal community development.
- Thorough knowledge of Community Development programs, projects, functions, and operations as they relate to this position.
- Thorough knowledge of the federal, state and municipal guidelines and regulations involving Community and Economic Development projects.
- Ability to participate in complex technical research and analysis of data, and to develop and manage projects.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with municipal officials, government and business officials, neighborhood organizations and the general public.
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
- Graduation from a four-year college or university.
- Experience in public administration and municipal government programs, especially CDBG, Lead Hazard Control Grant and other Federal and State grant programs.
- Experience in environmental reviews, certified payroll analysis, duplication of benefits analysis and reporting/monitoring government programs preferred.