Community Development Specialist

 

GENERAL SUMMARY: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to ensure compliance with ethical and Housing and Urban Development HUD) regulatory standards; perform technical and administrative community development work; and perform other duties as assigned.

 

The ideal candidate possesses the ability to follow a management philosophy that is input oriented and values equity, problem solving and the development of partnerships; the ability to work effectively as a member of a team; and the desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and teamwork.  

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work in this class involves the responsibility for managing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and compliance with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. Employees in this class are responsible for grant finance management and for monitoring grant and loan agreement compliance by external organizations. Although the work is performed in accordance with established policies and standards, employees in this class must exercise individual initiative and independent judgment and discretion. The Housing and Community Development Director provides general supervision and reviews work through reports, conferences and results achieved.

 

·        Communicate with government agencies.

·        Communicate organizational policies and procedures recommendations.

·        Advise others on technical legal or regulatory compliance matters; and business or operational matters.

·        Maintain regulatory or compliance documentation; knowledge of current developments in CDBG and HUD programming and requirements.

·        Confer with organizational members to accomplish work activities.

·        Determine operational compliance with regulations or standards.

·        Conduct employee training programs; financial or regulatory audits.

·        Liaise between departments or other groups to improve function or communication.

·        Verify accuracy of records.

·        Implement organizational process or policy changes.

·        Analyze risks to minimize losses or damages.

·        Develop operating strategies, plans or procedures; sustainable organizational policies or practices.

·        Prepare the five year HUD Consolidated Plan and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation reports; federal financial Women and Minority Business Enterprise, semi-annual labor standards enforcement and annual Section 3 reports; and sub-recipient contracts; and written correspondence.

·        Update low/moderate income area maps using census information; and knowledge about emerging industry trends.

·        Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.

·        Monitors the CDBG program and compliance with HUD regulations; compliance with CDBG regulations; and procedures to ensure proper functioning.

·        Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.

·        Manage control system activities in organizations; and environmental sustainability projects.

·        Conduct fair housing analyses in accordance with the human rights ordinance.

·        Evaluate green operations or programs for compliance with standards or regulations; program and project effectiveness.

·        Coordinate interdepartmental and intra-agency responsibilities; and reporting or editing activities.

·        Examine marketing materials to ensure compliance with policies or regulations.

·        Provides support to the Community Development Advisory Commission.

·        Serve as the labor compliance officer for monitoring construction contractor compliance with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage regulations for CDBG contracts.

·        Interpret grant program rules and application procedures.

·        Assess and resolve technical problems in program areas.

·        Develop and implement methods for community information and participation.

·        Publish required notices.

·        Assure compliance with Affirmative Action requirements.

·        Assist in the preparation of the annual department budget and the annual city audit.

·        Review proposed projects for funding eligibility.

·        Collect information.

·        Respond to questions and service requests.

·        Participate in the City’s intercultural competency training and program.

·        Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, and agency rules specifically for the CDBG program.

·        Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

·        Bookkeeping and Accounting – principles and practices.

·        Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

·        Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, training, and selection.

·        Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of word processors, electronic equipment, spreadsheets, and computer hardware and software, including databases and applications.

·        Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

·        Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

·        Reading Comprehension and Communication - Reading and understanding work-related information such as contracts, leases, financial reports and other legal instruments; and being able to communicate that information clearly to others.

·        Active Listening and Learning - Listening to others, not interrupting, asking good questions, and figuring out how to use new ideas.

·        Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

·        Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one in order to resolve problems with regard to established best practices.

·        Social and Cultural Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions and maintaining sensitivity to the cultural differences and impacts of decisions on others.

·        Deductive Reasoning and Inductive Reasoning - Using and making rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information in order to solve problems.

 

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Employee shall establish their principal place of residence within thirty (30) miles of the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque as soon as practicable after appointment, but within two years of appointment.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

APPLICATION: To learn more and apply, please visit: www.cityofdubuque.org/jobs to submit your application by the deadline of August 13, 2022. Questions regarding the position or recruitment process may be directed to the Human Resources Department at humanresources@cityofdubuque.org. 

 

The City of Dubuque provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. The City of Dubuque encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.