Housing Rehabilitation Specialist

Housing Rehabilitation Specialist

Starting pay: $34.34/hour Increases to $36.03/hour after six months Are you a construction or project management professional looking to make a visible, lasting impact in your community? Join the City of Decatur's Economic & Community Development Department as a Housing Rehabilitation Specialist and put your technical skills to work improving homes, supporting neighborhood revitalization, and helping residents invest in where they live. This hands-on role combines property inspections, project oversight, contractor coordination, and community outreach — and the results of your work are visible every day across Decatur's neighborhoods. Enjoy a generous package of perks including:

• Competitive benefits: 14.5 paid holidays (including 2 personal days), paid vacation and sick leave, excellent health insurance, and a strong retirement pension plan
• Dedicated health center: Free check-ups, chronic care, bloodwork, immunizations, and many free prescriptions for employees and their dependents.

Working hours for this position are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist is a full-time position with a one-year probation period.

Key Responsibilities

Housing Rehabilitation Project Management

• Conduct property inspections and document housing deficiencies after application submission
• Develop scopes of work, cost estimates, bid specifications, and all required project documentation
• Coordinate bidding processes and make contractor selection recommendations to the Grants Manager
• Monitor rehabilitation projects to ensure quality workmanship, code compliance, and timely completion
• Review contractor performance and recommend change orders and project modifications as needed

Program Administration & Compliance

• Assist with the administration, implementation, monitoring, and compliance of housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, and grant-funded programs
• Verify contractor qualifications and confirm compliance with all program requirements
• Maintain complete project records and assist with program reporting and documentation

Community Outreach & Neighborhood Revitalization

• Serve as liaison between homeowners, contractors, community organizations, and City staff
• Conduct informational meetings within the community and educate residents on rehabilitation programs and eligibility requirements
• Promote self-help programs and private responsibility for neighborhood maintenance, growth, and revitalization

Additional Support

• Participate in the planning, development, and implementation of housing and neighborhood revitalization programs
• Provide assistance to staff on special projects and departmental initiatives as assigned

Qualifications and Preferred Skills

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Training and/or experience in construction, project management, housing rehabilitation, property maintenance, lead abatement, or a related field

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered

Technical Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of building construction methods, property maintenance practices, and real estate principles
• Thorough knowledge of municipal codes, ordinances, and housing regulations
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local housing, labor, wage, and equal opportunity requirements
• Ability to interpret construction-related plans, specifications, and project documents

Skills & Abilities

• Strong project coordination, organizational, and documentation skills
• Ability to prepare accurate cost estimates and written scopes of work
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with homeowners, contractors, community partners, and City staff
• Proficiency with computers, basic accounting, and mathematical calculations
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid Illinois driver's license
• Must obtain Lead Worker Certification, Lead Supervisor Certification, successfully pass the State of Illinois lead examination, and obtain Illinois Licensed Lead Supervisor status within six months of employment
• Must obtain Asbestos Surveying Certification within one year of employment if not already certified

Sponsorship for Employment

The City of Decatur does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B). To be considered for regular employment with the City of Decatur, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis.

More Details

Examination Process

The examination process will consist of the components listed below. The combination of the written examination and oral interview will constitute 100% of the final examination score.

• Written Examination Applicants will be required to take a written examination tailored to this position. Applicants are required to score at least 70.00%.
• Oral Interview Applicants passing the written test must pass an oral interview with a minimum score of 70.00%.
• Veteran Points Applicants passing the written test and oral interview may be eligible to receive 5.00 veteran preference points added to their final examination score.
• Seniority Points Applicable persons passing the written test and oral interview will receive 0.50 seniority preference points for each full year of continuous City of Decatur AFSCME service. A maximum of 10.0 points may be added to the final examination score.

The City of Decatur is a drug-free workplace. This includes marijuana. Candidates will be subject to a pre-employment drug screen, physical exam, and background check post offer. Residency The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist position is covered under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) collective bargaining agreement. AFSCME employees shall reside within 50 miles of the corporate limits of City of Decatur. An appointee may reside outside said limits but must comply no later than 90 days after the completion of the probationary period.

About Decatur:

• Central Illinois: Discover affordable living with easy access to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
• Land of Lincoln: Explore Abe's legacy with visits to the nearby Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln's Tomb, and the family's first Illinois home.
• Shopping and Dining: Browse locally-owned boutiques and specialty shops and savor diverse delights at unique restaurants and quaint eateries.
• Entertainment Abounds: Enjoy concerts at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, performing arts at Millikin University, and shows in the historic Lincoln Theatre downtown.
• Outdoor Recreation: Revel in Lake Decatur with boating and kayaking or explore the City's 2,000 acres of parkland for golfing, walking, biking, dog exercising, or playing disc golf.
• Family Fun: Cool off at Splash Cove waterpark or head to Overlook Adventure Park for mini golf or the ropes course.

To Apply Bring your talents where they matter most. Apply by July 5, 2026, and become part of a team dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant Decatur. In this role, you'll tackle meaningful challenges, collaborate with dedicated professionals, and see the direct results of your work throughout the community. If you're ready to grow your career while making a difference every day, we want to hear from you. Complete an application with all requested relevant information. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Downloading a resume can prefill some application sections but does not replace the application.