Housing Specialist

Housing SpecialistThe City of Murrieta is accepting applications for the position of Housing Specialist to fill one (1) current vacancy in our Development Services-Planning Dept. The eligibility list established may be used to fill upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to one (1) year.Under general direction, plans, develops, coordinates, and administers the City's housing programs, policies, and affordable housing initiatives; serves as the City's subject matter expert on housing policy and housing legislation; manages implementation of the City's Housing Element and Housing Authority programs; coordinates affordable housing development initiatives; administers housing grants, contracts, and funding programs; conducts complex policy analysis and legislative research; prepares reports and recommendations for City management, the Housing Authority, Planning Commission, and City Council; represents the City with regional, state, and federal agencies; and performs related work as required.Work Schedule: This position is currently assigned a regular 9/80 work schedule; however, the schedule is subject to change based on operational needs.Receives general direction from the City Planner or assigned management staff. Does not exercise direct supervisory authority over City employees. May provide technical and functional guidance to staff on housing-related matters and may coordinate the work of consultants and contractors within assigned projects.This is the advanced journey-level professional classification responsible for performing, administering, and coordinating the City's housing programs and affordable housing initiatives. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment in interpreting and implementing housing legislation, developing housing policy, managing housing programs, and coordinating complex projects involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove job duties as necessary and will make reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to enable qualified individuals to perform the position's essential functions.Plans, develops, coordinates, implements, and administers the City's housing programs, affordable housing initiatives, and Housing Element to ensure compliance with State housing laws, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements, and City objectivesConducts technical research and analysis related to housing policy, land use, demographics, housing affordability, market conditions, and legislative changes; develops recommendations for housing policies, programs, ordinances, zoning code amendments, and long-range planning initiativesCoordinates implementation of Housing Element programs, monitors program performance, prepares annual progress reports and other required State and federal reporting, and ensures compliance with applicable housing laws, grant requirements, and regulatory mandatesCoordinates housing-related projects, consultant contracts, grant-funded programs, and affordable housing initiatives; develops requests for proposals (RFPs), monitors project schedules and budgets, reviews consultant work products, and ensures compliance with contractual obligationsAdministers housing-related funding programs, including affordable housing financing, revolving loan funds, grant applications, and other financial assistance programs; prepares budget recommendations, monitors expenditures, and evaluates funding opportunitiesPrepares, reviews, and presents agenda reports, technical reports, policy recommendations, ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, and correspondence for the City Council, Housing Authority, Planning Commission, management, and other boards and commissionsOrganizes, facilitates, and participates in public meetings, workshops, community outreach events, and stakeholder engagement activities; provides information regarding housing policies, programs, and development proposals; responds to public inquiries and resolves issues within assigned authorityServes as the City's primary liaison on housing matters with developers, affordable housing providers, community organizations, consultants, regional agencies, County, State, and federal agencies; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships to advance the City's housing objectivesMonitors, researches, and interprets changes in federal, State, and local housing legislation, regulations, and funding programs; evaluates operational impacts and develops recommendations for implementation and policy changesCollects, analyzes, and interprets housing, land use, demographic, economic, and financial data; prepares statistical analyses, forecasts, presentations, and reports to support planning, policy development, and decision-making related to housingCoordinates with Finance and other City departments regarding housing program budgets, financial reporting, affordable housing agreements, and implementation of housing-related initiativesRepresents the City at professional meetings, conferences, regional committees, and interagency working groups related to affordable and workforce housingProvides specialized technical guidance and subject matter expertise to City staff and departments on housing-related matters; coordinates and reviews the work of consultants and contractors on assigned projectsMonitors emerging housing legislation, funding opportunities, and best practices; recommends innovative strategies and program enhancements to increase housing production, preserve affordable housing, and support the City's strategic housing goalReviews and analyzes affordable housing financial pro formas, development budgets, funding structures, and financing proposals to evaluate project feasibility, long-term affordability, and potential impacts to City funding or investmentReviews, coordinates, and assists in the development of loan agreements, regulatory agreements, affordability covenants, and related housing program documents in coordination with the City Attorney's Office and other departmentsPerforms related duties as assignedAny combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social sciences, public health, public administration, social work, planning, or a related field; andFive (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental housing, community services, housing assistance payment programs, or related municipal housing planning activitiesAbility to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as neededHighly desirable:American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP)Certified Housing Development ProfessionalHUD Housing Counselor CertificationNational Affordable Housing Professional (NAHP)Grant administration trainingIn accordance with Government Code 3100, this position is declared to be a disaster service worker subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.Final candidates must successfully complete a basic pre-employment screening process, which includes a Department of Justice Live Scan (DOJ/LS) background check and a non-safety pre-employment physical examination to ensure the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.Knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of housing policy, affordable housing development, housing program administration, community development, and land use planning, including the planning, financing, development, preservation, and management of affordable housing programs and initiativesApplicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, regulatory codes, ordinances, and policies governing housing and land use planning, including the California Housing Element Law, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Housing Accountability Act, Density Bonus Law, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) fair housing requirements, and other legislation affecting housing development and affordabilityPrinciples and practices of public administration, municipal government operations, governmental budgeting, contract administration, grant administration, procurement, project management, and policy development within a local government environmentPrinciples and practices of affordable housing finance, housing funding programs, grant opportunities, revolving loan funds, public financing mechanisms, and financial analysis applicable to housing and community development projectsResearch methods, statistical analysis, data collection and interpretation techniques, and the preparation of technical studies, demographic analyses, policy reports, agenda reports, presentations, and recommendations used in planning and housing program administrationPrinciples and practices of community engagement, public participation, stakeholder collaboration, consensus building, and effective public communication, including conducting meetings, workshops, and presentations before elected officials, boards, commissions, community organizations, and the publicPrinciples of customer service, conflict resolution, negotiation, and relationship management, including techniques for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public officials, developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and members of the publicModern office practices, methods, technology, and software applications used in planning, project management, financial analysis, data management, report preparation, and presentation developmentCurrent trends, emerging legislation, funding programs, and best practices related to housing production, housing affordability, homelessness, community development, housing finance, and State housing policy affecting California local agenciesPrinciples and practices of affordable housing development and finance, including financial feasibility analysis, layered financing, public-private partnerships, and long-term affordability requirementsFederal, State, and local housing and community development funding programs, including eligibility, reporting, monitoring, and compliance requirements applicable to assigned funding sourcesInterpret, apply, and explain complex federal, state, and local housing laws, regulations,