Housing and Grants Specialist

Job Title

Under general supervision of the Housing and Grants Manager and Director of Community Development, plans, organizes, and manages the City's housing and grants programs; seeks out grants and prepares funding applications; administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) programs; implements housing and community development-related programs and projects; and administers other federal and state funding programs from granting agencies in support of various City projects and programs.

Job Requirements

These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The examples of work performed are neither restricted to nor all-encompassing of the duties to be performed under this job title.

• Identify appropriate grant opportunities; research and prepare grant proposals; outline plans, strategies, goals, and objectives; organize public hearings on community needs and responsive proposals.
• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and ongoing administration of grants and grant-funded programs and projects; allocate funding and coordinate funding deadlines; prepare reports involving grant performance, including but not limited to expenditures, activity levels, outcomes, and goals.
• Administer CDBG and HOME programs and assist in administering the Ukiah Housing Trust Fund.
• Prepare various financial, real estate, and legal documents related to loans, deeds, liens, and grants, including but not limited to loan summary reports, loan underwriting, and closing documents.
• Coordinate and monitor the work of contractors, inspectors, and grant subrecipients. May require visits to construction and work sites to monitor compliance with federal laws and regulations.
• Coordinate with other City departments, homeowners, real estate professionals, nonprofits, and contractors to deliver grant and loan program materials efficiently and effectively.
• Process regulatory documentation; respond to inquiries from internal and external sources; and present written and oral reports on administrative and policy subjects.
• Update databases and tracking systems related to the Grants Program Division and Department.
• Make presentations to executive staff and the City Council.
• Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of federal and state grants administration.
• Applicable federal, state, and local legislation and grant regulations and requirements.
• Effective grants management techniques.
• Basic finance principles.

Ability to:

• Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; and work independently and effectively with little direction.
• Exercise initiative and sound judgment, and react resourcefully, creatively, and responsibly under pressure and time constraints.
• Demonstrate good judgment and critical thinking in executing duties, identifying issues, seeking solutions, and recommending improvements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and nonprofit agencies, decision makers, grant subrecipients, state and federal program staff, and community groups.
• Provide verbal and written information, direction, and advice to a wide variety of people, including presenting information at public meetings.
• Set up and maintain paper and electronic filing systems for records, correspondence, and other material.
• Operate office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, and phone systems; and use computers for spreadsheet, word processing, presentations, database management, and other applications (must be able to use Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat proficiently and have the aptitude to learn the use of other software programs as needed).
• React to change productively and to handle other tasks as assigned.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain required qualification would be: At least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Economics, Community/Economic Development, or a related field and two years of full-time professional government or nonprofit experience in grants management, community/economic development, or other closely related profession. A master's degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, or Community/Economic Development may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience. Language Skills English (read, write, and the use of proper grammar). Bilingual/Spanish-speaking preferred. Necessary Special Requirement Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Selection Procedure

Applications must be filled out completely. Resumes submitted in lieu of completing an application will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed by a screening committee and those applicants who appear to be among the best qualified will be selected for the examination process. This process may include a variety of techniques designed to test applicants' knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job. An eligibility list will be established by ranking candidates by their overall score and a selection will be made from the candidates on this list. All employment offers are subject to a City-paid physical examination and a thorough reference and background check.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, the City must verify, once an employment offer has been made, that all persons have written proof of their right to work in the United States.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at View phone number on click.appcast.io so your request may be reviewed prior to the occurrence of the test.

The City of Ukiah is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. Continually working to promote diversity, equity, transparency, and justice through the adoption and implementation of City practices, policies, and procedures.