Lead Program Specialist (Hybrid)

Lead Program Specialist

The Community and Government Relations Department is seeking a Lead Program Specialist to support and advance a wide range of housing and community development initiatives. This position plays a key role in coordinating and overseeing programs and special projects from initial planning through full implementation.

Primary responsibilities include assisting in the development of procedures related to housing and community development activities, such as project feasibility assessments, underwriting, financing strategies, program design, and coordination of marketing and outreach efforts. The Lead Program Specialist will also monitor program progress and prepare required reports for funders, elected officials, and internal stakeholders.

In addition, this position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong working relationships with community organizations, partner agencies, employees, and city representatives to support effective collaboration and overall program success.

This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional who can successfully manage multiple priorities while contributing to the strategic goals of the department.

This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Interviews will take place the week of July 6th, 2026, for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 36: $85,363.20 to $119,496.00 ($41.04 to $57.45 per hour).

24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.

Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.

Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.

Pension plan and other retirement investment options.

Advancement/professional development opportunities.

This position will work at the Anoka County Government Building located at 2100 3rd Ave, Anoka, MN, 55303.

These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Lead Program Specialist.

• Organize and facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring, and coordination of programs, special projects, and grant applications.
• Coordinate and oversee programs and special projects.
• Capture and maintain data. Analyze findings and determine outcomes.
• Monitor program progress and prepare required reports to funders.
• Serve as liaison to state and federal agencies. Present progress, findings and recommendations.
• Provide case management services and determine plans for participants according to operating principles.
• Update and maintain changes in program guidebooks and other documentation.
• Provide recommendations related to program coordination, policies, and project budgets.
• Resolve customer and agency complaints.
• Ensure the services and programs are marketed to customers.
• Assist supervisor with efforts to ensure licensing standards and compliance.
• Conduct quality control audits of critical safety and security policies and procedures including well-being checks, head counts, and emergency procedures.
• Develop and provide staff training for new and existing staff.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group, and may act as a lead providing daily work direction and managing timeline of weekly activities depending on assignment.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of job-related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Degree in Business, Finance, Public Administration, Housing, Urban Studies, or a related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of affordable housing development and community development programs, including related policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong understanding of public financing mechanisms, funding sources, and financial structures commonly used in housing and community development projects.
• Demonstrated experience with regulatory compliance, including the ability to interpret, apply, and monitor adherence to federal, state, and local requirements.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information, prepare high-quality reports, and engage effectively with diverse audiences.

Standard office environment.

Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness.

Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.

Assignments are sedentary, occasionally alternating between sitting, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling as required to perform job responsibilities. Frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work.

Occasional lifting of 10-20 lbs.

Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment.

Occasional travel to other county work sites as needed. Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.