Senior Program Specialist (Unclassified)

JOB CODE: 3631

PAY GRADE: 1160

SALARY RANGE: $32,215 - $54,842

LOCATION OF WORK
Office of Community Development

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direct supervision of the Community Development Program Manager, performs responsible technical work in the administration and supervision of various federal and/or state grant funded programs, including the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Grant, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes grants, other Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, and other federal grant programs. Employees of this class will plan, execute, and evaluate daily program activities, as well as engage program partners, other City-Parish departments, and staff to ensure compliance with HUD regulations and program guidelines. Work also includes performing administrative tasks. General supervision is exercised over Program Specialists, subrecipients, vendors, and developers. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Coordinates daily program activities and administrative functions, including executing contracts and reviewing regular reports from subrecipients, vendors, and developers; responds to requests for information, solves issues, and resolves complaints; interprets regulations and guidelines for program participants; corrects administrative program errors as necessary. Educates program partners on federal regulations and program guidelines; promotes program partner and staff cross-training among various federal programs. Evaluates the work product of staff to ensure the department is continually in compliance with HUD, federal, state, and local regulations. Manages work activities, program functions, and other tasks performed conjointly with other City-Parish departments or outside agencies, including executing contracts, monitoring contract compliance, and reviewing requests for reports or for reimbursements. Works with inspectors in accordance with program regulations. Performs or oversees the performance of administrative activities such as drafting correspondence and maintaining agreement records, contracts, applicant verification forms, additional HUD required forms and other documentation; prepares reports and developer and subrecipient program files. Performs or oversees the performance of re-examinations, site visits, interim interviews, and verification of income to determine and maintain eligibility according to federal guidelines and regulations; completes construction inspections utilizing HUD's Housing Quality Survey Inspections Checklist. Audits developer or subrecipient pro formas and rent rolls, ensures compliance with labor laws, and may perform pre-award risk assessments on subrecipients. Utilizes program regulations knowledge to ensure applicants are able to successfully participate in programs. Forms underwriting decisions in federal programs when needed; works with realtors and private lending institutions to underwrite and close on housing down payment assistance loans; supports residents through the home repair process; renders quality assurance for services provided to the Low-to-Moderate Income Population. Performs review of income determination, closing documents, and subordination requests. Reviews, redesigns, and implements program process improvements with the overall objective of increased and efficient production.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of HUD regulations, including ESG, HOPWA, CDBG, HOME, Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes grants, and other HUD or federal grant programs. Knowledge of loan underwriting practices and procedures and basic standards and techniques of housing market valuation. Knowledge of the issues commonly associated with low-to-moderate income households. Knowledge of the basic principles, practices, and techniques of modern business administration, with the ability to apply them to the administration of HUD housing programs. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products, such as Word and Excel. Ability to work in a team setting and apply problem solving skills to achieve program and departmental goals. Ability to use a computer for word processing, database operation, spreadsheet applications, or other software systems and ability to use related equipment. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to groups and individuals. Ability to compose and prepare effective correspondence and statistical reports. Ability to ensure compliance and accurately interpret applicable HUD regulations and guidelines for program participants. Ability to supervise, prioritize, and evaluate the work of a moderate staff of technical workers in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate successfully with staff, management, other departments, public officials, federal agency officials, vendors, and the public. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS