CNS Grants Specialist

Summary

The purpose of this classification is to perform a variety of technical assignments associated with community development programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and other federal and state grant programs and related activities.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the position.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations and other federal regulations including OMB circulars; attends HUD-sponsored workshops.

Under direction of the CNS Directors or Program Managers, prepares reports, contracts, plans, records, and correspondence, processes, records, updates, forwards, and maintains.

Research grants available to the city and make recommendations; prepare grant proposals; prepare budgets for grants; administer various grants.

Prepares letters, memos, resolutions, press releases, legal notices, proclamations, statistical tables, applications, maps, promissory notes, contracts, and reports to provide information and obtain approvals or to request assistance; forwards to appropriate agencies and maintains related files.

Supports the management of construction, infrastructure, and rehabilitation projects for CDBG, HOME, or related program as assigned to include inspecting all phases of construction to ensure compliance with HUD regulations.

Reviews dwellings funded or to be funded by CDBG and/or HOME to ensure that the property complies with standards in accordance with federal regulations.

Assists with the management of agencies providing public services through the CDBG program.

Coordinates projects with architects/engineers and contractors; administers labor standards regulations; schedules and conduct pre-construction conferences; monitors contractors for labor standards violations and ensures compliance with city/state/federal regulations.

Assists with the preparation of proposal requests for professional services needed for construction projects, prepares resolution to award contracts, prepare contracts; and assists the Director of Federal Programs with meeting with engineers/architects on preliminary and final design phases.

Supports the implementation of the Emergency Solutions Grant program to include assisting with invoicing and monitoring for compliance.

Conducts intake interviews and provides housing counseling assistance in financial management (budget, credit, and managing and protecting assets), housing affordability (renting v. buying and affordable housing options), fair housing, home ownership (pre-purchase and post-purchase), avoiding foreclosure, and tenancy (obtaining and maintaining tenancy and eviction).

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations and other federal regulations including OMB circulars; attends HUD-sponsored workshops.

Assists in the preparation of the five-year consolidated plan, subsequent one-year action plans, and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports for Community Planning and Development Programs pursuant to requirements for the CDBG and HOME Programs.

Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the Department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must meet regular attendance requirements and adjust work hours when auditors are in the office.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a timely manner.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, and managers.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, or a related field preferred; one (1) year of experience in grant oversight and compliance, project coordination, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must pass the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Counseling Program certification examination within six (6) months of employment. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of office and computer equipment including a personal computer and printer, facsimile and copy machines, calculator, and telephone. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things, which include financial reports.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange financial information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, or managers, as well as communicating with the Mayor, Council, department heads and city employees.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of financial and technical documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages and interpret statistical data.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment, which may include computers, and office equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using computer and office equipment.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, documents, computer and office equipment, control knobs, and switches. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: May require the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.