Community Development Coordinator

The City of Portsmouth is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Community Development Coordinator to lead and administer impactful housing, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization programs. This role is critical to advancing initiatives that serve low- to moderate-income residents while ensuring full compliance with federal funding requirements—particularly the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Starting salary range:

$74,685.09 - $90,780.19 per the Professional Management Association (PMA)

Hours:

Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Schedule:

Monday- 8am-6pm; Tuesday-Thursday-8am-4:30pm; Friday-8am-1pm We encourage you to apply even if you don't satisfy every single bullet point on this list. The City offers a generous compensation and benefits package that includes retirement paid time off including vacation holidays medical & dental insurance flexible spending account professional development career growth longevity incentives and more!

NATURE OF WORK

Position is responsible for the development and implementation of a variety of specialized U.S. Department of Housing and Uban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-funded and other grant funded housing and rehabilitation, social services programs, neighborhood revitalization, public facility improvements, and economic development activities that primarily serve extremely low to moderate income persons. Position plays a key role in the overall administration of the City's CDBG program, particularly with regard to federal reporting and planning requirements, policy development, and the annual budget making and public participation processes. Position is also responsible for administering the City's first-time homebuyer program, Home Town, funded through the Portsmouth Housing Endowment Fund.

SUPERVISION

Incumbent works under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager for Economic and Community Development. Incumbent prioritizes and performs work in accordance with standard practices and previous training, with substantial responsibility and independence. Incumbent is expected to solve problems by adapting methods or interpreting instructions. Instructions for new assignments or special projects are given orally. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with the supervisor. Work is generally reviewed only for appropriateness of actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements. Incumbent supervises and directs the work of the Community Development Administrative Assistant, contractors, and consultants to ensure compliance with regulations and statutes and has access to confidential financial records related to work assignments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or extension of, the position. 1. Develops, implements, and administers a variety of CDBG housing and rehabilitation, social services, neighborhood revitalization, and public facility improvement programs designed to: meet the needs of extremely low to moderate income residents and neighborhoods; remove architectural barriers for residents with disabilities; or create and retain jobs for residents who earn extremely low to moderate incomes. 2. Prepares and administers program/project budgets; regularly reviews and assesses program/project compliance with budgeted line items, existing federal, state, and city fiscal policies and the City Administrative Code, and assesses actual fiscal performance relative to budgeted line items; works with appropriate HUD contacts and City staff to coordinate budget preparation and implementation. 3. Develops and administers guidelines and policies for CDBG funded programs in accordance with federal regulations and policies and assures adherence to appropriate federal, state, and local regulations in the implementation of programs. 4. Prepares five-year consolidated CDBG plan, including annual action plans, performance reports, substantial amendments, and supporting planning documents to be submitted to the Department of U.S. Housing and Urban Development. Utilizes HUD-supported reporting mechanisms including IDIS and Heroes. 5. Conducts annual review of CDBG funded revolving loan portfolios for community development and housing/other activities; prepares annual loan portfolio status report for Finance Department. 6. Leads the first-time home buyer program, called Home Town, and maintains first time homebuyer loan portfolio information including payoff and mortgage records; reviews new loan applications; coordinates with the mortgage lender for application review and underwriting; assesses risk and eligibility of new homebuyer loan applications, receives and records homebuyer loan payments and payoffs, and staffs the Portsmouth Housing Endowment Advisory Board. 7. Maintains the CD website and program materials, including the Home Town information packet and loan application, updated annually. 8. Lead contact for HUD and/or internal City audit requests; conducts annual Subrecipient Monitoring as per CDBG guidelines and best practices; primary point of contact for

HUD CDBG

grant award management system and HUD staff. 9. Designs and implements the public participation processes for CDBG-funded and other grant-funded programs; prepares presentations and disseminates information, including staffing the Citizens Advisory Committee. 10. Provides specific recommendations and provides staff support to various Community Development Block Grant and other advisory committees and boards, the City Manager and the Assistant Manager for Economic and Community Development. 11. Coordinates projects with other departments and serves as a resource to other departments. 12. Prepares, administers, and oversees bid documents and contracts for CDBG funded activities as appropriate. 13. Interacts extensively with federal, state, and local officials and agencies, as well as business representatives. 14. Has ability to attend monthly night meetings. 15. Demonstrated highly functional experience with complex Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and financial tracking tools, as well as with the Microsoft Office Suite. 16. Performs other duties and special projects as may be assigned from time to time by the City Manager and/or the Assistant City Manager for Economic and Community Development.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

An incumbent in this position consistently demonstrates a(n)... 1. Thorough knowledge of the administration of CDBG community development, redevelopment, housing rehabilitation, and other eligible activities. 2. Knowledge of rules and regulations regarding federal financial assistance programs and related programs. 3. Extensive knowledge of IDIS, community development and planning materials, tools and other resources. 4. Strong organizational skills. 5. Effective written and verbal skills. 6. Financial analysis skills in the preparation and presentation of community development issues, programs, activities, and advocacy. 7. Ability to facilitate meetings and obtain a consensus. 8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public. 9. Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, City staff, and government officials at all levels.

ENVIRONMENT, WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT

Position responsibilities include coordinating varied, and sometimes competing, interests. Independent judgment is utilized where proposals or program administration requires changes to policies or needs. Independent judgment is critical, as many of the job responsibilities are complex. Assignments include but are not limited to developing and administering projects from inception to completion; counseling individuals and agencies regarding CDBG and other program eligibility; and developing budgets for CDBG and other programs. The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts, and circumstances surrounding each situation, and determining compliance with applicable city, state, and federal laws. Work is performed under policies, practices, and precedents that may be complex or conflicting, at times. Incumbent uses judgment to analyze specific situations and determine appropriate actions. Incumbent is expected to understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with complex federal, state, and local regulations. Errors can result in delay or loss of service, monetary loss, legal repercussions, and damage to buildings or equipment. Position requires occasional contact with the public and daily contact with clients, other City Departments, and local, state, and federal agencies and other private and non-profit agencies and organizations. The purpose for contact is to conduct public hearings or information sessions for projects and respond to inquiries regarding projects and CDBG grant applications or home loans, to monitor subrecipients and projects, to attend meetings, to attend homebuyer loan closings, and to develop and coordinate programs. Contacts are usually made in writing, in person and on the telephone. The incumbent works in moderately noisy office setting and is required to stand and walk, up to 1/3rd of the time; sit, talk, listen/hear, and use hands up to 2/3rd of the time. Incumbent seldom lifts up to 30 pounds. Normal vision is required. Equipment operated includes office machines and computers. Position may be eligible for limited and defined remote work arrangements if approved by City Manager or Assistant City Manager for Economic and Community Development. May be required to perform site/project inspections in the field.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or Community/Economic Development, and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in federal grant-funded community/economic development, housing, and/or grants management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experiences with CDBG Program Administration, Integrated Disbursement Information System (IDIS), Build America Buy America requirements, Environmental Review processes, and loan application review/ risk assessment and portfolio management are required. A valid driver's license is required and has no offenses that would prohibit or restrict insurability by any insurance carrier providing coverage to the City. (The above descriptions are illustrative. They are intended as guides for personnel actions and are not complete itemizations of all facets of any job)

DISCLAIMER

The essential functions and duties described herein are normal for this position. They are intended as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similarly related or a logical assignment to or extension of the position. Other duties may be required and assigned by the supervisor. The City of Portsmouth is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The City is committed to providing access to equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact our Human Resources Director by phone 603-610-4478.

APPLICATION SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Finalist must complete pre-employment screening, drug testing, & background check.