HUMAN, HOMELESS AND FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNDERWRITER II

Under general supervision, the Underwriter II is responsible for the evaluation of funding requests and making recommendations regarding the award of grant, tax incentive, and demolition funds. Such funds are typically utilized to: (1) develop low-income single and multifamily housing mixed-use developments; (2) create and preserve affordable housing within the greater downtown area and city neighborhoods; (3) utilize tax incentives; (4) oversee demolitions; and (5) manage the City's efforts to combat homelessness or (6) review and approve applicants receiving grant funds for home repair. This is an intermediate level position that performs an expanding range of professional underwriting assignments in a developing capacity. The Underwriter II independently plans and carries out the assignments in conformance with accepted policies and practices; adheres to instructions, policies, and guidelines in exercising judgment to resolve commonly encountered work problems and deviations; and brings controversial information or findings to the supervisor's attention for direction. The supervisor outlines or discusses possible problem areas and defines objectives, plans, priorities, and deadlines. Assignments have clear precedents requiring successive steps in planning and execution. The supervisor provides assistance on controversial or unusual situations that do not have clear precedents; reviews completed work for conformity with policy, the effectiveness of the Underwriter's approach to the problem, technical soundness, and adherence to deadlines; and does not usually review in detail the methods used to complete the assignment. Review and interpret State statutes involving tax incentives. Prepare and make presentation and reports before City Council, as well as with City Council members before their constituents. Liaise with State Officials from the Michigan Department of Treasury. Ensure all applications comply with both State and local requirements. Coordinate with various internal departments and outside stakeholders to ensure timely review and approval of all applications and submission to the State Tax Commission. Facilitate implementation of a customer resource management software. Work directly with developers, consultants, HRD staff, recipients, or sub-recipients to analyze the contents of application packages to determine whether they meet criteria for support. Work with recipient or sub-recipient to identify and achieve mutual goals. Interpret and ensure compliance with Federal, State, local and departmental program regulations, policies, and procedures through extensive underwriting analyses, and provide responses to internal and external inquiries. Lead the City's financial closing process of development projects with borrowers, lenders and legal teams and assist in the creation, development, implementation, and modifications of legal documents. Coordinate with HRD construction managers and compliance inspectors to understand the development and rehabilitation project's scope of work and construction costs and performance of work. Manage payment requests for projects under construction and document a running balance of program funds. Approve funding within specified limits or criteria or produce memos and present to the HRD Award Committee or management with specific recommendations for the appropriate amount of funding to be invested in projects. Monitor regulations for changes which may affect the operating procedures and policies of the department and associated agencies. Recommend changes to policies, procedures, and standards to improve processes and procedures and the team's alignment with City goals and initiatives. Perform Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and related housing research as required; prepare reports for City management and City Council and obtain approvals from City Council for recommended funding allocations. Promote public awareness of City housing improvement projects and funding programs by conducting presentations to the public and other community organizations. Analyze and evaluate housing development pro-forma models for financial feasibility. Collaborate closely with other HRD teams including Public Private Partnership, Policy and Implementation, environmental compliance, and Asset Management to ensure coordinated efforts across development and rehabilitation projects. Perform special projects and other duties as assigned. Qualifications (required): Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, public policy, urban planning, accounting, finance, economics, or other related field of study. Two (2) years professional experience in risk evaluation related to the granting of loans or insurance for housing development projects, as well as a systematic preparation, review, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of sub-recipient data, budgets, grants, loans, or other financial data. Two (2) years of professional project management experience. Two (2) years of professional experience working with affordable housing programs including but not limited to LIHTC, HOME, CDBG, NSP, Section 8. Two (2) years of demonstrated capacity for collaboration, performing multiple tasks with shifting priorities, and relationship management. A passion for affordable housing and development within the city of Detroit. Equivalency Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Evaluation Plan Interview:

70%

Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications:

30% Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.

P:

100%

LRD:

01/10/2023 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, which includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Knowledge of regulations governing specialized programs sufficient to advise applicants on program guidelines. Knowledge of Federal and State housing programs and laws, rules and regulations governing those programs and ability to advise applicants on program guidelines. Knowledge of communication strategies to the press, government organizations, and public on various housing rehabilitation and community development issues. Skill in interviewing and assessing program client needs, financial profiles, and suitability for housing rehabilitation programs. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, and exercising sound, independent judgment with established guidelines. Skill in negotiation and problem-solving. Skill in dealing tactfully and effectively with others throughout the course of work. Skill in giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times Communications and interpersonal interactions. Skill in talking to others to convey information effectively. Skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurately written reports and correspondence. Skill in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents appropriate to the audience. Ability to explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards. Ability to effectively communicate to the press, government organizations, and public on various housing rehabilitation and community development issues. Ability to work effectively under pressure and within time constraints. Ability to maintain records and prepare reports. Ability to communicate detailed and technical information clearly and accurately to both internal and external program stakeholders. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.