CDBG Program Representative

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking a Grants Management Specialist III/CDBG Program Representative in the Division of Livable Communities. The agency's mission is to build more homes and lower housing costs across the Commonwealth through partnerships with municipalities, housing authorities, and community stakeholders. This role serves as a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program representative to assigned communities, providing general support and technical assistance. The representative acts as a liaison to state government for assistance a community might require and assists the program manager with special projects, including coordinated program training and informational materials. Data entry into the Federal Reporting System (IDIS) and administrative tasks in the Grants Management System are also part of the role. Additionally, the position provides support to the Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC), Community Development Corporation Certification process, and other CDU programs as assigned. Excellent communication skills, the ability to conduct independent research, build relationships with external partners, and convey compliance requirements to grantees are essential. Candidates must also demonstrate fluency with technology and a proven ability to leverage modern tools and systems to improve efficiency, streamline grant management processes, and support continuous modernization initiatives.

Requirements

• Four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, supervisory, managerial or administrative experience in public administration, business administration or business management.
• Of the above experience, at least two years must have been in grants management, contract administration or contract management work.
• Demonstrated fluency with technology and a proven ability to leverage modern tools and systems to improve efficiency, streamline grant management processes, and support continuous modernization initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to conduct independent research.
• Ability to build relationships with external partners.
• Ability to convey compliance requirements to grantees.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written expression.
• Ability to meet deadlines with narrow time constraints.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a work unit.
• Willingness to accept supervision and direction while exercising significant discretion and self-direction in daily responsibilities.
• Ability to understand, explain and apply community/economic development practices given existing conditions, and administrative practices for effective and efficient operations.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations required.
• Familiarity with automated database applications and/or management information systems required.
• Ability to identify municipal planning and management issues and concerns in grantee communities and to work with appropriate Division staff in addressing their resolution.

Nice To Haves

• An Associate's degree with a major in business administration, public administration, or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.
• A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in business administration, or business management, may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.
• Occasional travel is a requirement of this position.
• Some evening work may be necessary.
• Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.
• Experience in program development, provision of technical assistance to municipalities and/or state/local relations preferred.
• Knowledge of document remediation to meet digital ADA accessibility requirements is preferred.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Manages grant contracts between HLC and cities and towns.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate processing of grant-related documents; review and analysis of quarterly and other related reports from grantees; maintenance of accurate and up-to-date grantee-related information in computerized and paper filing systems.
• Conducts on-site field monitoring in accordance with monitoring plan and desk reviews of grantees to evaluate performance relative to grant agreements and all federal and state program policies, procedures and regulations; provides assistance and support to municipalities in resolving contract issues.
• Maintains current and accurate knowledge of federal and state program policies, procedures and regulations and uses it to provide training, technical assistance and support to municipal grantees in the areas of application preparation, funding eligibility and program implementation, and in complying with state and federal program requirements.
• Serves as a technical assistance and training resource to communities and HLC staff including acquiring and providing a high level of expertise in a specialized area (e.g., economic development in small towns, lead-based paint, federal labor standards) and sharing that expertise with staff and communities.
• Keeps abreast of other activities in assigned communities and provides coordinated assistance to all communities.
• Responds to requests for information and assistance from grantees and non-grantee municipalities regarding Division of Livable Communities programs and other programs and resources both within HLC and outside the agency in a timely and responsive manner.
• Reviews and evaluates grant applications utilizing a detailed process designed to ensure the selection of projects meeting strict federal and state program requirements.
• Assists in designing, developing and revising funding applications to reflect periodic changes in program design and on-going improvements to the application format; assists in evaluating and improving the grant application evaluation process to incorporate program revisions and refinements.
• Assists in developing or revising of other program documents as necessary.
• Establish procedures and policies in grants management, coordinate assigned unit activities, and recommend changes in grant administration based on grantee performance/compliance.
• As needed, works with other division members to develop and recommend coordinated responses to communities' needs and assists in developing/revising programs to address those needs through policy and program design.
• Participates constructively in Division-related administrative activities in order to gain and share information within the Division, and ultimately with communities as appropriate.
• Maintains web-based program files, records and database.
• Performs quality control and data entry tasks in Integrated Disbursement & Information System (IDIS) with direction of the manager.
• Assists with administrative tasks in the Grants Management System as needed.

Benefits

• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree