Community Development Specialist - Hybrid

County of Wake, NC•Raleigh, NC

8d•$27 - $39•Hybrid

About The Position

Wake County is seeking a detail-oriented, analytical, and proactive professional to join the Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Department as a Community Development Specialist (CDS). This role supports the administration, monitoring, reporting, and regulatory compliance of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement grants and other grant programs like CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, ESG, and CoC. Working closely with the Housing Grants Administrator, the CDS will ensure grant-funded activities meet federal, state, and local requirements, supporting affordable housing, homelessness, and community development initiatives. The ideal candidate is organized, collaborative, possesses strong analytical, written communication, and problem-solving skills, and is comfortable managing detailed information, learning program requirements, handling multiple priorities, and collaborating with partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field.
No specific experience required.
Valid Driver's License and a "safe" driving record.
Equivalent education and experience are accepted.
Ability to interpret and apply federal grant requirements, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Solid analytical skills, with the ability to collect, monitor, validate, and assess programmatic, financial, and performance data for accuracy and completeness.
Ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and with external partners.
Solid written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex information and prepare and present reports and findings.
Ability to identify and recommend improvements to processes, systems, tools, and procedures that strengthen grant administration and compliance.
Solid organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and take proactive action to accomplish objectives.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience in community development, affordable housing, planning, project management, grant administration, or public administration.
Experience with HUD entitlement programs or other federally funded programs, including grant administration, monitoring, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Experience using grant management, reporting, or data systems such as IDIS, HEROS, SAGE, HMIS, Neighborly, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Assist with drafting and preparing HUD entitlement plans and reports, including Annual Action Plans, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPER), Consolidated Plans, Analysis of Impediments, grant applications, public notices, and other regulatory reports.
Support grant management systems and databases, including IDIS, HEROS, SAGE, HMIS, Neighborly, and other applicable systems.
Collect, analyze, and validate programmatic, financial, and performance data, using project management strategies to support timely and accurate outcomes.
Support the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of internal policies, procedures, monitoring tools, and compliance frameworks.
Communicate and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, provide technical assistance, and assist with public notices, community engagement, and other grant administration activities.