Housing Collaborative Outreach Specialist - Grant Funded

Ingham County•Mason, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Ingham County Treasurer and the Housing Trust Fund Coordinator in the Treasurer’s Office, the Housing Collaborative Outreach Specialist assists in all aspects of communications, community outreach, and event support to implement the goals of the Housing Trust Fund as outlined by its committee. The Specialist will assist in maintaining communication and training opportunities for organizations, agencies, businesses, and individuals involved in housing in the Greater Lansing region, as well as assisting with outreach to potential homebuyers particularly in communities that have historically faced barriers to homeownership. This position will help create, organize and distribute materials to a broad range of community and housing partners, municipalities, state funding agencies, current homeowners, and potential homebuyers. The Specialist will perform a variety of other tasks related to the communication between non-profit, community agencies, and government organizations.

Requirements

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Finance, Community Development or closely related field with one (1) year of relevant experience. OR Associate’s Degree with two (2) years of relevant experience in housing stabilization, public policy, or community development.
Experience working with social service agencies or in a customer service and/or real estate development field is a plus.
Ability to work independently without continuous supervision and hold oneself accountable to deadlines and deliverables.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Valid Michigan Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.
This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
This position’s physical requirements entail stamina in walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping.
This position’s physical requirements entail continuous stamina in sitting, standing, typing, and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
This position performs sedentary work requiring a negligible amount of effort in the physical requirements above.
This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
This position requires the ability to operate a PC/Laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with social service agencies or in a customer service and/or real estate development field is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage collaborative partnership initiatives which consists of working to maintain open lines of communications with community housing partners to assist in connecting potential developers, community partners, and the general public to regional and state housing initiatives - including but not limited to facilitation and support for several Regional Housing Partnership efforts, and promoting programs to connect Ingham County residents with housing opportunities.
Act as liaison for Housing Trust Fund initiatives, both through events and web and print outreach materials.
Create materials and mechanisms to share knowledge and resources on federal, state, county, and local programs available and help potential developers, current homeowners in need of home rehab and repair services, and potential homebuyers.
Serve as a contact to respond to inquiries for more information about home ownership opportunities and housing rehab and repair services.
Develop relationships with housing partners, lenders, and real estate professionals working with potential homeowners seeking resources in order to connect them with available resources and programs, including getting them correct materials, contact information, or assisting with applications directly on their behalf.
Collaborate with other organizations and housing partners regarding regional and county initiatives, make needed purchases, design or write promotional materials and annual reports, work with local media, advertisers, and community groups to publicize events.
Attend events as a representative of the Ingham County HTF or regional partners, may include preparing materials for presentations.
Research and understand eligibility requirements for housing development and homeowner assistance programs that work to create new housing opportunities. Requires ongoing education as programs change and evolve, as well as good record keeping and communication while working in partnership across programs (federal, state and private).
Communicate program updates and to the Housing Trust Fund Committee, Ingham County Treasurer’s Office, and key County, Regional and State collaborative partners.
Assist with the logistics and planning for meetings, trainings, resource fairs, and public events for coalition-building, resource sharing, and education.
Provide support for connecting homebuyers to down payment assistance program information, with a specific focus on County-subsidized developments.
Coordinate with partners as well as HTF staff to promote these programs.
Serve as the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) lead grant administrator, under an annual MSHDA contract, to help revise the Statewide Housing Plan and implement the plan in the three-county region that includes Ingham County.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to confidentiality and other privacy issues.
During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.
Perform a variety of other functions related to administrative operations of the office.