Housing Program Specialist (Community Development and Housing)

DHRM•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Housing Program Specialist administers the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program (ASNH), supporting the production and preservation of affordable housing. The role oversees state and federal affordable housing funds and other fiscal resources, implementing programs in accordance with federal, state, and agency regulations, policies, and procedures. The specialist also provides technical assistance and training to local grantees and prospective applicants to help them access grant funds effectively. As a member of the ASNH team, the specialist participates in the competitive application process, helps develop pre-application materials, and assists developers with preparing Program Agreements that meet legal and applicable regulatory requirements. The role also collects, interprets, and analyzes data on assigned initiatives and provides recommendations to the Program Manager. Periodic overnight travel is required. The position is telework-eligible under the Commonwealth of Virginia’s telework policy.

Requirements

Analytical skills, including data and information analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, and research.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and build working relationships with diverse populations, team members, and stakeholders.
Ability to read and interpret program regulations and apply them to grant financial administration and monitoring grantee activities.
Knowledge of business administration financial practices, including payment processing, expense reporting, and financial account reconciliation.
Significant problem-solving skills and the ability to apply them to program-specific situations with limited oversight.
Experience managing multiple programs, priorities, and/or projects.
Experience conducting and providing training workshops, making technical presentations, and facilitating group discussions.
Work experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, for creating reports, drafting documents, and preparing presentations.
Considerable experience using spreadsheets and database programs.
Ability to engage in periodic overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of grant administration.
Knowledge of federal housing programs and the housing development field.
Experience in program compliance and monitoring, and/or program evaluation and implementation.
Experience administering and tracking payments with state and federal grants.

Responsibilities

Administer the Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program, supporting affordable housing production and preservation.
Oversee state and federal affordable housing funds and other fiscal resources.
Implement programs in accordance with federal, state, and agency regulations, policies, and procedures.
Provide technical assistance and training to local grantees and prospective applicants.
Participate in the competitive application process, including assisting with development of pre-application materials.
Provide technical assistance to developers in preparing Program Agreements that comply with legal and federal and state program requirements.
Collect, interpret, and analyze data on assigned initiatives and provide actionable recommendations to the Program Manager.
Conduct and provide training workshops and technical presentations, and facilitate group discussions with diverse stakeholders.