Housing Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for monitoring and implementing the Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery’s (ODR) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Homeowner and Rental Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs in accordance with established policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide technical support to applicants, contractors, and vendors in various areas to include program regulations, program compliance, and administrative requirements
• Implement program policies and evaluate
• Review and evaluate landlord applications and make recommendations to the Senior Program Manager
• Monitor CDBG-DR projects by employing methods such as site visits, review of project status reports, meetings with subgrantees/subrecipients, project architects, contractors, regulatory agency staff, and other tools as may be appropriate for the type of project.
• Communicate findings of site visits and monitoring reviews to the Senior Program Manager, prepare letters outlining the results of the monitoring reviews for signature.
• Ensure the timely disbursement of program documents for all projects in the
• Conduct QA/QC on program files to ensure compliance with internal and federal
• Prepare monthly reports summarizing the status of ongoing
• Review monthly reports submitted by
• Maintain a database by entering, verifying, and backing up
• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing tasks as needed.
• Make recommendations to improve processes and identify program trends (financial and managerial)
• Prepare project description summaries and provide other information as needed for public hearings and other meetings regarding the Homeowner Program.
• Assist with conducting public meetings and other meetings as required by the Citizen Participation Plan to obtain the input of stakeholders and the public in general relative to assessment of the needs of the Territory with regards to community development and housing.
• Coordinate between the Program and internal/external partners
• Serves as a primary liaison between the program, applicants, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Program
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Associates or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• 1 – 2 years of previous experience working in CDBG, CDBG-DR or other federal funding sources, or disaster related housing services, a plus. Equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of a variety of trade and craft processes sufficiently broad to recognize acceptable construction practice; knowledge of general construction inspection practices and procedures; Knowledge of safety requirement and safety practices in construction work; Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications and to interpret them for construction control purposes; Ability to prepare construction inspection reports and construction estimates; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all persons contacted during the course of work; Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or government regulations; Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of manager, clients, customers and the general public; Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundaments of plan and solid geometry and trigonometry; Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical solutions; Demonstrates the ability to multi-task, work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and problem solve; Computer literate to include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; Excellent oral and written communication skills; Ability to be flexible and work under pressure; Ability to work harmoniously with other agency personnel; and ability to maintain confidentiality in all assignments; Valid VI Driver’s License required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES:

Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]