Official Title: Administrative Officer V
Functional Title: Assistant Director, Bureau of Housing Management
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street
Job: Administrative Services
Agency: Department of Housing & Community Development
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Aug 11, 2021, 8:19:21 AM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: $75,738.52 - $109,579.08 Yearly
Bargaining Unit: 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.
Confidential: No
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is within Housing and Economic Development Secretariat and its work touches the lives of all Massachusetts residents. DHCD's mission is to strengthen cities, towns and neighborhoods to enhance the quality of life of Massachusetts residents by providing leadership, professional assistance and financial resources to promote safe, decent affordable housing opportunities, economic vitality of communities and sound municipal management.
The Bureau of Housing Management provides oversight of the administrative, financial, management, and maintenance of 242 Local Housing Authorities and their 46,000 state-aided public housing units, at family and elderly/handicapped developments. Funding is provided through a general fund appropriation, funded at $76M in the FY22 General Appropriation Act (GAA). In addition the Bureau is responsible for oversight of the c. 689, special needs housing program, as well as 26 housing developments funded through the Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation program.
The Assistant Director of Housing Management is responsible for operationalizing policies and procedures within the Housing Management Bureau through their respective staff reports and subsequently the staff of Local Housing Authorities (LHAs). The Assistant Director addresses and resolves LHA issues that cannot be resolved by their direct reports’, and escalates larger policy issues or sensitive LHA-related issues to senior staff including supervisor (Director of Bureau of Housing Management) and Division Director. The Assistant Director manages 4-5 Housing Management Specialists, each with a portfolio of approximately 30 LHAs.
The Assistant Director is also responsible for monitoring transparency and accountability of LHA operations. Specifically, the incumbent plays a large role in continued implementation and improvement of the public housing reforms first mandated in Chapter 235 of the Acts of 2014. The Assistant Director leads strategic planning and development of these programs and makes policy and operational recommendations for the resolution of issues regarding these programs and their continual improvement to attain Agency goals most effectively.
The reform programs for which the Assistant Director has significant responsibility include but are not limited to:
1) State public housing portal, known as Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public-Housing (CHAMP);
2) Performance Management Review (PMR) operational oversight and inspection program;
3) Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) annual “mini-audit” program for LHAs;
4) Annual Plan – tenant facing and board approved LHA document that includes budget, capital plan, policies, and responses to PMR and AUP results;
5) Review of certain LHA budget submissions; and
6) All follow-up, monitoring and tracking that is required subsequent to these efforts.
The Assistant Director in collaboration with other senior staff including the Director Bureau of Housing Management, Facility Management Supervisor, Finance Director, Director of Program, Policy, and Operations, and others, identifies issues regarding management of Housing Authorities and makes recommendations for policy changes to Bureau Director and Division Director. Collaborates in drafting and issuing guidance, regulatory changes, and preparing other materials to guide work of Bureau and portfolio of Housing Authorities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
1. Directly supervises four to five housing management specialists by training, assigning work and reviewing performance. Directs staff in the review of LHAs’ management activities state-wide. Responsible for working with employees to detect underperforming LHAs, analyzing tenant selection ledgers and LHA financial reporting. Uses DHCD regulation, M.G.L. c. 121B, and other pertinent material as guides in performance of duties.
2. Lead for policy, program and operational development of the state public housing portal, known as Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public-Housing (CHAMP).
3. Strategic planning, developing and implementing policy for the state-aided public housing program, including public housing reform programs as enumerated above.
4. Ensures on-going dialogue between the Bureau of Housing Management and the Bureau of Housing Development and Construction regarding LHA preventive, routine, extraordinary maintenance, and capital needs.
5. In partnership from with Senior Staff resolves LHA-specific issues and/or advises on course of action to resolve; these may include tenant complaints, issues with Executive Director performance, lack of compliance with state statue and regulation by staff and/or board members, LHA management and maintenance issues, and legislative or municipal inquiries.
6. Provides indirect supervision to housing management specialists and clerical staff.
7. Other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Extensive knowledge of property management and affordable housing programs or other equivalent programs, including experience with the administration of such programs with a detailed understanding in the areas of program compliance, quality control, interpreting program regulations, data systems and operational aspects of property management and affordable housing and state-aided housing programs is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated strong organizational, supervisory, interpersonal, public speaking, and writing skills.
- A working knowledge of state and federal housing programs, regulations and guidelines is essential.
- Ability to negotiate issues with diverse constituents is essential.
- Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.
- Ability to provide accurate information and direction while working in a fast-paced high pressure environment.
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize, carry out multiple assignments simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities
- Ability to prioritize and handle multiple simultaneous tasks in a high-pressure environment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access and able to quickly learn new software applications.
- Bachelor's degree preferred. Property management certification(s) is/are preferred.
COMMENTS:
Please upload resume and cover letter.
This position is currently a telework position. The successful candidate will work remotely but must be flexible and able to perform duties in a shared office workspace as required.
Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
QUALIFICATIONS:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Applicants must have at least (A) six years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or professional experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical), and (B) of which four years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or degree related directly to the specialty may be substituted for one year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Graduate or higher degree with a major in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or degree related directly to the specialty may be substituted for two years of the required (A) experience.
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Marjie Lalli - 6175731254
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.