Housing Program Specialist for HOME/HSF

Official Title: Housing Program Specialist III

Functional Title: Housing Program Specialist for HOME/HSF

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street

Job: Community and Social Services

Agency: Department of Housing & Community Development

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Apr 29, 2021, 1:10:38 PM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: $63,780.86 - $92,381.90 Yearly

Bargaining Unit: 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.

Confidential: No

The incumbent in this position is a member of the Housing Development Division which is responsible for the funding and oversight of a portfolio of over 125,000 affordable rental and homeownership units.

The incumbent reviews and scores developer proposals for privately-owned affordable housing development, including rental and homeownership; manages projects and confers with development partners; coordinates steps to loan closing and through construction and project completion; analyzes refinance and loan modification proposals; assists in meeting various federal and state reporting and monitoring requirements; researches issues, compiles data, and performs related work as required.

The focus of this work is to both preserve and increase the supply of privately-owned affordable housing, both rental and homeownership.  The work is accomplished through the management of and participation in competitive funding rounds for federal and state funds, oversight of the closing of construction and requisition process, and monitoring projects in operation.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

1. Provide direct technical assistance, verbally, in writing, or onsite, to project sponsors/borrowers/consultants in all phases of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and other division funding programs, including pre-application, application, loan closing, acquisitions, compliance, annual reporting, 40B site eligibility requests, and long-term management.
2. Assist junior co-workers in learning the programs’ statutory and regulatory requirements, application and underwriting procedures/process, project contracting process with Mass Housing Partnership, and MassDocs loan closing procedures/process.
3. Coordinate and maintain HOME and National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) information in the Integrated Disbursement & Information System (IDIS) database; prepare analysis to inform division management decisions, program evaluation, and planning.
4. Coordinate and maintain program information in the division’s rental and homeownership databases, prepare reports to inform division managers, analyze reports to evaluate programs and use data to recommend program enhancements and/or changes.
5. Serve, as directed, as the division’s and the agency’s representative on various inter- and intra-agency task forces/workgroups.
6. Prepare and present program information/highlights/successes at training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
7. Maintain spreadsheets and prepare detailed reports on the anticipated and/or actual use of HOME funds (e.g.: Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), HOME MATCH, HOME Program Income) for inclusion in the Consolidated/Annual Action Plan/CAPER or for fiscal department or research use. Prepare policy briefing memos reflecting alternative or expanded uses of HOME funds.
8. Draft new/revised guidelines, application materials, and/or reporting requirements and evaluation criteria for review by management and for use in educating applicants in HOME requirements and other regulatory issues.
9. Analyze and underwrite rental and homeownership applications, provide objective analysis for recommendations to management regarding the award of HOME, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), HTF, Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) and other division funds for projects.
10. Coordinate the loan closing process by preparing contract documents, chairing project business meeting, reviewing/approving revised project financial information, management, tenant selection, service affirmative fair marketing and relocation plans, coordinating other MassDocs lender issues with outside counsel.
11. Monitor various project processes, including construction oversight, requisitions for payment, close-out reports, and cost certifications.
12. Work closely with other division staff on projects funded through several sources and participate in all negotiations related to “problem” projects or workouts.
13. Analyze rental refinance requests and make recommendations to the Program Manager.
14. Assume role of team leader on tasks, as assigned by Program Manager.
15. Conduct site visits and on-going project reviews.
16. Participate, as directed, in the implementation of new HOME funds and/or new funds for state subsidy programs.
17. Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of real estate financing.
2. Knowledge of federal, state and local resources to support the development of affordable housing, including permanent, transitional and special needs housing.
3. Ability to understand, explain and apply complex laws, regulations, guidelines and procedures regarding affordable housing programs.
4. Knowledge of principles and practices of affordable and market rate housing and factors influencing the housing market.
5. Knowledge of legal terminology and requirements of the real estate loan closing process.
6. Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of verbal, written and statistical information to a particular housing issue, policy or program.
7. Ability to present policies and programs effectively to external audiences.
8. Excellent computer skills, including at least intermediate proficiency using MS Excel, Word, and Power Point.
9. Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral expression, including the ability to make public presentations to different audiences.
10. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other agency staff, outside agencies and constituents
11. Ability to work within a team and to take initiative while understanding/respecting boundaries.
12. Ability to assume a leadership role in a team setting and to facilitate group participation/process.
13. Ability to adjust to changing priorities and to carry substantial responsibilities related to the HOME program, other division subsidy programs, and division priorities.
14. Some travel is a requirement of this position.  Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s license or the equivalent from another state is required.

MISSION STATEMENT:

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.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines.

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.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in real estate management, property management, public housing program management, public housing program development or public housing program administration, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. 

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree with a major in real estate, public administration, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.* 

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in real estate, public administration, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.* 

III. A Master's or higher degree with a major in public administration, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required experience.* 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. 

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.

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.