Title: Housing Program Specialist

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: $57K - $67K

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Housing & Cmnty Devel

Location: Main Street Centre

Agency Website: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

DHCD Welcomes Veterans and Veteran Spouses!

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families by promoting affordable and accessible housing options. We strive to empower lower-income households, individuals with special needs, and those facing challenges in mainstream housing market in Virginia through innovative programs and strategic partnerships.

Join the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) a Housing Program Specialist. You will lead efforts to expand and protect access to the Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program (ASNH). Your focus will be on both the production of new affordable housing and the preservation of existing resources, ensuring that everyone has a place to call home.

You will be responsible for overseeing the Commonwealth’s state and federal affordable housing funds and other fiscal resources, ensuring that our initiatives lead to successful outcomes for those in need and implementing the program in accordance with federal, state, and agency regulations.

Envision yourself:

• Actively participating in the competitive application process, including assisting with the development of pre-application materials.
• Providing technical assistance in preparing Program Agreements to developers to assure they are legally sound and comply with all federal and state program regulatory requirements.
• Providing invaluable training to local grantees and prospective applicants, empowering them to access grant funds effectively.
• Collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data on assigned initiatives and providing actionable recommendations to the Program Manager.

Picture the smiles of families who find their new homes thanks to your efforts. Inspire local organizations, help shape policies, and lead initiatives that transform lives, all while working with a dedicated team of like-minded professionals who share your passion for affordable housing solutions.

Must be able to engage in periodic overnight travel. A valid driver’s license is required by date of employment.

This position is funded by non-general funds. The availability of funding is scheduled for review on an annual basis. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant and non-general funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Analytical skills such as data and information analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, researching, etc. with limited oversight.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing while building impactful working relationships with diverse populations, team members, and stakeholders.
• Ability to read and interpret specific program regulations and apply them to understand program requirements regarding grant financial administration to successfully monitor grantee activities.
• Knowledge of business administration financial practices including payment processing, expense reporting
  and financial account reconciliation.
• Significant problem-solving skills and capacity to apply problem-solving to program-specific situations with limited oversight.
• Experience in managing multiple programs, multiple priorities, and/or project management.
• Experience in conducting and providing training workshops, making technical presentations, and effectively communicating to facilitate group discussions with diverse populations, team members, and stakeholders.
• Work experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) to create reports, draft documents and create presentations. Considerable experience using spreadsheets and database programs is required.

Additional Considerations

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

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications/changes received after the closing date will not be considered. Applications sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration. Answers should be reflected in jobs and positions held.

Background and Reference Checks:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and reference checks. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.

Lay off Policy 1.3:
If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.

DHCD Welcomes Veterans and Spouses:
We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.

Sponsorship:
The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Reasonable Accommodations:
Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Department of Housing and Community Development practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion:
DHCD is committed to providing valuable opportunities for a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees feel supported. DHCD seeks to work with partners, grantees, and vendors who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a practice and have a demonstrated record of this commitment.

Alternative Hiring Process:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: rr-recruitment1@dhcd.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.