Unclassified Service

Class Grade 11

Title:   Grant Coordinator/ Loan Service Specialist 

General Summary:

Advises and assists the Director of Neighborhood and Economic Operations in planning, directing and administering the following programs; community development block grant (CDBG), CDBG CV, HOME, HOME ARPA, ARPA pertaining to Housing, Affordable Housing and Development Board. Including oversight of funding, monitoring sub recipients, meeting federal regulatory requirements, advertising housing programs and preparing the planning documents.  Also required to perform research, analyze data, prepare reports, make recommendations, approve and track payments, and keep a variety of records, and make presentations. Processes loan applications and facilitates closings related to various home rehab programs. Represent the NEO Department at all Continuum of Care meetings.  Completes related program work including clerical and basic bookkeeping functions.  Position involves public contact and requires ability to organize tasks.  Provides staff services for various public bodies and agencies as needed. 

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions.  These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. 

1.            Coordinates and manages CDBG, CDBG CV, HOME, HOME ARPA, ARPA projects undertaken by the City, including coordinating the consideration of grant proposals, meeting with community stakeholders regarding allocations, recommending priority allocation to the Director, ensuring the City follows HUD regulations related to the grants, preparing contracts for sub recipients, monitoring sub recipients’ grant usage and record keeping, designing and/or amending sub recipient report forms to ensure receipt of all required information, and performing Davis-Bacon audits of non-residential construction projects.  Prepares sub recipient contract extension requests as appropriate.

2.            Prepares City’s Annual CDBG Action Plan, 5-Year Plan, and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for review and approval by Director and City Council.

3.            Performs research and analysis as needed for programs, and project and policy development. 

4.            Prepares a variety of HUD reports, including Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.  Prepares reports and performs other administrative tasks to accomplish community development goals and/or fulfill contract obligations.

5.            Conducts environmental reviews for CDBG projects, as required.

6.            Provides staff services to public bodies, such as the, Affordable Housing Board, Citizens Advisory Committee.  Staff services may include research; committee staffing; presentations and report preparation; preparation of agenda packets; and other administrative tasks to accomplish community development goals and/or fulfill contract obligations of the department.

7.            Researches, prepares and/or assists in the preparation of grant and financial applications for other state, federal and private assistance programs for community development and housing programs.

8.            Meets with general public, technical staff, elected officials and owners of private businesses to discuss, develop and coordinate grant projects; and to implement planning, public relations and program marketing, consistent with community and economic development goals.

9.            Advertises and promotes department activities and programs.  Creates flyers, brochures and advertising materials for department programs and services.  Writes articles, bulletins and newsletters for publication or posting on website. 

10.          Collaborates with outside organizations to build new homes and rehabilitate existing homes.  Consults with State Historic Preservation Office for environmental clearance and Section 106 reviews for CDBG-funded residential projects.

11.          Monitor operations of Neighborhood Resource Center to ensure neighborhood issues are effectively addressed.  Assist NRC staff with maintenance and billing concerns.

12.          Conducts on-site visits to verify grant conditions are met, as necessary for assigned programs.

13.          Processes applications for various home rehab loan programs.  Reviews applications, conducts financial interviews, verifies information, determines eligibility, matches applicant to appropriate funding program and obtains requisite financial and inspection information.

14.          Processes loans and related closings.  Assists in obtaining bids for rehab activities, prepares loan closing documentation, conducts loan closings, prepares payments and escrow accounts and closes files at completion.

15.          Enters data in computer system, prepares data summaries, activity reports, and financial files.  Audits documents, records, and computer output for errors and makes corrections.  Prepares specialized government computer reports (GRP) and others as necessary.

16.          Submits forms and computer-based requests to draw funds from external sources, prepares requisitions and receipts, and submit payments.  Checks contractor payments, prepares vouchers, waivers and final certifications, and tracks disbursements.

17.          Performs routine bookkeeping activities for the department such as posting payments, paying bills, and typing and tracking reimbursements.  Receives payments, prepares receipts and make cash turn-ins

18.          Represents the department on committees, as assigned.

19.          Operates personal computer for word processing, database management, research and preparation of advertising materials.

20.          Operates audiovisual equipment to make presentations.

21.          Performs other assignments as required.

22.          May perform duties of lower classified employee as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, public administration, business management or related field plus two years experience related to accounting procedures, community development and/or grant writing; or the equivalent combination of job-related education and experience.

-                      Considerable oral and written skills are required. 

-                      Considerable ability to organize information and tasks.

-                      Knowledge of accounting procedures and general ledger maintenance.

-                      Skill in the use of general office equipment.

-                      Considerable ability to use word processing and data base management software.  Ability to use specialized financial system and database software.  Experience working with IDIS preferred.

-                      Ability to perform mathematical computations with speed and accuracy.

-                      Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.  Ability to prepare and produce clear and concise correspondence.

-                      Ability to work independently and manage projects.

-                      Ability to exercise discretion related to the handling of confidential information.

-                      Ability to interact professionally and constructively with other employees, elected officials and members of the public.

-                      Must have own transportation to participate in off-site meetings and inspections, as necessary.

-                      City employees are also expected to possess and maintain a record of orderly, law-abiding citizenship, sobriety, integrity and loyalty as it pertains to and reflects upon their employment with the City.   City employees must also be physically and mentally able to perform the essential duties of their positions without excessive absences.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, sit, use limited mobility in an office setting, use manual dexterity to type and enter data, and use sight to read and prepare documents and reports.  The job requires standing or walking, including the ability to use steps.  The job requires travel to other work sites.  Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.  The typical work environment of this job is a business office setting where the noise level is quiet or moderate, although the employee occasionally works outdoors and in construction sites where the noise level may be loud.