Community Development Programs Specialist

DESCRIPTION

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.

The mission of the Community Development Department is to assist the public in managing the development of the community in order to protect and preserve the quality of life, promote a sound economic base and appropriate design, and ensure safe construction, all in balance with the constraints of the City's environment and resources. Read more about the Community Development Department here.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Community Development Departmentis seeking a Community Development Programs Specialist. This position coordinates and supports the Community Development and Human Services funding processes and grant administration; monitors the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Human Services contracts, processes payments and maintains grant files and financial accounting documentation. Inputs CDBG and HOME project information into HUD's mainframe computer system and requests draws. Assists with staff support to the Community Development Human Services Committee; provides information and technical assistance on CDBG regulations, human services funding processes and City ordinances, i.e., Rental Housing Discrimination, Mobile Home Leases Ordinance; prepares special and ongoing reports and other information, including mandated CDBG Consolidated Plan, Annual Plan, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), environmental clearances, related grant applications, and other HUD reports as needed; provides staff response and input for HUD audits and monitoring; monitors CDBG sub-grantee performance and federal regulation compliance and ensures that Federal Grant Standards are met, including Davis/Bacon Prevailing Wages, Fair Labor Standards, Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing; monitors progress of CDBG capital improvement projects; develops and conducts public information campaigns for fair housing, CDBG and human services; provides technical information and assistance to both landlords and tenants concerning fair housing and mobile home park issues; conducts limited complaint investigations, and assures compliance with Federal, State, and local fair housing laws and ordinances; assists in the development and maintenance of homeless programs.

BENEFITS

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledgeof:

• CDBG rules/regulations and reporting requirements.

• Federal, State and Santa Barbara fair housing laws and ordinances.

• Local community groups and tenant/landlord organizations.

• Mediation techniques.

• Homeless Assistance programs.

• Basic principles of the Brown Act.

• Modern office procedures, computer operation and software applications.

• Use software programs for word processing, database creation, spreadsheets, and graphic presentations.

Ability to:

• Interpret and explain related City ordinances and enforcement procedures.

• Apply fair housing laws.

• Gather and analyze pertinent information, draw conclusions and recommend a course of action and/or identify technical resources related to the issues or problems.

• Compile data and statistics.

• Prepare and conduct media campaigns and make public presentations to educate the public on fair housing and CDBG/human services grants programs.

• Initiate tasks, manage time, meet deadlines, schedule projects and work independently.

• Communicate with people of various backgrounds and language proficiencies.

• Perform regular assignments following standard procedures without instructions and modify procedures to meet specific situations.

• Prepare clear and concise reports.

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

• Deal tactfully and objectively with sensitive issues involving divergent viewpoints.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed public officials, colleagues, community groups, the general public and others contacted in the course of work.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in community development programs.

Education and/or Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university with major coursework in sociology, public administration, or a related field. Ability to speak and write Spanish is highly desirable.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California class C driver's license.

SELECTION PROCESS

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one(1)vacancy within the Community Development Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON MONDAY, JULY 8, 2024.

THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.