Community Development Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Department of Housing (DOH) has one (1) available opportunity for a Community Development Specialist.  The State of Connecticut was awarded $159 million in funding from the Department of Housing (DOH) and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, Rebuild by Design, and National Disaster Resilience programs (CDBG-DR and -NDR) following Superstorm Sandy to assist the residents of Connecticut with recovery and resilience to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. These funds are supporting the repair and elevation of homes, coastal resilience planning, and resilient infrastructure activities, including elevating roads for dry access and evacuation, constructing pump stations and green infrastructure, and building local flood protection. Under the CDBG-NDR and Rebuild by Design programs DOH is implementing Resilient Bridgeport, the construction of two pilot projects to manage coastal and stormwater flooding, including adapting to sea level rise as well as two planning projects for energy resilience and floodplain design guidelines. These funds also support the development of the Resilient Connecticut plan being led by the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) for New Haven and Fairfield Counties.

Under the supervision of the CDBG-DR and CDBG-NDR Program Managers, the Community Development Specialist will support the implementation of the projects funded by these programs. Responsibilities include: coordinating engagement and funding activities; coordinating with local, state and federal agencies on programs and permitting, including the State Agencies Fostering Resilience Council and the Governor's Council on Climate Change; ensuring the Action Plan is adhered to or amended appropriately; reviewing all financial documents; ensuring federal and state monitoring and audits run smoothly; monitoring activities and contractors for compliance, schedule and budget; reporting on recovery and resilience metrics and outcome values; and coordinating leverage funding commitments. This position requires conducting site visits out of the office and may include attending and representing the DOH at meetings with grantees.

This is a durational, full-time position, 40 hours per week, Monday -Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.  This position is located at 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, with occasional travel to project sites.

Interested candidates should choose the 'resume tab' to attach a resume with their submission. At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Heidi Gray at heidi.gray@ct.gov or 860-713-5028.

In the Department of Economic and Community Development, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and/or performing the most complex tasks as a specialist to promote strong communities, retention and expansion of housing and jobs through housing, economic and community development activities and programs within the state.

WORKING LEAD LEVEL: Plans team workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains office procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts performance evaluations; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding departmental policies and procedures; may make recommendations on policies and standards; may prepare reports and correspondence; may monitor work performance of consultants; performs related duties as assigned.

ADVANCED WORKING LEVEL: Performs specialized activities or undertakes the most complex projects in promoting and coordinating housing, business, economic and community development activities and programs; advises municipalities in developing comprehensive community development plans; oversees specialized analyses and evaluations for development of standardized data and specific forecasts, development of performance indicators and preparation of statistical information needed to meet guidelines and requirements of funding agencies; provides general guidance and technical assistance to a wide variety of customers; establishes and maintains contact with customers; advises customers undertaking community development activity; assists customers locating or expanding in state; coordinates departmental activities with those of other community, regional, state, federal and private agencies; reviews plans and proposals for conformity with statutory, regulatory and departmental requirements; identifies and assesses customer needs; evaluates customer financial capacity and reliability; identifies community development resources available and coordinates services; acts as a liaison between customers, business institutions and government agencies, financial and other institutions, conducts feasibility reviews; underwrites proposals and makes appropriate recommendations; negotiates financial packages with customers relying on municipal, state, federal and private resources and programs;advocates on the customers behalf requests for financial assistance and or related services; coordinates and tracks proposals through departmental approval process; prepares commitment letters; prepares documents for closings; prepares necessary underwriting documents, financial, statistical and administrative reports as needed; independently plans and implements major development initiatives; develops mechanisms to improve customer service and program effectiveness; participates in departmental policy and planning activities; oversees funding and budgets for program initiatives; may use word processing and spreadsheet software in the performance of daily tasks; may develop and/or promote domestic and international markets for Connecticut products; may develop and promote Connecticut as a destination for business and recreation to out of state and international customers; may monitor programs to insure compliance; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of local, state and federal housing, economic and community development programs and resources; considerable knowledge of industry practices, markets and location issues; knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and policies pertaining to community development; knowledge of budgetary and financial principles and practices; knowledge of residential and commercial mortgage financing; knowledge of planning principles and practices; considerable skill in planning, organizing and negotiating urban or community development activities; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

Seven (7) years of professional experience in corporate marketing and business development or business experience including complex residential and/or commercial financing to include leverage financing, strategic planning, financial planning and analysis or project management experience with industrial, environmental, housing or community development projects to include public financing or experience in urban planning and development.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Economic and Community Development Agent.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's Degree.
   
2. A Master's Degree in planning, economics, housing, urban development, finance, business administration, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience coordinating recovery, climate resilience, floodplain management, natural hazard mitigation or climate adaptation activities;
• Knowledge of climate change and sea level rise concepts;
• Experience monitoring grantee or contractor invoices and deliverables;
• Experience working across state agencies and with public and private stakeholders;
• Experience in preparing and presenting technical reports.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.