HOUSING REHABILITATION SPECIALIST

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed historic charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist provides technical assistance and oversight for projects throughout the Department of City Development’s Housing Rehabilitation Programs, including conducting inspections, preparing cost-estimated scopes of work, assisting homeowners with bidding and contractor selection, monitoring construction and approving payments to contractors.

Inspection and Oversight

• Inspect properties to determine the improvements required to achieve program standards.      
• Create rehabilitation specifications (i.e., “scopes of work”) and drawings that assure compliance with federal, state, and local housing codes and program requirements, including lead safety and energy efficiency.
• Conduct preconstruction conferences, perform interim and final inspections during construction, and approve payments to contractors.
• Coordinate with the Housing Program Specialists to advise homeowners on rehabilitation projects and determine eligibility for loans and assistance under the City of Milwaukee's housing rehabilitation programs.
• Mediate issues that may occur during the term of construction, including resolving disputes between homeowners and contractors.

Documentation

• Assist clients with obtaining and reviewing bids or proposals.
• Prepare and present rehabilitation plans and technical reports for review and approval by the supervisor and internal loan committee.
• Prepare contract documents for owners and contractors.
• Complete documentation from the field, including inspection notes and updates to the project tracking database; compile other required documentation.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date. You can find further information relative to the City’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy here.

The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist must be willing and able to do the following:

• Drive to and from properties throughout Milwaukee to perform field work.
• Perform interior and exterior inspections on properties.
• Perform physical activities in the work environment that require agility, including ascending or descending stairs or ramps, walking and standing, crawling, crouching, stooping, kneeling, reaching, balancing, pushing and pulling.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions (e.g., extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, and snow).
• Move and lift up to 20 pounds.

1. Associate Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Building Construction or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Three years of related experience in the residential construction industry (e.g. as a carpenter, site superintendent or building trades inspector).
3. Valid driver's license and the availability of a properly-insured personal vehicle for use on the job at the time of appointment and throughout employment. An automobile allowance is provided.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Experience administering federally funded housing rehabilitation programs. 
• Bilingual in Spanish/English or Hmong/English.
• Familiarity with regulations of government programming, contracts, and proposals.

TECHNICAL

• Knowledge of building, construction and rehabilitation principles and design standards, including interior and exterior finishes.
• Knowledge of codes related to fire, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, real estate and zoning.
• Proficiency using word processing, spreadsheets, and email.
• Ability to learn proprietary software.
• Ability to understand financial information to perform accurate calculations.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations such as square footage, roof pitch, floor area, window area, and site perimeter.
• Ability to inspect properties, apply codes, recognize non-compliance and make suggestions for improvements are needed to meet programmatic guidelines.
• Ability to read and interpret technical material and building codes.
• Ability to take onsite measurements, perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to track project budget and record data accurately.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL

• Ability to convey technical information in an understandable manner and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people (e.g. property owners, contractors, co-workers and community organizations) in person, on the telephone and in a public setting.
• Customer service skills to ensure exceptional service is provided to the public.
• Ability to create rehabilitation plans accurately and create clear and concise business correspondence.
• Ability to work effectively with people from all cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to accomplish program goals.
• Ability to handle a variety of situations, i.e., cope with angry persons and mediate volatile or tense situations, be persuasive, and work collaboratively.  

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to show empathy, treat all persons fairly, and provide uniform enforcement.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently, and exercise sound judgment to make decisions. 
• Ability to plan and prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines and adjust priorities as necessary.
• Problem solving skills to recognize and recommend solutions.
• Honesty and integrity to meet professional standards for handling confidential information and politically sensitive issues.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2GN) is $64,663-$76,917 annually, and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $66,603-$79,224. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times.  The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• Applications and further information can be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• Applications should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.