Community Development Specialist I

Employees in this class administer the City of Tampa’s CDBG, ESG, HOPWA, HOME, SHIP and other community development funds.  Work is of considerable difficulty and includes administering and monitoring for compliance grant funds, conducting needs assessments and gathering data to develop a comprehensive plan to address needs.  Employees must possess considerable knowledge of community development principles and practices and possess or be capable of readily acquiring knowledge of broad program or subject areas associated with assigned specialty.  Considerable initiative and independent judgment is necessary to ensure that supervised activities are completed in accordance with plan production and/or grant application requirements. Work is performed under direction and reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.

As a Community Development Specialist I, the employee will have fundamental knowledge and skills in at least one of three (3) core division areas: Housing, Public Service or Homelessness.   

Housing

Administer HOME, CDBG, NSP and SHIP funds. Participate in planning efforts with outside agencies and service providers (e.g., non-profits, Housing Authority and housing developers).  Oversee the RFP process and pre-application workshops for entities seeking CDBG, HOME, SHIP, NSP and or other state and federal program funding.  

Public Service

Administer CDBG and other community development funds. Participate in planning efforts with outside agencies and service providers (e.g., Social Service agencies, non-profits, housing developers).  Oversee the RFP process and pre-application workshops for entities seeking CDBG and other state and federal program funding.  

Homelessness

Administer Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grant program for Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Administer the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Tenant Based Rental Assistance programs. Participate in planning efforts with outside agencies and service providers (e.g., Ryan White Health Care Council, Tampa/Hillsborough Homeless Coalition, US Office of HIV/AIDS Housing).  Oversee the RFP process and pre-application workshops for entities seeking HOPWA and ESG funding.  

Prepare and process resolutions, agreements, and amendments for approval by City Council; process reimbursement requests; and, monitor Project Sponsor’s performance activity and fund-source expenditures to ensure that objectives are accomplished. Collect and analyze data and prepare reports involving resource allocation, services delivered, and contract compliance for the City’s annual CAPER submittal to HUD. Obtain needs assessment data and develop comprehensive program planning for the City’s Action Plan.  

Perform desk and onsite monitoring for all funded projects per the agreement/contract and funding source guidelines.  Monitor contracted activities to ensure terms of the contract(s) are met; acts as liaison between contractor(s) and the department’s administrative office and represents the division as required; receives complaints relative to contract area(s) and/or contractor performance and takes appropriate action; make regular field reviews of work in progress and determines if is being completed in accordance with contract(s) guidelines and department policies.  

Support community outreach efforts in the field; may transport clients to a local facility. 

Attend and participate in meetings and public hearings regarding grants and related matters; maintain a digital grant tracking system; assist in the presentation of recommendations regarding plans and other proposals to various municipal officials; attend and participate in meetings of various planning committees; assist in the negotiation of contract terms for the conduct of grant preparation with representatives of city departments and outside agencies.

Knowledge of: Department of Housing and Urban Development, State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) and other community development programs including but not limited to CDBG, HOPWA, ESG, HOME, SHIP and NSP. Federal, state, and municipal legislation impacting affordable housing and community development planning efforts; methods and techniques, report and grant application preparation;

Working knowledge of: research techniques and data sources.

Ability to: analyze and interpret federal and state regulations for community development programs and draw sound conclusions; counsel and communicate effectively with community development agencies, officials and persons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds; prepare and deliver written and oral reports; keep accurate records; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the public; monitor program activities and prepare reports.

Graduation from an accredited college or university Bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, human service or a related field and one (1) year of affordable housing and community development grant administration, working with homeless initiatives or related social services areas.

Possession of a valid drivers license required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION: Please register before you begin the application process. This will enable you to view and re-use information from previously submitted applications to complete and submit any future applications. Please make certain your application is complete and the information you provide clearly demonstrates that you possess the minimum job qualifications as stated in the job announcement. Resumes can be submitted in support of an application, but not in lieu of an application. Resumes and copies of certifications or other required documents may be attached to your online application.