Housing & Community Development Division Director.

Job Summary

The Housing & Community Development Division Director works directly under the Director of Housing and Human Services and is responsible for the direction, implementation and administration of all Community Development and Housing Programs, Initiatives, and Plans in the City’s Department of Housing and Human Services to enhance economic opportunity, build strong, safe, and stable neighborhoods, and provide quality affordable housing throughout the city.

To accomplish this work, the City requires highly motivated and knowledgeable employees, a sound understanding of the needs of Providence, a strong initiative by all staff members, smoothly integrated operations and effective operational and management systems.

This professional and management position is responsible for the administration of federally- and locally-funded programs including but not limited to : Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), the Lead Safe Providence Program, and relief programs such as Neighborhood Stabilization Program and HOME-ARP that may exist from time to time.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Housing Division Director performs the following tasks :

• Plans, organizes, and directs a wide variety of Community Development and Housing programs and projects. Writes grants and pursues other funding sources where necessary.
• Oversees daily operations in the Housing & Human Services Department and assists with implementing departmental goals, objectives, policies and procedures related to Community Development and Housing.
• Oversees alignment of city-based supports for people in Providence experiencing homelessness or who are underhoused in coordination with relevant City Departments, the State of Rhode Island and local nonprofits.
• Develops, updates, and maintains program policies, construction guidelines, program manuals, underwriting procedures, and other documents as needed.
• Facilitates the proper administration and management of Federal entitlement programs from application solicitation to close out of projects and grants.
• Manages staff within the assigned programs including hiring, training, performance evaluation, scheduling of workload, and retention of assigned personnel.
• Provides technical direction to staff to ensure compliance with established procedures, policies, and prescribed management and operating techniques.
• Assumes responsibility for program compliance.
• Oversees and negotiates complex development projects and deals, while managing risk and ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and policies.
• Assists with the review of grant applications, pro-formas, operating budgets, rent / sale prices, procurement documents, construction specifications / plans, etc.

to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal policies and regulations.

• Conducts market and other needs analysis related to housing and community development.
• Understands, interprets, and ensures compliance with local planning, zoning, and building requirements.
• Oversees the preparation and distribution of local and federal reports, including 5-Year Consolidated Plan and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports.
• Manages data entry and performance reporting into local and federal systems including IDIS and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
• Must possess one of the following combinations :
• Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, and / or related field plus five years of increasingly responsible experience in community development programs, housing development administration, financing, or a related field, including two years of supervisory responsibility.

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, and / or related field plus seven (7) years’ increasingly responsible experience in community development programs, housing development administration, financing, or a related field, including two years of supervisory responsibility.

• Must be skilled in Microsoft Office Products (including but not limited to Word and Excel).
• Must be able to underwrite affordable housing development projects and housing assistance.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of the community, acute cross-cultural awareness, with a demonstrated ability to center equity in policy-making and analysis, cultural competency, and commitment to the objectives of housing and community development.
• Must be highly organized with a proven ability to manage many unique projects at the same time.
• Must possess background in and knowledge of affordable housing, complex real estate development and financing mechanisms for affordable housing or other community development fields.
• Must possess experience working with federal regulations and funding sources, including but not limited to : CDBG, HOME, ESG, NSP, Low Income Housing Tax credits, Lead Safe Housing Rule, Section 3, Section 504, Fair Housing / Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, and 2 CFR 200.
• Must have the ability to analyze project information for the purpose of evaluations and related reports.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. (Bilingual ability preferred.)
• Must exhibit a demonstrated ability to coordinate and negotiate with multiple parties including : community organizations, nonprofits, developers, contractors, other funding partners, Rhode Island Department of Housing and HUD.
• Politically astute with a proven track record of collaboratively and harmoniously working with and developing positive relationships with other City departments, elected officials, federal and state government, commissions / boards, outside agencies, residents, and other key stakeholders in achieving goals and objectives.
• Must have the ability to write memoranda, narrative reports, and to compile statistical reports.
• Must have the ability to work independently with limited supervision and to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job.

Posting expires when filled.