VP of Regional Capital Assistance Team

POSITION TITLE : VP of the Central West Regional Capital Assistance Team (CW RCAT)

DEPARTMENT : RCAT

STATUS : Exempt

SALARY RANGE : $115,000 - $130,000, dependent upon experience and qualifications

ABOUT THE WHA :

At the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA), our mission is to enhance the Worcester community by creating and sustaining decent, safe, and affordable housing that champions stability and self-sufficiency for our residents.

As the second largest housing authority in New England, widely recognized for our innovative and progressive programs, we’re not just providing housing we’re building futures.

We’re looking for candidates who are mission-focused, goal-driven, and passionate.

The WHA is committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community both inside and outside of the workplace.

Representation is important; our clients come from all walks of life and, not unintentionally, so do our staff. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our agency stronger.

POSITION SUMMARY :

Through a grant with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the WHA acts as one of three Host Housing Authorities (HHAs) for the Regional Capital Assistance Team (RCAT) program.

The Worcester-based RCAT program provides services to as many as 73 local housing authorities (LHAs) located in the central and western regions of MA.

That coverage area includes Berkshire, Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties, with approximately 8,300 units of public housing across 350 developments.

Most properties assisted are over 50 years old and have multiple physical needs.

The VP of the CW RCAT team is directly supervised by the WHA’s Chief Facilities Management Officer (CFMO) and will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Each RCAT team employs one RCAT director (the Vice President), plus project management and support staff needed to effectively implement the program.

The VP of RCAT supervises and coordinates the RCAT staff and programs in their region. The CW RCAT team includes up to six Area Coordinators (project managers) and one office assistant.

This is a full-time (37.50 hours / week), fully benefitted, position based in Worcester, MA. Frequent travel throughout the central and western regions of Massachusetts is required.

A valid, insurable driver’s license and reliable vehicle are required. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 : 00 a.

m. to 4 : 30 p.m., and may require occasional work outside of normal business hours to accommodate project work. The WHA offers a robust wellness and benefits package, including generous paid time off, opportunities for training and development, and participation in a pension program.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Create and enforce a schedule for the completion of tasks in compliance with Chapter 235 of the Acts of 2014, DHCD regulations, the RCAT contract for services, and program guidelines.

This includes acting as the WHA RCAT liaison with EOHLC; and developing and implementing a regional training program, organizing at least two group trainings annually.

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of all CW RCAT staff who : conduct portfolio needs assessments (both capital and maintenance assessments);
• create and maintain Capital Improvement Plans (CIP); conduct high-level capital project management (writing specifications and scopes for architectural and engineering contracts and construction contracts;
• assisting assigned LHAs with procurements under M.G.L. Chapters 149, 30B, 30, 39M, and 7; coordinating with EOHLC for projects above threshold;

and providing construction project management assistance. This includes frequent travel between up to 73 communities, as necessary, to ensure program effectiveness.

• Develop and implement a strategy for helping assigned LHAs access alternative funds for capital projects, including developing and implementing a bulk purchasing program to serve the region, as well as a regional force account program that allows housing authorities to pay staff for labor and materials rather than procure contractors for certain capital or maintenance projects (long range goal).
• Communicate and negotiate with individual housing authority executive directors, staff, and boards of commissioners as necessary, via email, phone, and on-site visits.

Assist in scheduling and conducting public hearings for completion of Annual Plans in conjunction with grant applications for assigned LHAs.

• Create management reports to assess RCAT performance and, if necessary, make recommendations for improvements to RCAT service delivery, and prepare monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports to be submitted to the WHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the elected advisory board of the RCAT.
• Manage and administer regional RCAT Advisory Board meetings.
• Prepare all plans and documents as necessary to develop, implement, and manage RCAT operations with uniformity across the region.
• Administer the state contract in compliance with all Massachusetts General Laws (including but not limited to Designer Selection and Procurement), regulations, and guidelines, partnering with the other RCAT directors, HHAs, and EOHLC.
• Performs similar job-related duties, as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED :

• Ten years of experience in construction management and / or capital maintenance project oversight (preferably in affordable / subsidized housing sector), or seven years of experience in this area, plus a college degree (BA or higher) in a related field, required.
• Five years of supervisory experience, two of which must have been in a managerial capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs and keeping them on schedule and within budget.
• Experience working with diverse constituents and managing public engagement.
• Ability to develop spreadsheets, perform mathematical calculations, and analyze data.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS PREFERRED :

• Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License.
• Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) certification
• Experience in construction contract process and advanced project management.
• Advanced knowledge of construction methods and materials, and local permit practices.
• Ability to accurately interpret contracts, specifications, and construction drawings.
• Advanced cost estimating capability in all trades.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30 sec 39M, 149, and 30B.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts building codes and state sanitary codes.
• Knowledge of EOHLC Modernization Programs and proficiency in software, such as Formula
• Funding program, Capital Planning System (CPS), and Capital Improvements Management System (CIMS) and other project management software systems and web-based applications.
• Bilingual (Spanish / English).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

• Ability to spend prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to spend occasional periods standing and walking, including climbing stairs, as well as balancing, stopping, kneeling, crouching, and / or crawling.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and / or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
• Ability to bend, handle materials and tools or equipment, and reach with hands and / or arms.
• Work may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation to a known disability.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS :

• This position requires working outdoors and indoors in all weather conditions, is subject to heavy and strenuous work, and may encounter pests.
• While performing the duties of this classification, employee will frequently visit work and construction sites and may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, vibration-causing tools or equipment, fumes, airborne particles or toxic or caustic chemicals, high or precarious places, outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be noisy. When traveling, incumbents may be exposed to traffic and other roadway or travel-related hazards and may be required to work extended hours.