Community Development - Administrator

The community development administrator is critical to bringing in funding for SEMMCHRA’s and key partners. Funding sources are focused on rehabilitation of affordable single-family and rental housing units. This position works closely with cities, developers, non-profits and housing funders. Travel within southeastern Minnesota is required as well as attending occasional city council meetings for grant execution. This position manages projects once funded and assists the Grant Administrator with administering the grants. This position offers variety, and a willingness to dig into details along with the opportunity to work independently and with your team.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under limited supervision and technical assistance of the Community Development Director or Chief Executive Officer, works to identify, define and develop funding sources to support existing and planned housing activities as well as lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to a variety of funders.  Primary responsibilities include preparation of proposals and grant applications, and performance of responsible professional and administrative work in researching, identifying, developing and responding to public and private grant opportunities in areas that support affordable housing.  Secondary responsibilities include assisting the Grant Administrator in grant administration

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Writing

1. Researches and identifies new government, corporate, foundation and private funding prospects to match housing priorities;
2. Generates high-quality proposals, narratives, applications and supporting documents in response to solicitations consistent with all policies and procedures of SEMMCHRA, and the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies;
3. Generates revenues for housing preservation and development through timely submission of well-researched, well written and well-documented grant proposals;
4. Maintains primary responsibility for grant writing schedules and tracking grants;
5. Serves as a liaison to funding agencies and organizations;
6. Works with appropriate personnel to research, develop, write and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers and grant proposals;
7. Coordinates and follows-up on the progress of submitted proposals;
8. Coordinates with the local developers, landlords and municipalities to create expenditure and income budgets to accompany proposals;
9. Responsible for preparing and submitting all grant requirements per checklists via portals or platforms;
10. Remains up-to-date on current issues relative to grant proposals;
11. Updates the Chief Executive Officer regularly of projects, grant status and funding opportunities;
12. Become cognizant of regulations & other matters of compliance with all grants including the GAN, FAQs, CFRs, email, webinars and all other communiques from MHFA as they relate to the grants;
13. Inform grantees and answer questions regarding allowability of proposed expenditures related to all specific grants;
14. Inform supervisor on the progress of all grants and issues that may arise with each grant;
15. Maintains confidentiality of information exposed to in the course of business regarding community members and projects;
16. Requires the kind of teamwork, supervision, and personal interaction, that cannot be had in an office alone; therefore, regular and predictable off-site travel is a job requirements

Project Management

1. Coordinate administrative processes according to funding guidelines and requirements and with SEMMCHRA established processes;
2. Clearly communicate project status, deadlines, next steps, and follow up items to project team on a regular basis;
3. Track project status using project or grant specific checklists;
4. Maintain an organized and easy to understand project file;
5. Respond to questions or concerns from funders, contractors, architect, partner staff, and SEMMCHRA staff as they arise;
6. Communicate and approve timeline, scope of work, and impact to current unit residents.

 Other Functions

1. Serve as the main point of contact for three Housing Trust Funds;
2. Work with partners funded through the Housing Trust Fund to ensure compliance with funding guidelines.
3. In congruence with the Executive Director, identify and develop key partnerships with cities, counties, nonprofits, and developers.
4. Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Grant writing experience, preferably with a housing, nonprofit, or governmental focus; ideally 3 to 5 years of successful grant writer experience.
• Experience should demonstrate a proven track record of securing new funding opportunities; comprehensive knowledge of research, and the ability to distinguish and identify opportunities for housing programs.
• Previous grant budget development and management;
• Knowledge of grant application process, scoring criteria and funding cycles;
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines;
• Excellent writing and verbal skills;
• Be highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes;
• Proven track record of a high attention to detail;
• Proficiency in research, interpreting, and analyzing diverse data;
• Excellent Computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, Access, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills;
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Understand public administration processes for cities, counties, authorities, and agencies.
• Comfortable with public speaking in small public settings

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must have previous work experience which requires grant application, submission, approval and management of funds. A proven record of securing grants with certifiable references is necessary. This position must work directly with the Community Development Director or Chief Executive Officer to determine housing needs and grant opportunities. This position requires affordable housing knowledge of programs, laws, and operations, and requires good interpersonal skills, the ability to motivate and lead others, and communicate well both orally and in writing. Requires a bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, urban studies, housing administration or related field and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the housing industry and at least two (2) years of grant writing experience. Fifteen years of experience in a similar position level and industry may be substituted for educational requirements. A combination of formal education and experience in both affordable housing and grant writing is needed. 

Must be a licensed driver and have a vehicle to carry out assignments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and speaking or hearing, frequently requires walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicable agency and department training necessary to meet the essential functions will be provided upon hire.

Valid driver's license.

Salary : $55,750 - $59,150