Home Improvement Specialist (Community Development Specialist)

This position is part of the Office of Community Development-Home Improvement Program within the Department of Human Services.

Be advised that this position is funded in-part or wholly through an established grant agreement. Employment in this position is subject to the availability of grant funds. The position may be modified, reduced, or eliminated based on the terms of the grant agreement(s) and the level of funding available to carry out the intent(s) of such grant(s).

Examples of Duties

• Conducts comprehensive inspections of housing units for code compliance, defects, and related repairs and improvements; prepares detailed work write-up for homeowners to use in their solicitation of bids from contractors.
• Assists grant applicants through the process by providing technical assistance with regard to work scope comprehension, contractor solicitation and bid selection process.
• Maintains an active dialogue with clients to ensure progress and completion in a timely manner, offering advice and counsel.
• Monitors work in progress for quality, contract compliance, and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. Arbitrates disputes between contractor and homeowner.
• Provides fiscal oversight of assigned funding portfolio to ensure expedient use of allocated funds per program requirements, without over commitment of funding.
• Provides fiscal oversight by reviewing and approving bids, contracts, performing final inspections and ensuring that the appropriate funds are properly disbursed.
• Provides mandatory documentation and reporting by preparing and reviewing related documents per established guidelines, prepare and notarize loan documents for recording and coordinating the electronic submission of reports.
• Perform other duties as assgined.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree, or graduation from a Technical college with emphasis on HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and Building Codes, or a combination of training and experience.

Candidate must have inspection background in electrical, plumbing, structural and mechanical inspections. General knowledge of accepted home repair methods according to standard practices of the labor trade. Problem solving techniques and methods as it relates to home repairs.
Ability to become a Notary Public in the state of Missouri.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs, Munis Financial Systems to track available funds, and web-based GIS mapping applications.

Applicants with previous experience working with federal grant programs are preferred.

Additional Information

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT: A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant which will include recentness and appropriateness of the applicant's education and experience, answers to the supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and any other appropriate information available.

The selection committee will admit to the interview only those persons who possess the most job related qualifications and may establish admittance criteria beyond the minimum qualifications stated above. The interview will comprise 100% of the applicant's earned grade. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more on the interview to be eligible for appointment. After initial interviews with the selected candidates are conducted, an email will be sent to the address on file with instructions on how to complete and submit a Conviction Questionnaire. Candidates have 3 days to complete the required questionnaire.

The five top ranking candidates, based on the final grade, will be certified to the Department Director/Appointing Authority who will make the final decision.

All applicants conditionally offered a merit position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Screening will be performed by a reputable clinical laboratory. The cost of screening will be covered by the County.