ERAP Project Manager

POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT:

This is a temporary position that will end September 30, 2025

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides rental assistance to stop evictions for vulnerable households. The program works with landlords to provide bulk rent relief for many households at once, or in some cases, works directly with tenant households. The Project Manager will interface with landlords and tenants, educate them about the program processes, collect documentation submissions, review the documentation for eligibility for each household, and prepare the bundled past-due accounts for payment.

The Project Manager will compile data from landlord and tenant submissions and keep track of expenditures. The Project Manager will contribute to the creation of program reports and help ensure compliance with grant agreement and program implementation timelines.

The purpose of the ERAP program is to move money quickly and efficiently to address the ongoing evictions crisis with targeted rental assistance, and the Project Manager’s role is to facilitate these transactions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:

80% Implement the ERAP Program – The Project Manager (PM) will collect and review documents from landlords and tenants of past-due accounts. The Project Manager will use many different spreadsheets to keep track of each household’s account as it moves through the review process towards payment. The PM will often need to follow up directly with tenants in order to acquire missing documentation or fix gaps in their submission. The entire mission of the program is to move money quickly and efficiently to address the ongoing evictions crisis with targeted rental assistance, and the PM’s role is to facilitate these transactions.

10% Participate in strategic planning with government and other partners. Attend relevant meetings and information sessions. Liaison with other UWCM partners in the housing space.

10% Time spent on administrative responsibilities, including internal team meetings, UWCM staff meetings, regular supervision, payroll and attendance documentation, and tracking hours for grants billing.

ACCOUNTABILITY: In order to be successful in this job, the ERAP Project Manager must consistently demonstrate competency in:

• Extensive experience with spreadsheets (e.g. Excel) and online systems (e.g. Zoom, Teams)
• Oral and written communication.
• Knowledge of the human service delivery system.
• Interpersonal skills:
  • Must be able to treat tenants and landlords with respect and courtesy and create an atmosphere of acceptance.
  • Must develop and maintain effective working relationships with service providers.
• Client service delivery skills, including the ability to:
  • assess needs using active listening skills;
  • effectively use the computer to research resources and report data;
  • able to make independent decisions using good judgment;
  • employ problem solving techniques when appropriate; and
  • exercise decision making and crisis intervention skills to manage emergency situations effectively.

INTERACTION:

Interacts with -participants, health and human service providers, government agencies, landlords, other UWCM staff and volunteers and business representatives. RepresentsUnited Way of Central Maryland at community and business events.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Experience managing budgets is strongly preferred. Experience in professional relationship management across organizations is required. Computer literacy is required. A brief computer capabilities test will be administered as part of the interview process in order to demonstrate competency with Excel, image manipulation, and remote/virtual systems.

Abilities/Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly to individuals and groups in oral discussions. Ability to deliver information appropriate to target audience. Ability to communicate and empathize with individuals of diverse backgrounds. Ability to write in a manner that is clear, concise and grammatically correct. Ability to make independent decisions using good judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (sitting, standing, lifting, etc)

This position is mostly remote/virtual and will follow the organizations guidelines for in-office days. The employee is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position at UWCM. The hands are regularly used to write, type, keypunch and handle or feel small controls and objects. The employee must frequently talk and listen. Weights of up to 25 pounds occur (i.e. laptop computer, heavy files, computer reports, computer terminals or other regular office equipment.) Requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities.