Community Development Specialist (RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SPECIALIST)

Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development

9772 – Community Development Specialist

(RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SPECIALIST)

Position Description: 

The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development is to support San Francisans by providing affordable housing opportunites and essential social services to build strong communities.

Under general supervision, the Community Development Specialist position at the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development performs a variety of activities related to the funding of various local projects and programs in community development.  The essential functions include 1) being a key member of the Community Development Division that oversees the distribution of both local and federal funds to community-based organizations that provide a variety of social services to low- and moderate-income residents of San Francisco, and 2) coordinating San Francisco’s Season of Sharing rental assistance program and other rental assistance or subsidy programs as requested.

Coordination and analysis of the Season of Sharing program will involve authorizing individual client assistance, interfacing with the fiscal agent which disburses individual client assistance, delivering training and technical assistance to grantees and community-based organizations on program guidelines and application procedures, and analyzing grantee and programmatic performance and budget projections (e.g., ensuring eligible clients are receiving timely assistance, ensuring proper budgeting so that assistance is available throughout the year, etc.).  The fund creates stability for individuals and families facing an unexpected crisis by providing temporary assistance for housing, critical needs, and access to food, particularly direct financial assistance for housing such as remedying rent arrears and providing move-in assistance.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to strategically deploy, coordinate, and leverage resources using an in-depth knowledge of neighborhood and community needs; leverage community and city knowledge, resources and relationships on behalf of low-income individuals and neighborhoods; work with grantees to maximize the timely, effective and efficient provision of social services; and ensure programmatic and grantee compliance will all applicable local and federal regulations and requirements.  The Community Development Specialist performs highly detailed work in a variety of functional areas, such as: rental assistance program management, including client eligibility determination and authorization of direct financial assistance, development and administration of contractual (grant) agreements; grant/program administration and monitoring; development and administration of program policies and procedures; community planning and stakeholder convening; and program evaluation, planning, and reporting.

Major duties of this position include:

1. Performs rental assistance program management functions including client eligibility determination and authorization of direct financial assistance, provision of technical assistance to grantees and community-based organizations, and monitoring of grantee/program performance and budget projections.
2. Performs research, compiles and analyzes information/data regarding a variety of programmatic issues and develops or assists in developing recommendations to make programs more responsive to community needs.
3. Prepares a variety of reports; outlines findings and recommendations; writes or assists in writing regular performance and end-of-year impact reports, which includes gathering powerful client stories detailing how the Season of Sharing program and other similar programs impacted their lives; delivers  technical assistance on the process for seeking rental assistance and achieving the desired outcomes of rental assistance.
4. Performs analyses for budget development and resource planning; provides oversight to expenditures and ensure expenditures are in compliance with leadership and local guidance, rules and expectations; reviews and analyzes budget requests; prepares annual budget estimates and makes recommendation for future expenditures; presents budget reports to managers; provides recommendation and/or determination on which funding proposals to be funded. 
5. Performs analysis for development and administration of grant agreements: identifies and analyzes needs, goals, available funding and other criteria; develops or assists in development of grant deliverables; assists in establishment/maintenance of grant funding relationships; performs or assists in analysis for monitoring and enforcement of grant agreements to ensure compliance.
6. Performs program analyses and evaluations for monitoring of rental assistance grants and other grants received by department; analyzes funding parameters and other requirements specified by grantor, such as habitability standards; monitors departmental expenditures to ensure funding parameters are met; analyzes other criteria to ensure compliance with standards required by grantor.
7. Facilitates meetings and community processes to support the operation of programs and services; reviews client files and ensures compliance with programmatic policies and procedures. 
8. Other duties as assigned.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of San Francisco’s neighborhoods and social services infrastructure
• Ability to work in a highly detail- and task-oriented, fast-paced, trauma-informed environment
• Experience managing or coordinating community development programming
• Experience working in a government and/or non-profit setting interacting with the development and implementation of programs that serve low-income communities.
• Experience managing grants with nonprofits
• Experience dealing with rental assistance, landlords-tenant relations, case management, tenant counseling, eviction defense, and housing access programs
• Knowledge of and experience with serving low-income residents
• Experience offering technical assistance to non-profit organizations
• Experience in speaking effectively before individuals and groups in government, non-profit and community settings
• Experience in program evaluation
• Basic knowledge of non-profit financial systems
• Proficiency in operating computers using Windows-based programs, including word processing, spreadsheet and database software in a standard indoor office environment
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear and concise reports, recommendations and correspondence

How to Apply

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit www.jobaps .com/sf to register an account (if you have not already done so) and begin the application process.

• Select the desired job announcement
• Select “Apply” and read and acknowledge the information
• Select either “I am a New User” if you have not previously registered, or “I have Registered Previously”
• Follow instructions on the screen

To submit resume using the online application:

Select the “Resume” tab in the online application

Follow instructions given on screen

To submit cover letter using the online application:

Select the “Other” tab in the online application

Choose “Upload” as your method of submittal

Click on “Upload Attachment”

Follow instructions given on screen

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Karen Henderson, by telephone at 415-701-5557, or by email at Karen.henderson @sfgov.org