Programs Specialist

Join our Planning and Community Development team as a Housing Program Specialist and help strengthen community housing stability through fair, accessible, and well-managed programs. This role is ideal for detail-oriented problem-solvers who enjoy navigating housing regulations, grant processes, and creative financing to support residents and local partners. If you’re looking to make a meaningful public-service impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Plans and organizes the work processes and day-to-day operations of the Home and Rental Rehabilitation Programs and the Homebuyer Assistance Program. Implements the City’s one-to-four family housing loan programs, including the Home and Rental Rehabilitation Loan Programs and the Homebuyer Assistance Program, to provide housing benefits to low and moderate income and special needs households. Conducts monitoring of sub-recipients of federal and locally funded grant programs for low income and disabled households.

Ensures the City meets the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing requirements. Works directly with state and federal agencies and local private lending institutions.

For more information, please review the job description.

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

The current full salary range for this position is $7,214/month - $8,739/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

The City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements.

Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours of sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings…