Program Specialist - Stability and Homeownership

* The City of Bloomington has 2 Program Specialist I-Housing Stability and Home ownership positions available*
* These positions are grant-funded, subject to availability.*

The Program Specialist I brings strong organizational support, administrative, and professional skills to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) team to develop, support, and implement the City's priorities, projects, and initiatives. This position coordinates activities related to the planning, administration, and delivery of housing stability and home ownership programs to meet the HRA's goals and objectives.

• Models and contributes to a positive work environment, culture of communication, engagement and safety
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with employees and the general public, including but not limited to those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Works cooperatively as a member of a team; develops and maintains effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
• Embraces the City’s shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City’s vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly

• Administer rent assistance programs, specifically the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Bring it Home Rental Assistance (BIH) programs. Administration includes case load management, waiting list management, and maintaining program files and data
• Assist with developing and implementing processes for a newly created Bring It Home rental assistance program
• Represent the HRA through engagement with both internal and external stakeholders, including HRA program participants and inquiries in person, by phone, and/or written communications
• Communicate program requirements to applicants and participants
• Maintain formal monitoring systems to ensure compliance with standards. Manage operational activities of the programs, including record keeping, computer applications, grantor reporting, etc.
• Provide leadership in development and delivery of outreach and educational programs and materials
• Participate in developing requests for proposals or bids; revisions to rules, regulations, or ordinances; and other formal documentation for the review and approval of elected officials or other governing bodies
• Support the preparation of comprehensive grant and loan applications to support housing program activities
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with a wide variety of community, public, and private organizations
• Prepare written and oral reports, program descriptions, recommendations for action and other communications to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board, Bloomington City Council, and public
• Maintain and expand housing program knowledge and skills, including understanding of local, state and federal rules and regulations
• Reconcile transactions associated with portability and complete necessary follow-ups
• Provide some administrative support to the HRA division
• Perform other duties as apparent or assigned

• Ability to coordinate multiple projects at the same time and the ability to prioritize, plan, and organize work to ensure completion of multiple work components within a specific structured and/or limited timeframe involving overlapping and complex deadlines
• Ability to ensure programs meet goals and objectives of the HRA
• Ability to present simple and complex information in a public setting and provide technical knowledge of the topic matter
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs and concerns of individuals from different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds
• Highly polished written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with people of diverse cultural, economic and/or ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to adhere and comply with confidentiality and data practices
• Ability to maintain effective work relationships with supervisors, coworkers, program recipients, property owners/managers, contractors, and other agencies
• Maintains skills necessary for…