Senior Principal Planner (CDBG)

Education:

• Degree in Planning, Community Development, Economic Development, Public or Business Administration, or Related Fields

• At least 5 years experience with community development, economic development, or related fields (required)
• Knowledge and experience in Federal or State funded grants or programs (required)
• Strong writing skills and experience (required)
• Good verbal or presentation skills (required)
• Word processing and spreadsheet programs knowledge/experience (required)
• Organizational and multitasking skills; ability to meet deadlines and manage time (required)
• Good interpersonal skills; ability to work well in a team and to coordinate team projects (required)
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and follow-up (required)
• Ability and willingness to attend meetings after office hours, as needed (required)
• Experience managing construction projects (preferred)
• Experience working with non-profit organizations and subrecipient monitoring (preferred)
• Grant writing experience (preferred)
• Database management/development (preferred)
• CDBG certification from HUD and/or NCDA (preferred)
• Prior experience working with HUD IDIS and HEROS systems (preferred)
• Have a valid driver's license and own transportation (preferred)

• Six months probationary period (for new employees);
• Union position; salary determined through union’s contract with the City;
• Other benefits include (in addition to health insurance, etc): 3 personal days (accrued); federal holidays; sick days (accrued); free City parking; official travel reimbursement; and reimbursement of relevant educational training.
• A computer workstation will be assigned to the person in this position.
• The City is an EO/AA Employer.

Duties and Responsibilities

A.  CDBG and other federal and state grants 

• Preparation of HUD documents (Consolidated Plan, Action Plan, CAPER), and other required submissions
• Planning and implementation of CDBG funded programs, projects, and activities, especially public services, economic development, and public facilities.
• Preparation and review of Requests for Proposals/Qualifications/Services; written agreements (contracts); reviewing/approving invoices; drafting of correspondence to HUD and senior officials; conducting monitoring of subrecipients; researching CDBG and other federal regulations; needs assessments; assisting with training and technical assistance workshops; activity setup and accomplishment reporting in HUD’s Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS).
• Serve as Program/Project Manager of specific programs/projects as assigned; coordinating and/or completing special assignments; conducting appropriate research and studies; drafting implementation plans.

B.   Administration/oversight of other Grants and Grant Search and Application

• Provide oversight relative to the planning and implementation of other Federal and/or State grants as assigned.
• Responsibilities may include: tracking expenditures; reviewing payment requests; program design; day-to-day grant
• management; preparing reports; developing policies and procedures; etc.
• Take a lead role in identifying and evaluating grant sources; collecting data; identifying potential grant partners; coordinating interagency meetings; developing grant preparation strategies; packaging grant applications.

C.   Planning and Studies

• Assist in planning and research activities and studies in community/economic development; and neighborhood revitalization

D.   Technical Assistance & Expertise

• Provide assistance and support to subgrantees in resolving contract issues; maintaining current and accurate knowledge of federal and local program policies, procedures and regulations and uses to provide training, technical assistance and support to grantees in the areas of application preparation, funding eligibility and program implementation, and in complying with local and federal program requirements.

E.   Others

• Assist in completing special assignments or projects including position papers, regulatory reviews, CDBG promotion/outreach/events and Community Development Week activities, etc.
• Represent the department/city, as assigned, on committees, task forces, associations, local agency roundtables, conferences or meetings.