Rural Housing Technical Assistance Specialist

Rural Housing Technical Assistance Specialist

Locations: California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington and Oregon – Remote

Position Description:

The Rural Housing Technical Assistance (TA) Specialist will primarily work with clients that are nonprofit housing organizations and other entities, such as local and Tribal governments, to increase their capacity, assess market needs, facilitate project/program planning, support project feasibility analysis, identify operating and project development resources, and assist with project and program management.

Specific job goals, objectives and tasks are established for each employee as part of the annual evaluation process. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

·       Work with the clients to identify organizational and programmatic strengths and weaknesses and conduct compliance reviews

·       Develop action plans and establish a path to increase the client’s housing development capacity

·       Deliver direct technical assistance and services, and coordinate with other RCAC staff as needed

·       Maintain regular communications with the client and funding agencies and secure necessary concurrence for work

·       Deliver technical training directly to the clients, and at various conferences, institutes, and workshops and via webinars

·       Participate in rural development networks and associations

·       Remain current on applicable government regulations and policies; comment on the impact of proposed regulations and policies

·       Prepare written reports, document activities, answer inquiries and assignments within brief time frames

Skills and Qualifications

·       Knowledge of government housing programs and regulations

·       Project management and housing finance experience

·       Experience and knowledge of housing development in at least one of these areas:

o   Affordable rental housing

o   Affordable homeownership/subdivision development

o   Mobile home park acquisition and rehabilitation for low-income households

o   Tribal affordable housing programs/projects

·       Ability to facilitate meetings and deliver trainings

·       High level of customer service skills and a dedication to rural and Indigenous communities

·       Ability to work independently and effectively prioritize multiple tasks

·       Effective listening and communication skills, both verbally and in writing

·       Proficiency with personal computers, including cloud computing and Microsoft Office

·       Cultural awareness

Preferred Education and Experience:

A combination of experience and education is required to qualify for the position. A typical qualifying combination would be:

Experience:

Four years of experience working in one or more of the following:

·       Single-family new construction, including subdivision development

·       Affordable rental housing development or financing

·       HOME, CDBG, Low-income housing tax credits or other Federal funding programs

·       Tribal housing, including Federal programs

·       Manufactured home communities (mobile home parks)

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with qualifying experience. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Physical Job Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Work performed in an office requires the ability to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment, including the telephone. Use may be moderate (average 2 hours per day) to heavy (4 or more hours per day).

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time; walk; talk; hear; use hand to manipulate; handle; feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

This position also requires moderate (up to three days per month) to heavy (up to 10 days per month) automobile and airline travel, including overnight travel.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid drivers’ license and proof of insurance that meets the minimum requirements of RCAC corporate liability policy will be required when traveling for business purposes.

Office or personal residence must be within one hour’s drive of a major airport.

RCAC is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employees and job applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status, or any other status protected by law. RCAC strives to reflect the diverse constituencies that the organization serves.