Housing Coordinator

The Position

The City of Rohnert Park is seeking a Housing Coordinator to assist the Housing Manager with housing and homelessness program administration and expanding housing services in the City. The ideal candidate is a motivated, data-driven, and compassionate professional with prior experience implementing housing and/or homelessness programs.

Under general supervision, develops, designs, implements, and evaluates activities relating to the City's homeless service and affordable housing programs; assists department management staff in representing the City to a variety of private, public, and community organizations and regulatory agencies; provides responsible technical and administrative assistance to department management staff; and performs related duties, as assigned.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises direct or general supervision over professional, technical, and/or administrative staff.

This is a journey level specialized class that is responsible for the administration of various homeless services and affordable housing programs and projects, including meeting facilitation, contract administration, analysis, and program or project development and evaluation. Successful performance of the work requires independent judgment and a strong knowledge of federal, state, and local homelessness and affordable housing policies, programs, and funding sources. The work has technical and programmatic aspects, requiring the interpretation and application of policies, procedures, and regulations and may involve frequent contact with staff, legal counsel, and the public, as well as performing various research functions.

Ideal Candidate

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Develops and implements the City's strategy to address homelessness, which includes overseeing programs in conjunction with community-based organizations.
• Supports the Housing Manager with development of new projects related to affordable housing production and preservation.
• Represents the City at regional meetings and forums related to homelessness and affordable housing policies, programs and compliance.
• Supports the Housing Manager with administration of the City's Below Market Rate (BMR) rental and homeownership programs.
• Monitors compliance with the City's BMR program.
• Monitors compliance with the City's Mobile Home Ordinance.
• Plans and facilitates interdepartmental and community meetings to address homelessness.
• Coordinates and completes various tasks such as preparing staff reports, correspondence, notices, resolutions, ordinances and similar written materials.
• Works with community-based organizations, public officials and consultants, and others to develop and implement programs to address homelessness.
• Negotiates, prepares, and administers agreements and contracts associated with homeless service programs and monitors for compliance.
• Analyzes, interprets and implements ordinances, laws, rules, regulations, legislation and case law related to homelessness and affordable housing.
• Compiles information, writes and presents technical and other reports and advises staff and decision-makers.
• Coordinates and reviews the work of consultants and clerical staff engaged in project activities.
• Serves as a liaison to various local organizations representing the City on homelessness.
• Collaborates with other City officials and staff; participates in coordinating homeless service program activities with other City functions including public safety, public works, code compliance and finance.
• Attends and/or participates in public meetings, committees, and workshops including interdepartmental working groups.
• Creates and maintains minutes, agendas and supporting materials for public meetings, committees, or working groups and develops public information and responses to public issues.
• Evaluates work processes and makes recommendations for streamlining program operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

In performing the duties described above, the incumbent is expected to:

• Provide outstanding and friendly customer service.
• Create and maintain a respectful and collaborative working environment.
• Communicate honestly and behave in a manner that is ethical, legal and fiscally responsible.
• Demonstrate care for the organization, customers, and coworkers.
• Perform work of the highest quality possible.
• Practice and encourage initiative and innovation to improve the workplace.

Qualifications and Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles, practices, and funding sources for planning and implementing homeless and/or affordable housing programs and projects.
• Basic principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and techniques of conducting analytical studies, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Public relations techniques.
• Techniques of contract administration.
• Record-keeping principles and procedures.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Monitor project and programmatic administrative, budgeting, and fiscal activities.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the assigned department and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written material.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Effectively conduct meetings and make presentations to various groups.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; collect relevant information; evaluate realistic options; and recommend/implement appropriate course of action.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, public policy, business administration, or a related field, and three (3) years of professional work experience in homeless /or social services programs and/or affordable housing, or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment and a satisfactory driving record.

Additional Information

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.