DESCRIPTION

Shoreview, Minnesota, a premier City in the north metro area of the twin cities is accepting applications for a full-time housing program specialist. The housing program specialist position is responsible for overseeing the general dwelling and multifamily rental licensing programs, investigating interior housing maintenance violations and supporting housing related programs.

The position will perform program coordination and inspection duties required to administer the rental licensing program, investigate interior housing maintenance violations, and support and assist with the implementation of housing programs and initiatives consistent with the goals and objectives of the economic development authority and city council. This highly responsible position works in the community development department under the supervision of the Assistant Community Development Director.

DUTIES INCLUDE

Rental Licensing Program

• Responsible for all aspects relating to rental licensing including the processing of license applications and renewals.
• Performs field inspections for various types of rental properties for compliance with rental licensing and property maintenance codes. This includes inspecting interior, exterior and grounds of properties and data entry of inspection results into computer systems or mobile devices in preparation for correction orders and appointment letters.
• Serves as a contact for inquiries regarding rental properties, statutes and code requirements.
• Investigates property maintenance, nuisance, zoning, and complaints related to rental properties. Conducts inspections; prepares letters, notices and reports and follows-up for corrective action including license revocation and/or citations.
• Conducts research and prepares recommendations relating to enforcement actions for supervisors and court proceedings; may be required to testify in city court actions.
• Attends internal and external meetings with staff, public safety, property managers and owners to discuss common compliance issues, and city expectations relating to rental inspections program.
• Maintains inspection and other property data to ensure proper tracking of documentation and workflow.
• Conducts public education and outreach, policy and ordinance review; including meetings and communication with key stakeholders such as rental landlords/property managers, tenants, and public.
• Researches and interprets various ordinances and city code requirements with responsibility for issuing violation letters and ensuring violations are corrected.

Interior Housing Maintenance

• Educates property owners and residents on interior housing code requirements; assists in finding solutions to code violations; investigates property maintenance complaints and resolves code issues with the public.
• Responds to hoarding and clutter house conditions that impact the health, safety, and well-being of residents/property owners including:
  • Coordinates response with other agencies including Lake Johanna Fire Department and Ramsey County.
  • Implements actions in accordance with the hoarding response plan.
  • Pursues enforcement action including working with city attorney to secure administrative search warrants, when necessary.
  • Handles the preparation and execution of abatement actions and assessment agreements, when necessary.

Housing Program Assistance

• Conducts research and evaluates the effectiveness of the existing home improvement loan programs and develops recommendations on how to gain participants and encourages reinvestment.
• Explores potential resources and initiatives that could better assist residents and property owners in maintaining their homes and properties, including developing new programs such as emergency grants for low-income homeowners, creating a volunteer network connecting to residents in need of assistance, and other innovative approaches.
• Assists in policy development and regulations that would support and assist the goals of the city in providing housing choices, affordability, and well-maintained properties.
• Supports the strategic goals of the economic development authority and city council on housing including actions recommended in the comprehensive plan and housing study.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:
A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following:

• Associate’s Degree in a related field.
• One-year experience with housing rental licensing, zoning, property maintenance or nuisance code administration.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience as a rental or property maintenance inspector
• Working knowledge of State Building Code.
• Experience with licensing, code enforcement or inspections software.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Experience with housing programs and policies.
• Additional experience with housing rental licensing, zoning, property maintenance or nuisance code administration.
• Current certification as Property Maintenance & Housing Inspector or equivalent.

OTHER

Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

Hiring Wage Range: $30.11 - $33.22 per hour, plus excellent benefits

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written and computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating machines, operating machines and operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately quiet location.