If you're passionate about fostering inclusive communities where everyone has access to affordable housing and opportunities to thrive, the Town of Chapel Hill is excited to invite you to consider the role of Funding Programs Coordinator supporting the Affordable Housing and Community Connections Department. 

This is an exciting time for the Town of Chapel Hill. We have recently combined our Public Housing, Affordable Housing, and Community Connections teams into one department. The Funding Programs Coordinator role will work as part of the affordable housing division to advance our mission of creating partnership, catalyzing affordable housing, and building community. The ideal candidate will bring experience in grants management, an acute attention to detail, a commitment to public service, and an innovative and collaborative mindset. 

About the Organization: 

The Town operates under a Council-Manager form of government, with the Town Manager reporting to the Mayor and eight at-large Council members. The Town has an approved $150 million budget for Fiscal Year 23 – 24 with 715 benefitted full-time positions and 200 non-benefited positions. 

The Town’s mission is Learning, Serving, and Working Together to Build a Community Where People Thrive. The Town’s RESPECT values (Responsibility, Equity, Safety, Professionalism, Ethics, Communication, and Teamwork) are a compass for accomplishing that mission. 

The Town’s strategic focus areas include Environmental Stewardship, Economic and Financial Stewardship, Affordable Housing, Connected Community, Healthy and Inclusive Community, Safe Community, and Employee Recruitment and Retention. Find more information about the Town here.

About the Affordable Housing and Community Connections Department:

The Town's Affordable Housing and Community Connections Department includes four divisions: public housing, affordable housing, community connections and administration, which work collaboratively to execute the Town Council's affordable housing and equitable community engagement goals. The department is committed to fostering an environment where everyone on the team is empowered to lead and achieve results consistent with the Council's goals and the department's work plan.

About the Role: 

This position manages community development and affordable housing funding sources collaboratively with a high performing, energetic, fun, and diverse team. The Funding Programs Coordinator is responsible for managing the Town’s federal and local funding sources, including:

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
• Community Project Funding grants
• American Rescue Plan funding
• Town affordable housing funding sources (e.g., Affordable Housing Fund, Affordable Housing Bond)

We believe this person is going to need:

• A commitment to public service and contributing to positive community solutions
• An understanding of affordable housing and community development policies and practices
• A strong desire to actively manage effective programs along with the persistence and knowledge needed to ensure Town-supported programs meet federal and local guidelines
• Excellent collaboration and relationship building skills that establish partnerships and effective teamwork within and outside of the Affordable Housing & Community Connections team
• An innovation mindset that actively solicits and fosters the ideas of others

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the Town’s CDBG Program and other federal and local affordable housing funding sources, including:
  • Conduct needs assessments to determine Town funding priorities
  • Design and oversee funding application and evaluation process
  • Prepare funding recommendations for Council consideration
  • Prepare performance agreements and contracts for funded projects
  • Monitor administration of funded projects, paying close attention to compliance with local and federal regulations
  • Oversee the Town’s funding portfolio, including reviewing reports to track progress on key milestones, monitoring spending and draw schedules, and collecting scheduled loan repayments
  • Prepare financial and other reports for HUD, the Town Council, and the general public (i.e. Annual Action Plan, Consolidated Plan, CAPER, Affordable Housing Quarterly Reports)
  • Provide technical assistance, administrative support, and guidance to funded agencies and applicants.
  • Present information to the Town Council and other audiences
• Assist in the creation and implementation of affordable housing programs and initiatives
• Participates in cross-departmental teams, Town-wide projects, and other duties as assigned

 May require occasional weekend and evening hours and working during special events and inclement weather.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Knowledge of or a willingness to learn:

• Federal rules and regulations related to HUD's CDBG and/or other HUD programs (e.g., Environmental Reviews, Davis Bacon, Section 3)

• Grant application, management, and reporting procedures
• Program management, contract management, and procurement
• Basic affordable housing finance and underwriting 
• Basic accounting
• Principles, practices, and trends in local government 
• Relevant town ordinances, policies, and procedures
• Financial record systems

• Work creatively within a regulation-driven environment 
• Manage multiple projects and shifting priorities while meeting strict deadlines 
• Be detail oriented while also seeing the big picture 

• Establish and manage positive relationships with colleagues, community partners, and other stakeholder groups

• Understand and interpret technical information and regulations 
• Solve problems and make sound decisions
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including public presentation skills

• Model behavior that is consistent with our values of RESPECT (Responsibility, Equity, Safety, Professionalism, Ethics, Communication, and Teamwork) and organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk with intermittent standing or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in an office environment. Potential for hybrid work available. 

Education:

Bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, business, or related field required. Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, business, or related field preferred. 

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job. 

Experience: 

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job. 

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

A valid NC driver’s license.