Community Development Specialist 1

General Description

The City of Madison is hiring a Community Development Specialist!

The Community Development Specialist performs responsible, professional work as a member of the Community Development Division (CDD) team charged with managing multiple funding streams used by the City to pursue its community development goals. The Specialist helps administer programs that assist local partners with activities that promise to improve housing conditions, create new development opportunities, support resident stability, prevent or end homelessness, or support facilities in neighborhoods that primarily serve a public function. This work entails a wide range of responsibilities. The Specialist will make funding recommendations, administer contracts, manage projects, ensure adherence to program and contract requirements, coordinate impacted parties and work in collaboration with Madison/Dane County Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinator to support CoC activities and help community partners achieve successful outcomes. The position may also participate in interdisciplinary efforts focused on broader strategies affecting the vibrancy of neighborhoods, shared prosperity, social justice or community well-being. The job will give the Specialist opportunity to take individual initiative and exercise professional judgment. The position works under the general supervision of the Community Development Manager.

CDD collaborates with residents, community-based organizations and other impacted parties in efforts to improve the quality of life for City residents and build cohesion and identity within neighborhoods and service provision. In general, these activities aim to benefit members of lower-income households and others who face social or economic barriers. CDD offers financial support to projects that expand or improve the supply of affordable housing, preserve the quality of existing housing stock, provide housing stability services to prevent and end homelessness and develop or maintain physical assets within neighborhoods that provide public benefit and contribute to a sense of place, and help neighborhoods plan for the future.

IMPORTANT: THERE ARE 2 SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE JOB POSTING.

YOU MUST ATTACH YOUR ANSWERS IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.

(To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)

**APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION. **

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban and Regional Planning, Real Estate, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Sociology or a related field.

OR

• One (1) year of experience planning for, implementing, or evaluating community development activities or grant-funded services to targeted populations or program areas.

OR

Two (2) years of experience with the following:

• Principles, concepts and techniques associated with public grant or loan administration, contracts, budgeting, and public finance.
• Local, state, and federal funding processes and programs.
• Housing, homeless services, and community development concepts and the roles of and relationships between housing stability, educational attainment, economic and social mobility, childcare access, and equitable access to resources in supporting community and strengthening neighborhoods.
• Principles and practices associated with racial equity and social justice in community development.
• Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Suite and database systems.