What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Development Liaison Officer position at City Of Reading?
JOB VACANCY #: JV 2025-47
THE POSITION OF: CD Liaison Officer
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION OF: Community Development
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
CLASSIFICATION: AFSCME (Professional)
SCHEDULE: 35 Hrs/Week
SALARY: Per CBA
POSTING DATE: December 31, 2025
Qualified, interested candidates must submit an application and current resume. For questions email: Gissell.vargas@readingpa.gov
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Liaison Officer for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), jointly with other Community Development support staff, is responsible for managing the City’s Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Home Investment Partnership (HOME) and Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) programs.
Typical duties include but may not be limited to:
- Oversee, monitor, and administer the City’s Federal HOME and ESG programs, ensuring compliance with Federal guidelines
- Responsible for the direct supervision for all community development specialists and indirect supervision of the clerical staff, interns, and aides. This includes the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG), the Emergency Shelter Grant program (ESG) and HUD 108/BEDI projects
- Prepare and amend ESG and homelessness-related sections of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER
- Direct the Community Development Department to follow the appropriate City of Reading Ordinances as well as those established through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Maintain accurate records related to housing, economic development, job creation statistics, and personnel files
- Manages and coordinates the Community Development fleet of vehicles, including reservations, tracking vehicles’ physical locations, fuel cards and mileage
- Assist in administering all CDBG, HOME and ESG funded program activities as needed
- Coordinates and supports Community Development department special projects and duties as assigned
- Attends meetings with other City departments, or the public, on behalf of the Community Development department as assigned
- Facilitate the monitoring and coordinated partnership of RACP state grants and other State programs. Communicate with State officials and community partners
- Maintain the Department’s summer internship program
- Coordinates with the HOME Technical Assistance Consultant
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Educational Requirements
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, business administration or a related field.
- A Master’s in Public Administration or Business Administration is preferred.
Experience
- Knowledge and experience in the administration of entitlement grants the City receives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (CDBG, HOME, ESG)
- Three (3) years at a minimum working within the federal / state grants and programs.
- Prior supervisory experience preferred