CNI Coordinator

Choice Neighborhood Initiative Coordinator

The Housing Authority of the City of Camden (HACC) received a $40M Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) grant that included approval of the Housing Authority's request for participation in the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program. HACC is seeking a Coordinator for its CNI Program. This full-time position will be responsible for general oversight of all grant activities and be the liaison between the Housing Authority, City of Camden, CNI Partners and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to ensure that all the work is being completed in accordance with the grant agreement and all applicable regulations and requirements are met.   This position is for forty (40) hours per week, Monday – Friday.  Some Saturdays may be required for Community events.

The HACC, as Grantee, respectively oversees all aspects of the implementation of the CNI grant. As grant and project manager, coordinates all CNI activities, oversees implementation of the grant, and ensures the vision of the respective organizations is fully represented by the implementation leads; Housing, Neighborhood, and People. The CNI Coordinator will report to the Deputy Executive Director and will perform overall strategic oversight and general supervision of the CNI Project. 

This is a grant-funded position and is expected to be completed within 4 years.     

Exempt/Salary Range:  Negotiable

Successful candidates will be subject to satisfactory drug and criminal background screenings before hiring. 

Please note that we are an equal employment opportunities employer.

Required Qualifications and Education:

The minimum educational qualification required to be a CNI Coordinator is Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Urban Renewal, Business Administration, Real Estate finance, or a related field.

 Minimum five years of work experience with federal housing and community development programs including Choice Neighborhood and HOPE VI programs or similarly broad community development/place-based initiatives, including program or contract management, budget development and management, and program management.  All appointees must have a valid Driver’s License.  

The Housing Authority of the City of Camden offers a competitive starting salary. Interested and qualified candidates may apply in confidence by submitting a cover letter, resume, and compensation requirements to the Career Center located in the ADP link below.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CAMDEN

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:               Choice Neighborhood Initiative Coordinator

DEPARTMENT:                  Resident Initiatives

REPORTS TO:                    Deputy Executive Director or designee

Employment Status:         Full-time

Union Status:                     Non-Union

Funding:                             Grant Funded Position. Employment will expire once the grant concludes.

FLSA Status:                     Exempt

SUMMARY:  The Housing Authority of the City of Camden (HACC) received a $40M Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) grant that included approval of the Housing Authority's request for participation in the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program. The CNI Coordinator is responsible for the detailed management and implementation oversight of Camden’s Cramer Hill - Ablett Village Choice Neighborhood initiatives, including successful and intentional completion of the Housing Plan, Neighborhood Critical Community Improvements (CCI) plan, and the People Plan.  The Camden CNI Coordinator will also be responsible for sustaining partnerships, managing consultants and serve as the liaison between the Housing Authority, City of Camden, CNI Lead Partners and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to ensure that all of the work is being completed in accordance with the approved grant agreement and that all applicable regulations and requirements are met.

The HACC, as Grantee, respectively oversees all aspects of the implementation of the CNI grant. As grant and project manager, coordinates all CNI activities, oversees implementation of the grant, and ensures the vision of the respective organizations is fully represented by the implementation leads. The CNI Coordinator who will report to the Deputy Executive Director, will perform overall strategic oversight and general supervision. 

This is a grant-funded position and is expected to be completed within 4 years.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, but are not limited to the job specifications contained herein. Additional duties or job functions that can be performed safely may be required as deemed necessary by supervisory personnel.

• Coordinate a collaborative process for addressing issues of neighborhood housing quality, public safety, economic development, small business development financing, neighborhood developmental reviews, and potential community displacement impacts.
• Serve as liaison between the Choice Neighborhood program stakeholders and the Neighborhood Community leaders in the implementation of the CNI Plan objectives, as outlined in the Camden CNI Grant application. Implement the goals and objectives, develop and track the implementation schedule, and oversee the program budgets, while advancing all components of Cramer Hill – Ablett Village Choice Neighborhood Initiatives.

• Work closely with the city, community-based organizations, stakeholders, public and private partners, and organizations to strategically coordinate the programs and investments in the Cramer Hill CNI transformation area.
• Coordinate the services and activities of key implementation entities to impact the neighborhood to efficiently and effectively advance revitalization efforts.
• Administer program and policies to accomplish a shared, strategic vision for transformative development.
• Coordinate with the City and the Camden Police Department regarding the
   community safety initiatives targeted to the Cramer Hill CNI transformation
   area. 
• Through collaboration with key partners, ensure that Cramer Hill Choice Neighborhood Initiatives are being implemented in a timely manner, meet with partners and stakeholders to meet requirements, and ensure adherence to the HUD CNI Grant Agreement and all other agreements.
• Anticipate potential challenges in the execution of Camden’s Choice Neighborhood Initiatives and prepare and execute revised plans to ensure the agreed-upon program outcomes are achieved.
• Play a key role in providing analysis and recommendations for projects eligible to be funded with the Camden CNI Funding and leveraged funds.
• Manage approved HUD plans and program budgets, including identifying and utilizing outside funding sources to implement program objectives consistent with Cramer Hill Choice Neighborhood initiatives. 
• Report on progress toward meeting work plan goals and budget.
• Collect and analyze data, working with Lead Partners - plan, track,
   and monitor ongoing improvement of Cramer Hill Choice Neighborhood initiatives. 
• Complete all reporting required by HUD. 
• Ensure contract compliance with all HUD, Federal, State, and Local Government laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Represent the Cramer Hill Choice Neighborhood Team at appropriate meetings, presentations, and community events, as needed.
• Finalize and track Neighborhood outcomes for reporting to HUD and the Cramer Hill CNI community.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the CNI calendar of events, organizational databases, and all records and reports for CNI, partners and community stakeholders.

• Knowledge of Computer Skills, Data Entry, and Microsoft Office Skills.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Urban Renewal, Business Administration, Real Estate finance, or a related field and 3-5 years of experience.  A bachelor’s (master’s degree preferred) from an accredited college or university.
• Planning - Comprehensive knowledge of philosophies, practices, principles, and techniques of the municipal and strategic planning processes as they pertain to development and redevelopment. Knowledge of local government operations, as well as basic social service organizations and programs. 
• Community Development - Thorough knowledge of principles and practices in neighborhood and program planning. Knowledge of City ordinances, codes and regulations pertaining to neighborhood planning. 
• Interpersonal Relationships - Establishes and builds cooperative working relationships with employees, citizens, community and private organizations, elected officials, boards, and commissions. Effectively responds to and resolves complex inquiries and disputes. Handles all interactions with poise, tact, and diplomacy.  Successful in creating collaborative relationships or coalitions.        Ability to work harmoniously with associates and others.  Responsible for courteous, efficient response at all times.

• Critical Thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to the situation.
• Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine and projects. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a schedule accordingly.  Implements work activities in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
• Communication - Excellent ability to communicate complex ideas and proposals effectively to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing, to include preparing and presenting a wide variety of public relations materials, conducting meetings, and report preparation. Ability to understand political sensitivities and handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. 
• Judgement/ Decision Making - Ability to use logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate situations and exercise good judgment to make appropriate decisions, and to work independently.
• Technology – Working knowledge of personal computers, word processing, spreadsheet, and related software to effectively complete a variety of assignments with reasonable speed and accuracy.  Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the employer, office, or related units.
• Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Urban Renewal, Business Administration, Real Estate Finance, or a related field.

 Minimum five years of work experience with federal housing and community development programs, including Choice Neighborhood and HOPE VI programs or similarly broad community development/place-based initiatives, including program or contract management, budget development and management, and program management. All appointees must have a valid Driver’s License.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to communicate effectively, interpersonal and presentation skills.  Ability to read a limited number of two and three-syllable words and basic numbers. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING ABILITY: Practical knowledge to understand and follow detailed and complex instructions, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires frequent standing, stretching, bending, stooping, squatting, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting of objects weighing up to 25 pounds or more.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.   

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NEW JERSEY RESIDENCY LAW: Pursuant to “New Jersey First Act,” N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (P.L. 2011, Chapter 70), effective September 1, 2011, all newly hired employees of State and local government must reside in the State of New Jersey, unless exempted under the law.  If you do not reside in New Jersey, you have one year after the date of hire to relocate your residence to New Jersey.  If you do not do so, you are subject to removal from your office, position, or employment.

This job description is not an employment agreement, contract agreement, or contract. Management has an exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

I, __________________________________________ have read the above job description for my position, I fully understand the contents, and I shall perform these duties to the best of my ability.

Employee Signature ____________________________        Date: ______________