Federal Administrator of Programs & Grants

CITY OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

Personnel Division

EMPLOYMENT ADVERTISEMENT

FEDERAL ADMINISTRATOR OF PROGRAMS & GRANTS

The City of Woonsocket, RI is conducting a search for a Federal Administrator of Programs and Grants.  Working under the direction of the Director of Planning & Development, the person in this position will be responsible for the daily administration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant and HOME Programs, as well as supervise the administration of other Federal and State related programs to community and housing development and rehabilitation.  The successful candidate must also be able to source and apply for program funds as they become available.  A Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Human Services, or a related field, as well as knowledge of all laws and regulations pertaining to State and Federal Grant Programs are required.  In addition, the successful candidate must have four 4) years of administrative experience, including two (2) years of experience in public housing servicing program management, or community development.  Proficiency in MS Office Suite including Outlook, Word and Excel is required.  Must possess a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

Application Deadline:     Friday, January 3, 2025

Classification:     Local 3851/Professional and Technical

Weekly Rate:     $1,468.38/week to $1,608.68/week       [T19]

Hours of Work:     40 Hours Per Week

Examination Date: Monday, January 6, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

                                Woonsocket City Hall, Harris Hall (Third Floor)

                                169 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895

To Apply:  The City of Woonsocket offers a competitive benefit and compensation package.  For more information on this position including a full position description and application visit the “Employment” section on the City of Woonsocket website via the following URL:

https://www.woonsocketri.org/personnel-department/pages/employment-opportunities

Please forward your completed application and resume to Nikki Aphonphanh, Personnel Division, City of Woonsocket, 169 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895.  You may send your information electronically to naphonphanh@woonsocketri.org.

A City of Woonsocket Application for Employment must be completed and one can be obtained by visiting the “Employment” section of the City’s website at www.woonsocketri.org.

About Woonsocket:  A City that upholds forward thinking principles for both employees and residents.  Located in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley, the City of Woonsocket is a vibrant, urban community and is surrounded by the growing suburban communities of Lincoln, Cumberland and North Smithfield, and boasts a positive business climate where City officials and the business community work together to build a strong economy.  Woonsocket is centrally located in the Boston/Worcester/Providence triangle, and home to CVS Corporation, a Fortune 500 company.

JOB TITLE:                           Federal Administrator of Programs & Grants

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:  Planning & Development Department/Zoning, Building Inspection & Construction Division

PAY GRADE/HOURS:          Grade T19 / 40-hour work week

UNION:                                  Local 3851/Professional and Technical

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under the direction of the Director of Planning and Development, the Federal Administrator of Programs & Grants will be responsible for administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and HOME Programs, coordinates and supervises the administration of other federal and state programs relating to community development, housing development and rehabilitation; provides information to the public, maintains financial, statistical and narrative reports and records.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifies potential funding sources, preparation of grant applications, composition and submission of performance reports, and oversight of all related program operations.
• Organizes, directs and administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME programs, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and associated Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) activities and/or additional Management Information Systems (MIS) as designated.
• Prepares and reviews all grant agreements; prepares Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reports and submits annual applications to HUD.
• Prepares Environmental Reviews.
• The job includes responsibility for creating and implementing a five-year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development and the ability to maintain a collaborative and cooperative working relationship with elected and appointed officials, other City employees, community-based organizations, and the general public.
• Performs work and coordinates with all divisions of the Planning Department for the implementation of grant funds and other various projects as assigned by the Planning Director.
• Coordinates the activities of the grant programs with the Finance Department for drawdown of federal funds, vendor payments, and the preparation and submission of various financial reports as required.
• Assists and advises local non-profit organizations regarding eligible City funds for low to moderate income and special needs populations.
• Communicates with a variety of City personnel, departments and outside organizations regarding coordination of programs and activities, resolution of issues or concerns, housing and program development, grant administration and to exchange information.
• Monitors CDBG, HOME, ESG and other programs including subrecipients to ensure compliance with HUD requirements and regulations; ensures program regulations are met.
• Prepares and maintain a variety of records, reports and files related to assigned activities; submits documents to appropriate City personnel, department or organization as needed.
• Prepares the HOME Consolidated Planning Strategy as assigned.
• Maintains files to internal and external municipal, state, and federal audit and monitoring standards.
• Contributing member of the departmental planning team responsible for developing public policy on various planning and development issues in coordination with City Administration.
• Interacts with the City Council, Planning Board, local community-based organizations, state and federal government agencies, and other representative groups in the formulation of policy and programs.
• Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Responsible for supervising staff, as assigned.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, human services or related field.
• Four (4) years increasingly responsible administrative experience, to include at least two (2) years of experience in public housing services programs, management, or community development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite to include Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience that will provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful performing the essential functions of the job.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.
• CDBG and HOME program objectives, goals, rules and regulations.
• Housing financing and development.
• Grant writing methods and techniques.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Modern office practices, methods, procedures and equipment.
• Record-keeping principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Administer the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local requirements and regulations.
• Prepare grant applications.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communications in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including personal computer equipment using standard or customized software application programs appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Work requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in and about construction sites, over rough terrain, or standing or walking much of the work period.  Employee is exposed to outdoor work, traffic, loud noises, emotional stress, and risk of personal injury; however, duties are largely mental rather than physical; but may require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a personal computer and/or most office equipment, typing and word processing, filing, sorting papers or operating a motor vehicle.  Position requires constant reading of documents and reports for understanding.  Employee is not required to distinguish colors.

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.

CONFIDENTIALITY:  Employee has access to confidential information and is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of that information as it relates to written and electronic documents and correspondence.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State driver's license upon hire date.

An Equal Opportunity Employer