CDBG Coordinator

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Performs a variety of professional duties and responsibilities to administer and implement the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, projects, and activities. 

Ensures program activities are in compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations as well as city policies and procedures. 

Assists with or produces the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, CAPER, and other related documents and the amendments to these plans and reports. 

Helps identify community needs related to community development and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Evaluates current programs to determine whether the city is addressing the priority needs listed in the Consolidated Plan, Housing Needs Assessment, and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. 

Communicates information on grant programs, plans, and opportunities to local nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, city departments and Thornton residents. 

Coordinates application process for CDBG funds. Completes and documents as assessment on each grant funding application to determine the eligibility, risk, and ranking of submitted projects.  

Gathers information, hires consultants, and/or completes the Environmental Review Records (ERR) for all CDBG funded projects. Drafts consultation letters with internal departments and agencies to obtain current data for the review. Posts the necessary public notifications. Drafts the required U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) forms related to the ERR; obtains the necessary signatures and maintain files of all ERR and related supporting documentation.

Prepares all agreements and memorandums of understanding between CDBG subrecipients and the City and interdepartmental subrecipients for execution.

Provides technical assistance to organizations and grant subrecipients on CDBG process starting from the application through the project close out. 

Monitors all CDBG funded activities and ensures compliance with contracts, budgetary requirements, environmental reviews, project deadlines, and other federal, state, and local regulations. 

Identifies and documents regulatory non-compliance issues and guides grant subrecipients to a successful compliance resolution. 

Reviews invoices and project change requests. Submits expenditure of funds for authorization. Tracks activity balances. 

Enters, modifies, and retrieves data and information from HUD’s IDIS. Keeps all IDIS activity files current and resolves any flags from HUD.

Establishes, organizes, and maintains administrative and activity files in electronic and/or physical files.

Prepares documents, reporting templates, reports, public notices, and authorization forms. Responsible for current, accurate, and complete files and databases. 

Keeps up to date with new HUD policies, procedures, and annual funding allocations.

Responds to all inquiries to grant-related questions based on federal, state, and local regulations through researching answers and providing technical assistance. 

Manages competing priorities to meet grant deadlines.

Attends and hosts CDBG/HOME user groups, conferences, and training events to increase the City's effectiveness of administering the grant program. 

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with team members and staff from all departments, other governments, and sub-recipient organizations. 

May be required to work overtime.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, finance, social work, nonprofit management, or related field from an accredited college or university; three years of experience working with government grants. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and goals of the city and the division.

Knowledge of structure, purpose, and administration of government grant programs.

Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations and reporting requirements of government grant programs.

Knowledge of the city’s current plans, studies, and reports related to housing and community development.

Skill in organization and attention to detail.

Skill with Microsoft computer programs, as well as spreadsheet and accounting programs.

Skill in effective communication techniques, both oral and written.

Skill in handling sensitive and stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.

Skill in understanding and responding to customer needs.

Skill in addressing multiple demands and meeting deadlines.

Ability to work with economically and culturally diverse people and groups.

Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment.

Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.

Ability to conduct research, analyze statistic data, prepare documents, and compile technical reports.

Ability to monitor and track projects and budgets.

Ability to enforce regulations and document regulatory non-compliance issues.

Ability to organize information in a clear and logical format.

Ability to research and analyze issues and to develop strategies and recommendations to address them.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, other departments, and members of the community.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, reach, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly; sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.