Community Development Specialist

State of Idaho Career Opportunity

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

As the lead economic development and marketing agency for the State of Idaho, the mission of the Idaho Department of Commerce is to foster a business-friendly environment to aid in quality job creation, support existing companies, strengthen communities, promote innovation, and market Idaho domestically and internationally.

Description:

The Idaho Department of Commerce is seeking a Community Development Specialist in Boise to support the administration and oversight of federal and state grant programs that assist in community investment and economic development across Idaho. The position provides administration, technical guidance, monitoring, and compliance support for grant funded public facility and infrastructure projects.

This position reports to the Community Development Manager.

Example of Duties:

• Provide grant management, project monitoring, and technical assistance for the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the State Rural Community Investment Fund (RCIF) program.

• Provide guidance to local government officials and grant administrators to help ensure their proposed public facility and infrastructure project will meet required eligibility standards and program objectives. Guidance may include pre-development site visits.

• Oversee, monitor, and track contracts and project status with Grantees (cities and counties) and sub-recipients. Ensure Grantees are complying with contract requirements and program rules.

• Review and monitor applications and funded public facility and infrastructure projects for federal compliance with applicable CDBG rules for: eligibility, environmental reviews, procurement, federal labor standards, Build America Buy America provisions, property acquisition, and civil rights. Compliance reviews include utilizing the Department's monitoring guide and may include on-site monitoring.

• Review, rate, and score CDBG and RCIF grant applications and prepares funding recommendations. Present and justify recommendations to the Economic Advisory Council.

• Prepare and review grant agreements.

• Provide guidance on preparing bidding documents and request for proposals to ensure compliance with CDBG requirements.

• Review and approve payment requests, project budgets, and closeout documents.

• Prepare and conduct grant application and grant administration workshops for local officials and consultants. Provide individualized training sessions on the CDBG program, which may include virtual and recorded sessions.

• Help in reviewing and editing CDBG and RCIF documents and handbooks.

• Assist in preparation of annual Consolidated Planning documents.

• Gather, assemble, update, and/or file program related information, forms, and records.

• Ensure required documentation submitted to allow for closeout of projects.

• Assist in data maintenance of the CDBG projects within HUD's IDIS records information system.

• Conduct debarment clearances and verification of Davis-Bacon wage determinations via the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Communicate frequently with Grantees and provide technical assistance with federal and state requirements.

• Research and analyze issues or need areas.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. You must attach a resume, work history and references to your application. Your resume and work history must clearly reflect how you meet the minimum qualifications. Failure to provide this information may disqualify you from being considered for this position.

Experience:

• Working in a professional capacity with a federal, state and/or local economic or community development organization;
• Planning and conducting activities such as group meetings, workshops, or seminars;
• Interpreting and applying laws and regulations;
• Developing grants or contracts including identifying goals and timetables and determining program needs and funding;
• Monitoring and evaluating grant or contract activities and expenditures.

Preferred Experience: It is not required for this position, but applicants with this experience may receive consideration over other applicants.

Experience:

• Knowledge of federal and/or state public facility, infrastructure or housing programs. Programs such as CDBG, HOME, DEQ / USDA-Rural Development loan funds or similar programs.
• Contract administration and program management for publicly funded construction projects.
• Evaluating and scoring applications or proposals.
• Developing written reports and making presentations.

Experience and Education: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be college level coursework and increasingly responsible experience in community or economic development and/or housing program administration.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• One of the top 5 retirement systems in the Nation (PERSI) that offers a defined lifetime benefit at retirement
• 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits that become effective first of the month following your hire date. All contributions can be pre-tax
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)
• Paid parental leave
• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children
• Additional perks and discounts available through medical provider
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility
• Employee assistance program

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.