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NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
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Reports to: Neighborhood Development Supervisor Class Code: 1837
Grade: 105 FLSA: Non - Exempt
Hourly Wage: $30.55 ~ $36.66
NATURE OF WORK
Promotes visions and goals by serving the public with administrative and technical work associated with carrying out City of Rockford Community & Economic Development programs and activities while adhering to local, state, and federal regulations and statutes.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This is a professional project-management position responsible for managing projects within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rockford. This includes application intake, fully underwriting projects/applicants/beneficiaries to determine eligibility based on established criteria, preparation of legal documentation for providing financial assistance, conducting closings, handling financial payouts, and data collection for detailed reporting to funders. Work also involves increasing community awareness of programs through marketing efforts, which may include assisting Neighborhood Development Supervisor with community events such a workshops/seminars, etc. Work includes exercising judgment by making decisions and interpreting policies and procedures within areas of responsibility.
Works under the general supervision of the Neighborhood Development Supervisor with additional guidance provided by the Housing and Programs Manager and the Community and Economic Development Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.)
Manages assigned projects, starting with solicitation and onsite application intake through final completion of the project, ensuring full compliance with funders, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and statues. Projects may include, but are not limited to, housing new construction and the preservation of housing for property owners and renter, providing financial assistance for homeownership, all generally benefitting low-moderate income neighborhoods and persons.
Act as main contact for all parties involved with the assigned projects. This includes, but is not limited to, applicants, contractors, inspectors, financial institutions, appraisers, title companies, sub recipients, developers, lead, radon, or termite professionals, and internal employees from other departments.
Logs calls and details correspondence with all parties associated with the project.
Gathers, reviews, and approves appropriate documentation demonstrating the eligibility of property owners and/or beneficiaries being assisted through City programs. Documentation includes, but is not limited to title searches and/or commitments, appraisals, personal and business tax returns, financial and mortgage statements, closing statements, invoices, contractor sworn statements, lien waivers, etc.
Calculates housing ratios (front end and back end), loan to value/equity, etc. for determining eligibility for homeownership assistance.
Prepares and ensures completeness of documentation throughout the whole process of managing the project. Documentation includes, but is not limited to, the application and underwriting materials, closing packages, construction contracts and modifications such as change orders and extensions, sworn statements, lien waivers, and any additional documents required by a funder.
Provides administrative support to Residential Properties Inspector, ensuring compliance with all program requirements. This includes but is not limited to, scheduling inspections, documenting work that is required and completed through programming, preparing legal documents and supporting paperwork for the project file, and explaining documentation prior to obtaining appropriate signatures from all applicable parties.
Takes on site pictures during property inspections, which are then uploaded and labeled appropriately into software systems and electronic files for future use by other City staff to complete Environmental Reviews and Work Write-ups, etc.
Prepares closing package consisting of all the required legal documentation, schedules the closing, and conducts closing when assistance is provided to qualified applicants.
Manages escrow accounts, including the processing of payments to contractors and third-party professionals.
Maintains accurate, well-organized project files to ensure efficient tracking and accessibility.
Supports supervisor with assigned administrative tasks associated with housing development, public facilities, and infrastructure projects, and public service activities. In addition, assists with marketing initiatives.
Attends various departmental and division staff meetings.
Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.
Other duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the supervision of the Neighborhood Development Supervisor or other administrative superior. Work is performed according to extensive federal regulations, and most guidance comes from regulations governing each funding source. Work is reviewed daily through established city, department, and program checks and balances for accuracy, completeness and adherence with federal and state laws and regulations and City rules and regulations. Work is reviewed annually for overall results achieved.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision is not a normal responsibility of this class.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work activities are primarily sedentary in nature, sitting at a desk operating a personal computer, although movement about the work area is by walking or by other means. Some work is spent in the field interviewing applicants, taking pictures of properties. Taking pictures require the ability to climb, crawl, and bend. There can be exposure to hazards in properties.
SUCCESS FACTORS (KSAs)
Knowledge and ability to interpret and explain laws, regulations, guidelines, directives, policies and procedures applicable to program administration.
Knowledge of financial institutions, mortgages, credit policies and arrangements relating to the origination of loans.
Knowledge of MS Office Suite or other word processing, spreadsheet and data base software standards that may be adopted by City departments.
Ability to calculate ratios, prepare reports, and maintain records and files.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Skill in the use and care of a personal computer.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
Graduation from High School or GED, supplemented by college level coursework in business administration, real estate, accounting or a related field; and one year of experience in housing rehabilitation, home improvement finance, or mortgage loan processing. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be substituted for the required experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid Illinois driver's license.
Residency Requirement:
All employees (except Police and Fire) shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within fifteen (15) miles of the Rockford City Hall within six (6) months of completion of their introductory period, department heads and City Administrator shall live within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.
Position : 000183701
Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location : CD NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Group : EXEMPT NON
Job Class : NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT SPECI
Posting End : 07/24/2026
Details : BENEFITS
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