Chicago Housing Authority
Program Specialist, Homeownership
Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Job Description
The Program Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for one or more contracted agencies or internal CHA programs and is responsible for ensuring that the program and scope of work is executed with the highest quality and efficiency. In addition, the Program Specialist is responsible for data tracking, educational presentations on homeownership, and responding to inquiries about the program.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESServe as a point of contact and oversees deliverables for contracted agencies in the CHA's homeownership models including, but not limited to, the Choose to Own and Down Payment Assistance programs.Respond to program inquiries from prospective participants and partners within two business days, interacts with individuals through email and phone and coordinates and leads large group information sessions (virtually and/or in-person) for prospective participants of CHA's homeownership models.Assist with and/or initiates marketing activities and community outreach to increase awareness and improve the effectiveness of program area strategies and services.Provide technical assistance to resident/participants interested in homeownership by walking them through the pathways to homeownership.Attend internal and external meetings to represent program area or CHA.Ensure that established priorities, rules, and procedures for the program or contract are followed and completed within set timelines.Conduct bi-weekly check-ins with all participants on the path towards homeownership to monitor and track progress.Conduct monthly audits to identify participants that have reached their full program participation term and send written communication to inform participants of final participation date.Request inspection set-up and scheduling/re-scheduling upon receipt of new contracts.Design and distribute program surveys and analyze and report results. Capture qualitative feedback from participants, manage program data and review best practices to ensure continuous program improvement.Maintain applicant and participant files.Coordinate internally with the Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure smooth transition into homeownership and ongoing coordination throughout participation.Directly deliver or create avenues for contractors to receive training regarding CHA policy, procedure and forms, and data systems. Facilitate meetings in larger settings as well as within specific agencies as required.Provide technical assistance to assigned contractors related to meeting performance metrics, CHA policies, and other program requirements.Ensure that assigned contractors complete and submit appropriate tracking of all activity as well as obtain and create/write necessary written reports.Explore and identify other models of homeownership programs, as well as ways to celebrate residents who make progress towards economic power, and outlines benefits for consideration.Regularly identify program issues or opportunities to Division leadership and makes recommendations and implement procedural and program changes accordingly.Provide quality customer relations by answering questions for and addressing concerns of external and internal stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.Develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with homeowners, internal staff, contractors, and external community partners.Manages multiple projects simultaneously.Responds to change in a positive manner.May be asked to handle tasks outside of job description to meet broader goals of CHA and Resident Services.This position requires working hours outside of CHA's established hours of 8:30 AM-5 PM Monday-Friday.This position has the option of working remotely one day per week following successful probationary period.
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of two (2) years of related experience. Knowledge of and experience in real estate, homeownership counseling, or mortgage lending preferred. Or in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, this position requires a combination of four (4) years of education and three (3) years of prior work experience in real estate, homeownership counseling or mortgage lending. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present to large audiences and effectively move groups from ideas to actions. Experience in public speaking, participant recruitment, providing technical assistance and professional development to contractors, and/or building and managing relationships with families with low incomes and community partners preferred. Team player with the ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously and work independently under minimal supervision. Ability to prioritize and exercise good judgment. Creative and effective problem solver when confronted with obstacles. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Teams and Zoom. Position requires a valid driver's license.
Salary Range: $62,000 - 70,000
Grade: S6
FLSA: Exempt
The Program Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for one or more contracted agencies or internal CHA programs and is responsible for ensuring that the program and scope of work is executed with the highest quality and efficiency. In addition, the Program Specialist is responsible for data tracking, educational presentations on homeownership, and responding to inquiries about the program.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESServe as a point of contact and oversees deliverables for contracted agencies in the CHA's homeownership models including, but not limited to, the Choose to Own and Down Payment Assistance programs.Respond to program inquiries from prospective participants and partners within two business days, interacts with individuals through email and phone and coordinates and leads large group information sessions (virtually and/or in-person) for prospective participants of CHA's homeownership models.Assist with and/or initiates marketing activities and community outreach to increase awareness and improve the effectiveness of program area strategies and services.Provide technical assistance to resident/participants interested in homeownership by walking them through the pathways to homeownership.Attend internal and external meetings to represent program area or CHA.Ensure that established priorities, rules, and procedures for the program or contract are followed and completed within set timelines.Conduct bi-weekly check-ins with all participants on the path towards homeownership to monitor and track progress.Conduct monthly audits to identify participants that have reached their full program participation term and send written communication to inform participants of final participation date.Request inspection set-up and scheduling/re-scheduling upon receipt of new contracts.Design and distribute program surveys and analyze and report results. Capture qualitative feedback from participants, manage program data and review best practices to ensure continuous program improvement.Maintain applicant and participant files.Coordinate internally with the Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure smooth transition into homeownership and ongoing coordination throughout participation.Directly deliver or create avenues for contractors to receive training regarding CHA policy, procedure and forms, and data systems. Facilitate meetings in larger settings as well as within specific agencies as required.Provide technical assistance to assigned contractors related to meeting performance metrics, CHA policies, and other program requirements.Ensure that assigned contractors complete and submit appropriate tracking of all activity as well as obtain and create/write necessary written reports.Explore and identify other models of homeownership programs, as well as ways to celebrate residents who make progress towards economic power, and outlines benefits for consideration.Regularly identify program issues or opportunities to Division leadership and makes recommendations and implement procedural and program changes accordingly.Provide quality customer relations by answering questions for and addressing concerns of external and internal stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.Develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with homeowners, internal staff, contractors, and external community partners.Manages multiple projects simultaneously.Responds to change in a positive manner.May be asked to handle tasks outside of job description to meet broader goals of CHA and Resident Services.This position requires working hours outside of CHA's established hours of 8:30 AM-5 PM Monday-Friday.This position has the option of working remotely one day per week following successful probationary period.
QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of two (2) years of related experience. Knowledge of and experience in real estate, homeownership counseling, or mortgage lending preferred. Or in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, this position requires a combination of four (4) years of education and three (3) years of prior work experience in real estate, homeownership counseling or mortgage lending. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present to large audiences and effectively move groups from ideas to actions. Experience in public speaking, participant recruitment, providing technical assistance and professional development to contractors, and/or building and managing relationships with families with low incomes and community partners preferred. Team player with the ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously and work independently under minimal supervision. Ability to prioritize and exercise good judgment. Creative and effective problem solver when confronted with obstacles. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Teams and Zoom. Position requires a valid driver's license.
Salary Range: $62,000 - 70,000
Grade: S6
FLSA: Exempt