The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Affordable Housing Officer in the Community and Economic Development Department. The ideal candidate for this position is an excellent communicator, forward thinking, collaborative, and experienced in affordable housing policy, development and finance. As the primary representative of the City’s Affordable Housing programs, this role requires demonstrated leadership in policy development to advance local government affordable housing objectives, experience in affordable housing programs management such as tax abatement or municipal funding programs to support affordable housing, and expertise in real estate, urban planning, and / or development finance in multi-family residential and mixed use commercial development. Our selected candidate must demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion and will join a team of passionate professionals who are dedicated to exceptional public service. For more information about the affordable housing program areas, see our web resources at Affordable Housing and City-owned Property Redevelopment.
This position is responsible for planning, managing and overseeing City-funded affordable housing programs including Housing Trust Fund Administration, Land Use Incentive Grant Administration, Fee Rebate Program, Down Payment Assistance Program, and the $25M Affordable Housing Bond. Work involves developing and implementing program policies and procedures; preparing and monitoring program budgets, and coordinating and marketing affordable housing development opportunities, initiatives, and incentives. This position is responsible for the intake and advancement of partnerships and participants in these programs, presenting results and recommendations to the City Council for decision making and ultimately executing contracts and ensuring compliance with the programs.
This role leads the affordable housing development initiatives on City-owned property and serves as project manager for development projects for affordable and mixed income communities. Work includes evaluating City property for redevelopment; identifying, overseeing and performing real estate acquisitions for redevelopment properties, if needed; leading and coordinating redevelopment projects and efforts, including contracts and processes, with City staff, developers ,funding partners, and allied agencies, non-profits, and for-profit entities; managing consultants and contracts, including bid solicitation, evaluation, award, and negotiation; managing project budget; prepares reports and gives presentations to City administrators, City Council, committees, and community groups; prepares website and communications materials for project; and monitors project progress.
This position leads the Affordable Housing Division within the Community and Economic Development Department and supervises an Affordable Housing Specialist whose function is to support the implementation of these programs. The position serves as the City’s primary liaison to the community of affordable housing development professionals and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
This position’s work is supported by close guidance and partnership from the Department Director, staff support via the Affordable Housing Specialist position and robust internal working relationships with the City’s legal, finance, development services and planning and urban design departments.
Independent judgment and initiative is imperative in developing long- and short-range plans for the City’s affordable housing initiatives. Presentation skills, tact and courtesy are required in frequent dealings with elected officials, other City departments, associated agencies and the general public. Work is performed with considerable independence and is evaluated through assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of affordable housing programs.
– Hiring Rate: $ 67,121.60
– Full Salary Range: $ 67,121.60 – $100,984.00
Exempt position, Full-Time; 37.5 hours per week
Work Schedule: Generally Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., however this position requires some attendance at evening meetings of the Asheville City Council and related meetings. Flexible / remote work options are available.
Open until a sufficient number of applications are received, with initial review on March 14, 2022.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Leads and coordinates City functions related to municipal-funded affordable housing initiatives and programs.
- Develops and recommends policies and programs related to affordable housing for City Management and City Council.
- Oversees municipal affordable housing funding programs, such as Housing Trust Fund, Land Use Incentive Grant, Fee Rebates, and $25M Affordable Housing Bond: directs and oversees application processes; manages and monitors funding allocations; oversees preparation and submission of all required documentation; reviews and updates policies and procedures; and presents information to relevant Committees and City Council for key decisions in funding allocation(s).
- Develops and maintains program financial management and budgets.
- Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned Affordable Housing Division staff.
- Shares information and policy recommendations to the City Council Housing and Community Development Committee, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, and advises Council and various boards regarding housing development issues; attends and conducts a variety of meetings and public hearings.
- Prepares reports and delivers presentations to committees and City Council regarding affordable housing activities. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of housing development activities in the City; and of trends and best practices nationwide.
- Develops and improves systems of management for housing programs; trouble-shoots issues and identifies practical solutions.
- Partners and collaborates across departments on to address affordable housing-related issues and special projects.
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Performs related work as required.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, community development, urban planning, real estate development, business administration, finance, or a related field, plus 4 to 6 years of related experience in developing and/or implementing affordable housing development programs, including experience in employee supervision; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Working Conditions
Knowledge of:
- Thorough knowledge of affordable housing development and affordable housing incentive programs, regulations, and administrative requirements.
- Considerable knowledge of resources available for housing development projects, at local, state, and federal levels.
- Considerable knowledge of general management, local government, and business organization principles and practices.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
- Considerable knowledge of demographic and geographic features important to the community.
- Ability to exercise considerable independent judgment and discretion in establishing, applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
- Ability to gather, analyze and interpret a variety of types of data and to make sound recommendations from the information.
- Ability to develop effective promotional material for the City.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Ability to give oral presentations before large groups of people.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various governmental officials, stakeholders, and the general public.
Ability to:
- Plan, organize, supervise and direct the work of a professional/technical staff and consultants.
- Analyze situations accurately and pursue effective courses of action.
- Recognize and be sensitive to political environments and situations.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of complex technical reports and presentations.
- Perform moderately complex financial calculations.
- Operate modern office equipment and technology, including Google products.
- Exercise independent judgment and initiative in developing long and short range plans.
- Work independently with limited supervision.
- Demonstrate tact and courtesy in frequent dealings with subordinate and peer employees, associated agencies and the general public.
- Analyze and interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to apply this understanding to tasks.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including members of City departments and management, property owners, vendors, co-workers, and supervisors.
- Work under the supervision of the Community & Economic Development Director and be evaluated through assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of community development programs.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: Office environment that is relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards. Little physical effort is required.
