Rehabilitation Specialist – Grant Funded; Inspections

Description & Duties

The recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy in the Inspections Assignment; however, the eligibility list may be used to fill future vacancies in both Inspection and Administration assignments. The current vacancy is a grant-funded position. This position is federally funded and is subject to annual renewal. Classifications receive employee benefits, but these classifications have been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will positions.

A Housing Rehabilitation Specialist – Grant-Funded is assigned to either Housing Rehabilitation Inspections or to Housing Rehabilitation Administration, and performs specialized office and/or field work involving planning, implementing, and coordinating housing rehabilitation activities for Housing and Community Development, which involves regular (single family, owner-occupied) rehabilitation, emergency rehabilitation, and rental rehabilitation projects. This class utilizes human relations skills for working with homeowners, rental property owners, and contractors, as well as administrative skills for complying with federal requirements and preparing related reports, forms, and documents, including those required by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Labor (DOL).

Although there are two designated assignments for the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist position, these duties assigned are subject to cross training and/or rotation to best meet the needs of the Division.

• Inspecting housing structures, which involves the interpretation of building codes;
• Determining suitability of housing structures for rehabilitation/remodeling;
• Preparing work write-ups and specifications, cost estimates, and change orders for rehabilitation work by contractors;
• Coordinating the contractor bidding process and negotiating performance of work with selected contractors;
• Monitoring wage compliance with the Davis‑Bacon Act;
• Providing lead direction and functional supervision to Housing maintenance staff and contractors.

• Explaining the housing rehabilitation program;
• Assisting clients with and processing their rehabilitation applications;
• Determining the homeowner's eligibility for the rehabilitation program and qualifying them for loans based on their ability to repay;
• Determining whether monthly payment plans or permanent liens are more appropriate;
• Working with the City’s Financial Services Department to establish loan payment plans;
• Preparing contracts, deeds, liens, lien releases, and other legal documents;
• Meeting with rehabilitation clients to review, sign, and record necessary legal documents;
• Providing counseling to clients and revising payment plans or subordinating the City’s liens to allow clients to refinance loans or obtain second mortgages;
• Establishing and maintaining project files to ensure documentation complies with HUD requirements and City regulations; and
• Working with other Departments involved in the implementation of the housing rehabilitation program; communicating with, and referring clients to, other local social service agencies for non‑housing assistance; explaining rehabilitation programs to housing contractors, developers, lenders, and mortgage and title companies; and preparing related reports.

Supervision is received from the Housing and Community Development Administrator who reviews work through conferences and results achieved. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

• Graduation from high school or GED (or equivalent);
• Considerable (3–5 years) full-time experience in the administration of housing programs or as a building contractor, building inspector, or similar position, including preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.

• Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date.

• International Code Council (ICC) certificate and/or graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Structural Design or Drafting, Building Inspection, or a closely related area;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking skills are highly desirable;
• Certification through the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) is also highly desirable.

City of Mesa