Programs Specialist; Promotional

Overview

The current vacancy is for Housing Programs Specialist in the Economic Development and Housing Department. This promotional recruitment is open to current regular City of Santa Cruz employees in the classified service only.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Promotional Housing Programs Specialist vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Under direction, the Housing Programs Specialist assists in the implementation and administration of the city’s affordable housing and federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs by organizing outreach, processing loans, developing and refining program components, coordinating with other agencies and monitoring compliance with program conditions.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

• On Thursday, 02/12/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.
• To apply, submit:
• • Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  • Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 02/16/26:
  Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 02/20/26.
• Week of 03/02/26 or 03/09/26:
  Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Under direction, the Housing Programs Specialist assists in the implementation and administration of the city’s affordable housing and federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs by organizing outreach, processing loans, developing and refining program components, coordinating with other agencies and monitoring compliance with program conditions.

The Housing Programs Specialist is distinguished from the next higher classification of Management Analyst in that the latter classification performs tasks of increasing difficulty – including: conducting independent research, drafting of policies and staff reports, performing complex analysis and minimally supervised project management within the housing division.

(May include, but are not limited to those duties listed below):

• Provides information regarding affordable housing programs such as, for sale and rental inclusionary housing (Measure O), accessory dwelling unit fee waivers, and also assists in the implementation of HUD’s HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) programs.
• Maintains information related to income, rent level, and sale price requirements for various programs.
• Analyzes applications to determine and verify eligibility and consistency with program criteria.
• Prepares and processes loan papers and other agreements required to accomplish funding or other assistance to affordable housing.
• Processes disbursements of funding and maintains project and program financial records.
• Monitors compliance with program conditions; conducts site visits to affordable housing projects.
• Processes quarterly reports, desk audits and other program performance and financial reports.
• Conducts activities as necessary for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), wage rate laws, relocation laws, lead-based and other hazard abatement laws, and other federal, state or local program requirements.
• Prepares reports containing analysis and recommendations to Loan Committee and City Council.
• Provides technical support to nonprofit and private developers of housing and…