Continuum of Care Specialist - LTE*

THIS POSTION IS FEDERALLY FUNDED AND IS A LIMITED TERM EMPLOYMENT (LTE) POSITION FOR UP TO 4 YEARS, BASED ON ANNUAL RENEWALS OF FEDERAL AWARDS FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. THE POSITION IS FULL TIME WORKING 38.75 HOURS PER WEEK AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS. 

This is responsible community development work within the Community Development Division (CDD) largely intended to support work done by and on behalf of the Dane County Continuum of Care (CoC), of which the City of Madison is a member. The position will work to implement a community wide process to manage and coordinate the efforts of local homeless providers and related organizations to meet the goals of preventing and ending homelessness. This position will:

• assist with coordinating the CoC Homeless Assistance Grant Application processes by working with agencies submitting renewals and reallocating funds and recruiting new agencies to fill identified CoC gaps;
• provide a systematic way to conduct program evaluations of federal, state and locally funded CoC activities and coordinate with City staff that evaluate City-administered grant programs;
• provide technical assistance and contract with outside experts, 
• coordinate the CoC’s response to the Madison & Dane County Consolidated Plan processes;
• provide guidance to City and County policymakers and elected officials with respect to objectives and strategies addressed in the Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Dane County. 

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Management and Coordination

• Work with service agencies, funders and other parties of interest to identify unmet needs in serving homeless populations.
• Help establish specific and measurable goals and objectives around homelessness.
• Work with CoC leadership to establish priorities for use in guiding the work of the organization’s members and in making resource allocation decisions.
• Research and identify effective strategies and best practices used to address homelessness. Coordinate and implement strategies identified in the CoC’s plan to address unsheltered homelessness.
• Provide staff support to facilitate collaboration and coordination around the delivery of homeless services.
• Help identify and address needs for staff training and development.
• Represent the CoC at meetings and conferences and engage in advocacy related to homeless issues. Assist with management of the CoC listserv and website.
• Provide support to help improve communications between/among CoC service providers, their peers across the country, policymakers, the public and other parties of interest.
• Coordinate the annual Point in Time Count and publish results.

CoC Application

• Identify and review federal and state notices of funding availability to determine applicability to the CoC and disseminate to CoC member agencies.
• Provide support to the CoC and its Board in developing and executing strategies and internal processes necessary to pursue available funds.
• Provide technical support to CoC agencies to facilitate the preparation and submission of grant proposals. Support the assembly and submission of final grant applications, on behalf of the CoC.
• Work with the CoC to help define desired performance outcomes around homeless services and effective service strategies, and to identify gaps in services.

Project Evaluation

• Work with the CoC Board and others to undertake annual monitoring of CoC-funded projects. 
• Ensure program standards reflect current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules/guidance and that agencies adhere to Written Standards adopted by the CoC Board.
• Coordinate training and technical assistance for projects needing assistance.
• Work with CoC agencies, funders and other interested parties to enhance the performance of the community’s coordinated entry system and ensure full participation by CoC agencies. Work with agencies, funders, persons experiencing homelessness and others to identify and address homeless service gaps.

City of Madison’s Consolidated Plan/CDD Strategic Plans

• Develop metrics to measure progress toward broad community outcomes focused on ending homelessness.
• Identify, compile and analyze available data describing the number and demographics of individuals receiving homeless services to assess community need.
• Monitor progress toward reaching benchmarks identified in the Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.
• Participate in staff meetings and strategic planning sessions.

Perform related work as assigned.Two (2) years of experience with the following:

• Principles, concepts and techniques associated with public grant or loan administration, budgeting, and public finance.
• Relevant local, state, and federal government policies, regulations and decision making processes.
• Concepts and principles surrounding community development and/or relevant service and project models.
• Housing, homeless services, and the roles of and relationships between housing stability, educational attainment, economic and social mobility, child care access, and equitable access to resources in supporting community and strengthening neighborhoods. 
• Principles and practices associated with racial equity and social justice in community development.
• Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Suite and database systems.

OR

• One (1) year of experience planning for, implementing, or evaluating community development activities or grant-funded services to targeted populations or program areas, including experience related to homelessness.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Real Estate, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Sociology or a related field.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
 
For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.

• Possession of valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements:

• The employee will be expected to physically travel to various community service agencies, businesses and/or residences throughout the City and surrounding area.
• The employee will be expected on occasion to attend meetings outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Must perform work at a sit/stand desk using standard office equipment.

*The payroll title is Community Development Specialist 1.