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The City of Overland Park has a full-time Community Development Coordinator position available in the Planning & Development Services Department.

SUMMARY: 

Under supervision, develop, coordinate implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of all aspects of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, including but not limited to: contract compliance, program management, subrecipient management, community engagement, and Fair Housing. Monitors, audits, documents, and determines compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules and regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Planning and Management 

• Assists in identifying critical community development needs to be addressed by the Community Development
• Block Grant Program through extensive public engagement, data and surveys, and consultation with internal and external partners. Facilitates the expansion of existing programs and helps determine implementation strategies for new programs to meet community needs.
• Manages the annual application process for CDBG Entitlement Funds, including determining project and applicant eligibility.
• Collaborates with the Neighborhood Services Supervisor to develop, monitor, and update all planning documents for the CDBG Program, including the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Citizen Participation Plan, and the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan. Prepares various reports required to administer assigned grant programs, including the CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), the semi-annual Labor Standards and Minority Business reports, and the Annual Federal Financial Report (FFR).
• Works closely with the City Finance Department to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and compliance with local and HUD financial policies.
• Utilizes federal reporting systems, including but not limited to the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) online, to manage information and payments for federally funded projects. Monitors IDIS for accuracy of the City's drawdowns for reimbursement of expenditures.
• Educates members of the public and City staff about Fair Housing.
• Assists the Neighborhood Services Supervisor in monitoring legislative actions concerning the CDBG program and related community development issues.
• Prepares staff reports and other agenda items for City Council Committee and City Council presentations.
• Participates in regular training opportunities to maintain a working knowledge of all aspects of the CDBG Program.
•  Meets regularly with the Johnson County Consortium to effectively operate the CDBG and HOME Programs.
• Provides oversight to the Sustainability Programs Coordinator regarding the preparation of the environmental reviews for grant programs as per the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Maintains a written record of the environmental review for each project, which contains all environmental review documents, public notices (and proof of their publication), and written determinations or environmental findings.
• Annually reviews and modifies the program’s policies and procedures.

Community Engagement 

• Acts as the staff liaison to the CDBG Advisory Committee (CAC), a plural authority. Prepares agenda and meeting materials, including arranging for speakers. Attends meetings (typically six to seven per year), ensures meeting notices are published and staff minutes are taken and transcribed promptly, and prepares and delivers oral and written reports. Conducts research and provides data-driven answers to CAC questions. Manages committee membership, including appointments, reappointments, and recruiting new committee members.
• Organizes and supports the citizen participation activities for the CDBG grant review processes by maintaining a high degree of citizen input into the grant administration process and by reviewing and presenting possible candidates for appointment to the City's CDBG Advisory Committee.
• Seeks to identify new engagement opportunities, particularly those that reach underrepresented or historically marginalized populations.
• Plans statutorily required public comment periods and public hearings. Coordinates with the City Clerk to ensure public notices are posted on time.
• Collaborates with City Communications to maintain the CDBG webpage and develop materials.
• Makes presentations regarding the CDBG program to other groups or committees. May coordinate program-specific events to engage City residents. Subrecipient Management
• Develops or revises the fiscal year grant contract, subrecipient grant agreements, and supporting document templates in collaboration with the Law Department to ensure compliance with HUD and local requirements.
• Drafts annual subrecipient agreements and route for execution in consultation with the Neighborhood Services Supervisor.
• Complies with the City’s and Federal record retention requirements and maintains consistent, well-organized sub-grantee and grant project files.
• Completes risk assessments and performs on-site and desk audits of all contracts between the City and sub-recipients to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions outlined in the City's contract and with applicable HUD rules and regulations, other federal guidelines, and state regulations. Recommends corrective action as necessary.
• Conducts financial reviews of all reimbursement requests from subrecipients to assure all requirements, contract terms, and conditions have been met. Coordinates the preparation and processing of payment vouchers according to established policies.
• Provides technical assistance to subrecipients in collaboration with the Neighborhood Services Supervisor.
• Educates and collaborates with other City departments (i.e., Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments) who complete Public Facility Projects to maintain proper project documentation for all wage and labor and procurement requirements, including but not limited to: Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), Davis-Bacon, and Section 3. Under the guidance of the Neighborhood Services Supervisor, conduct site visits and wage interviews as needed.

Other General Duties 

• Assists residents by phone or in person to connect to resources and programs offered by CDBG subrecipients
• Participates in financial audits by the City's external auditors of the CDBG program. Coordinates with the Neighborhood Services Supervisor to provide requested information promptly and make available all files and documents requested by the auditors.
• Assists Neighborhood Services Supervisor occasionally with managing non-CDBG grant programs, including programs funded by the City’s General Fund.
• Conducts special projects and assignments for the Planning and Development Services Department and other management staff by providing technical and professional assistance, as needed.
• Represents the City of Overland Park as a board member for the Johnson County (KS-505) Continuum of Care.
• The employee must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors and any other persons or organizations with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. Must attend evening meetings. Some evenings and weekends are required.
• The employee must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to attendance standards and work deadlines, beginning and ending assignments on time.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor's degree in community planning/development or public administration or a related field of study. or an equivalent combination of formal education and work experience is required.
• Must demonstrate satisfactory understanding of National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA) regulations by prior completion of an Environmental Review training by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or successful completion within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of a valid drivers' license.
• Two years' experience in grant finance and accounting. Two (2) years' experience with Community Development Block Grant Program and/or other HUD Community Planning and Development Program(s).
• Must demonstrate working knowledge of Federal OMB Uniform Guidance.

SKILLS: 

• Ability to organize and manage large amounts of information and instructions, showing attention to detail.
• Ability to apply basic mathematical and accounting concepts to performance applicable research and analysis. Analytical skills, including research skills, ability to interpret data, conceptualize, analyze information and write formal recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with citizens and others, to explain policies, procedures, and regulations and to answer questions.
• Working knowledge of computer software applications such as desktop publishing, spreadsheets and word processing.
• Project management skills.
• Working knowledge of public sector administration.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to read and comprehend complex written material.
• Ability to carry out assignments through oral and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy and professional judgement.
• Ability to train and guide others. Ability to recognize and protect confidential information.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to work independently, yet collaborate well with others, especially on mutual projects.
• Ability to cope with stress brought about by dealing with deadlines, controversial issues, and numerous competing interests.
• Ability to read and comprehend federal, state, and local policies and regulations. Ability to logically analyze and develop creative solutions.
• Ability to learn and understand various software applications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to reach, stand, bend, stoop, push and pull.
• Ability to make and receive phone calls. Hand and eye coordination adequate to input computer and typewriter.
• Ability to maneuver over rough terrain to perform occasional project site visits. Ability to drive a city passenger vehicle.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs. and transport 100 feet. Ability to push/pull up to 20 lbs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (Direct & Indirect):

• Indirect - Assigns environmental reviews to the Sustainability Programs Coordinator and evaluates reviews for successful completion.
• Indirect - May assign program management tasks to the Neighborhood Services Administrative Assistant, such as developing program files, templates, or reporting and tracking documents.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

No City residency requirement.

Must successfully pass a background check, drug screen, physical exam and essential functions test.

Normal Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Salary Range: Grade F $63,311.87 - $84,384.70/year

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Benefits: Full-time

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States and proof of eligibility must be provided if selected for hire.

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