Cdbg-Cv Grants Analyst

The primary purpose of this CDBG-CV Grants Analyst role is to implement and administer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 (CDBG-CV) grant and associated projects. Grant projects encompass a wide range of activities all with a tieback to prevention, preparation, and response to coronavirus and its lingering impacts on Richland County, with a predominant focus on serving the low- to moderate-income (LMI) population.

Activities funded by the CDBG-CV grant may include public services, public facility improvements, and initiatives to address public health, affordable housing, and economic development needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This position is responsible for providing comprehensive grants administration support, working in close collaboration with the Division Manager to effectively manage multiple objectives and navigate complex timelines, to ensure the successful administration of technical programmatic and financial grant conditions. The CDBG-CV Analyst is expected to consistently provide professional and courteous technical assistance to clients and perform other related duties as necessary. The role operates within a structured framework of grantsmanship responsibilities, developing work methods based on established precedents. While the work is performed with a moderate level of autonomy, it is conducted under the direct supervision of the Community Development Division Manager.

This position is a temporary, two (2) year grant-funded position located at Richland County through funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development extending to December 2027.

ESSENTIAL TASKS

The following essential tasks represent the primary responsibilities and activities for this position.

GRANTS ADMINISTRATION

• Responsible for ensuring Richland County maximizes remaining CDBG-CV funds to prevent, prepare, or respond to COVID-19 and to mitigate lingering impacts of the pandemic on low- to moderate-income (LMI) individuals and communities in the County.
• Oversees and assists with the management of the CDBG-CV grant, including: conducting needs assessment public hearings and listening sessions with local stakeholders, developing projects and programs for investment, engaging the County Council's Coronavirus Ad-Hoc Committee, amending the action plan for the funds, monitoring existing CDBG-CV funded activities, ensuring full expenditure of funds by September 2027, reporting on accomplishments to HUD, and conducting grant closeout by December 2027.
• Maintains a comprehensive and current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and standards regarding the Community Development Block Grant and related HUD compliance requirements for project eligibility, environmental reviews, labor standards, financial management, monitoring, and reporting; maintains an awareness of funding methods, trends and changes in federal legislation; reads professional literature; and attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Conducts research and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on the LMI population of unincorporated Richland County; oversee the implementation of a surveying tool to better understand LMI needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Responsible for setting up activities and reporting on accomplishments inside of HUD's Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS); establish and maintain robust record-keeping system in compliance with grant retention guidelines; efficiently enter and retrieve data from diverse sources to streamline grant files and timelines.
• Foster interactions with various stakeholders to provide and obtain critical information for departmental and divisional operations, projects, programs, and clientele.
• Tasks require advanced proficiency with PC Windows-based operating systems and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel. The position will also work inside of software programs, including: WorkDay, Neighborly Software, IDIS, and other specialized systems utilized by the federal government for data collection and reporting. Management may assign additional tasks related to the technical aspects of grant administration as necessary.
• Provide administrative tasks, including: scheduling meetings and appointments for various meeting locations, maintaining calendars, screening and sorting daily mail, composing routine letters for supervisor's signature, typing memos and correspondence, etc.

GRANT APPLICATION ADMINISTRATION, PROJECT MANAGEMENT & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

• Assist Division Manager and CDBG Grants Analyst with project development for the CDBG-CV grant; help oversee projects through the full grant and project lifecycle: application, selection, contracting, implementation, disbursement of funds, reporting, monitoring, and close out.
• Responsible for overseeing the advertising of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and soliciting of project proposals from eligible entities. Projects funded may include public services, public facility improvements, and initiatives to address public health, affordable housing, and economic development needs.
• Assist with facilitation of grant application workshops and information sessions for interested applicants; provide ongoing Technical Assistance, verify eligibility requirements, and guide applicants on required forms and documentation.
• Evaluate and review funding requests from non-profit community service organizations, small businesses, microenterprises, and other entities seeking support for projects and programs. Identify disparities or deficiencies in grant applications based on HUD federal criteria, and present well-founded alternatives for effective resolution. Contribute significantly to the development and implementation of application systems and tracking databases, ensuring all deficiencies are promptly addressed.
• Establish strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure all grant-funded activities comply with stringent HUD guidelines and standards.
• Maintain and track data, updating spreadsheets for regular reports to County Council, Finance, Budget, and HUD, and relevant areas, demonstrating proficiency in data analysis, regulatory compliance, and systems integration maintaining the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

GRANT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING

• Ensure strict adherence to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) federal rules and regulations, applying all applicable 24 CFR Part 570 conditions and standard 2 CFR 200, Subpart F auditing conditions to programmatic compliance for project lifecycles for assigned work.
• Provide technical assistance, including grant monitoring onsite, virtually, or as required by departmental needs. Ensure all grant-funded projects tasked for completion by the Division Manager and HUD comply with local, state, and federal codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Oversee compliance with HUD CDBG and CDBG-CV grant requirements, including NEPA Environmental Reviews, Labor Requirements (i.e. Section 3, Davis-Bacon Act), Procurement, Coronavirus tieback, Legal and Contracting, and other FLSA-related components of projects, ensuring adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

PUBLIC SPEAKING, WORKSHOPS, AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Conduct public-facing workshops and educational programs, demonstrating strong public speaking skills to effectively communicate grant opportunities, compliance requirements, and program benefits to diverse audiences.
• Develop and disseminate comprehensive marketing materials to promote the Division's projects and funding opportunities, ensuring clarity and engagement across various media platforms.
• Coordinate and manage public relations activities, including delivering presentations, preparing public notices and press releases to inform and engage stakeholders about program requirements and activities, in collaboration with the Division Manager.
• Foster strong relationships with community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to enhance awareness and participation in grant-funded programs for vulnerable communities. Utilize technical expertise to create and deliver impactful educational content that supports the departmental expectations and enhances public understanding of HUD CDBG grant processes.
• Interact with various individuals and groups to provide and obtain information concerning the Division's operations, projects, and programs. Coordinate work activities with other divisions, departments, non-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, lending institutions, contractors, and the general public.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

• Provide advanced support to the public, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, flexibility, and a deep understanding of departmental and division operations and expectations for all grant projects, programs, and customers.
• Assist the public in retrieving recorded information by researching department files, databases, electronic sources, and other materials, ensuring that information is only released with proper verification.
• Receive and respond to employee and public inquiries, concerns, and requests for assistance in areas of responsibility as required.

RELEASE OF RECORDS

• Release records to authorized individuals in accordance with established guidelines, ensuring sound judgment and thorough verification of all eligibility criteria before any information is disclosed.

MEETINGS

• Must actively attend and participate in all required meetings, training events, workshops, seminars, and other relevant activities mandated by the Grants Department to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Some training/meetings may require in or out of state travel, and be held after normal working hours and/or on weekends.

OTHER DUTIES

• Assist in the preparation of materials and content for all Community Development Reports and Plans, including: briefings and reports for County Council and Administration, the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), Annual Action Plan (AAP), and Five-Year Consolidated Plan (Con Plan).
• Prepare for and attend program-monitoring visits conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
• Perform duties as assigned by the Community Development Division Manager or other superiors to support the overall mission and objectives of the Community Development Division and Grants & Community Outreach Department.

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• A Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, policy, grant writing, community and/or economic development, organizational leadership or related field from an accredited institution.
• Four years of experience in program coordination/management, ideally in a community-based setting funded by local, federal, or state grants.

Ideal candidate would have experience with contract management, project management, community development, organizational management, economic development, OR an equivalent year-for-year combination of education and experience in a related field.

• Strong project management and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret and present data.
• Knowledge of issues impacting low- to moderate-income populations and special needs groups including: adults with disabilities, senior citizens, homeless individuals, those living with HIV/AIDS, and abused or neglected women and children.

PREFERRED:

• Experience in CDBG grant management, administration, and compliance.
• Master in Public Administration (MPA) or working towards it.

Compensation Minimum: $51,426.53