Housing Project Specialist

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? We’re seeking a detail-oriented and people-focused Housing Project Specialist to join our Environmental Health and Preparedness division. This role supports our federally funded housing repair grants and provides vital administrative support to the division. As the front-facing contact for families in the housing repair programs, you’ll guide applicants through the enrollment process, audit required documentation, determine program eligibility, and communicate regularly with enrollees. You’ll also be responsible for preparing bid packets, assisting with lien recording, tracking project data, and keeping program databases up to date. In addition to grant work, this position provides broader administrative support across the division. This includes processing environmental health licenses and permits, preparing invoices, maintaining records, assisting with data tracking, and covering the front reception desk.

The primary focus of this position is to support the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and the Healthy Homes Production Grant, both funded by the U.S. Office of Housing & Urban Development. This position is supported by grant funding and is contingent upon the continued availability of funds. If the grant funding is reduced or discontinued before the anticipated end date, employment may be terminated. Continuation of this role beyond the funding period is not guaranteed and will depend on future funding availability.

We’re looking for a motivated, team-oriented self-starter who is confident in standard office practices like filing, scheduling, and customer service, and who communicates clearly and professionally. You should be comfortable using computers for data entry, performing basic math accurately, and following detailed procedures. If you're someone who enjoys helping people and wants to be part of a team working to improve health in our community, we encourage you to apply.

Job Description

Environmental Health & Preparedness Division

Reports To: Environmental Health & Preparedness Manager

Division Manager:  Jodi Willemsen

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, Full Time – 40 hours per week

Expected Work Week:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Definition:

The Housing Project Specialist will work within the Environmental Health and Preparedness division to support multiple federally funded housing repair grants and provide other administrative support for this division. This position will be the front-facing position with families to process program applications, audit documentation, determine program eligibility, correspond with enrollees, create bid packets, maintain the lead-safe housing registry, assist with lien recording, track data, and update various databases. This position is supported by grant funding and is contingent upon the continued availability of funds. If the grant funding is reduced or discontinued before the anticipated end date, employment may be terminated. Continuation of this role beyond the funding period is not guaranteed and will depend on future funding availability.

Duties to Include:

Under the general supervision of the Environmental Health & Preparedness Manager, the Housing Project Specialist performs the following essential functions within the framework of CG Public Health’s provision of core functions and essential services:

Responsibilities:

Work with individuals and families to determine eligibility for the program for income-based qualifications, age of home, age of children, etc.

• Intake and review applications for completeness and required documentation


• Follow up with individuals to gain the required documentation; sometimes this means visiting homes


• Ensure accuracy of documentation & verify eligibility


• Enroll eligible individuals/families in the program


• Connect families to agencies to assist with needed resources

Schedule program activities:

• Schedule lead testing for appropriate children; follow up to ensure the family and program manager receive results


• Schedule home inspections for CG Public Health inspectors


• Schedule contractors as needed


• Coordinate client relocation with contracted hotels and process stipends


• Maintain contracts with hotels for client relocation

Coordinate housing rehabilitation work

• Develop bid packets & distribute these to contractors


• Develop pre-construction documents


• Assist with the release of lien and mortgage documentation for properties

Complete administrative work

• Receive and direct incoming program phone calls


• Distribute & collect customer satisfaction surveys


• Ensure all documentation is complete in enrollee and/or home files


• Create and enter required reports, inspections and activities in designated locations


• Maintain program spreadsheets and databases


• Manage equipment and supply inventories for program


• Maintain Lead Safe Housing registry


• Track invoices for program to include those for relocation, stipends, contractor work, etc.


• All other clerical duties as assigned

Work with the housing team to ensure program success

• Provide general support for program and team activities


• Be the hub for communication among the team members as needed


• Take notes at team meetings and disseminate


• Update electronic and/or paper tracking of home progress


• Provide general support where needed with the team


• Attend outreach events and assist with marketing activities

Assist with overall division administrative or office duties

• Manage correspondence, such as emails, phone calls, and letters, for the division


• Organize and maintain files, records, and databases


• Assist with budgeting, invoicing, and expense reporting


• Prepare and distribute permits, licenses, and invoices in assigned systems for programs such as retail food, pool and spa, wells, septic, etc.


• Serve as alternate coverage for the front reception desk, greeting clients, screening calls, connecting them to appropriate programs and/or staff, and assisting with clinic client intakes

Sustain an effective knowledge of the department’s public health preparedness and response plan.

• Review appropriate plans & train for emergency response roles(s).


• In times of response, fully participate in all assigned roles to respond to health emergencies.


• Assist with reporting and documenting emergency response activities.


• Assist in the public health call center as needed during emergency situations.


• Assist with review and timely updates to the All-Hazards Emergency Response Plan.


• Participates in emergency preparedness trainings and exercises.

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

An associate degree in a related field with at least three (3) years of relevant work experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Experience may be substituted for education.

Public health core competencies are the central knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the public health workforce to practice effectively and achieve the core functions of public health. Core competencies required for this position: Communication skills, cultural competency skills, analytical/assessment skills, and systems thinking skills.

Public Health Preparedness:

Ability to gain knowledge of public health, EMS and hospital preparedness issues. Knowledge of the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System. Must achieve NIMS competency training compliancy. Employee will report to public health for emergency response as requested by the health director.

Training/Continuing Education Requirements:

• As approved by the Division Manager, must attend 8 contact hours annually of county-funded continuing education from an approved source.


• Completion of National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) trainings: IS-100, IS-200, & IS-700


• Bloodborne Pathogen and Tuberculosis Training.


• Depending on the role, occasional virtual or in-person Office of Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes training may be required.

Licensure Requirements:

None

Optional Licensure Incentives:

As approved by the Division Manager, an approved and applicable certification listed per the CG Public Health Employee Handbook or Manager’s Guide.

Physical Requirements:

Position involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Frequently reach with hands or arms. This position frequently involves reaching with hands or arms and occasionally involves stooping and kneeling. This position may exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) and/or exert a negligible amount of force frequently (from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This position will occasionally be required to carry or lift up to 35 pounds. This position will alternate between working indoors in a controlled climate and proper lighting, and in an outdoor environment with variable climate and lighting. Must be able to exchange and receive information over the telephone. Must be able to interact with all types of individuals, be mentally alert, detail-oriented, and with good reasoning skills. Specific vision abilities required include utilizing all types of visual acuity to accurately complete documents and forms necessary for the department (close, distance, depth, focus adjustment, peripheral, and color), and excellent manual dexterity for machine usage. 20/40 corrected vision for driving.

Special Requirements:

• Functional operation and use of application of computerized data management, word processing, and spreadsheet programs, including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook).


• Knowledge and ability to work with databases to track information and extract data for reports.


• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.


• Advanced writing, editing, and proofreading skills in creating correspondence and other materials.


• Operation of common office equipment, including a word processor and a personal computer, facsimile (FAX), photocopiers, printers, and scanners.


• Ability to perform diversified tasks effectively/efficiently.


• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.


• Be an excellent communicator and accepting of people of all backgrounds.


• Organized and skilled in tracking progress on individual projects.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.


• Able to work effectively with a team.


• Use remote meeting technology.


• Utilize phone and computer applications.


• Represent CG Public Health in a professional manner.


• Follow various policies such as completing time studies, adhere to HIPAA requirements, attending staff meetings, personnel policies etc.


• Respect the rights of persons visiting CG Public Health.

Environmental Adaptability:

The job will create occasional environmental exposure to wet or humid conditions (non-weather), work in high, precarious places, extreme cold or heat (non-weather), the possibility of explosions, and vibration. There will be frequent environmental exposure due to work near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions, steady and impulse noises of 85 decibels or greater, communicable disease, and human waste. Constant environmental potential exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. In addition, should a public health disaster arise, possible risks may also include exposure to biological agents, toxic gases, chemicals, radiological agents, and explosions.

Must have a valid Iowa Driver's License and have reliable transportation.  Must be insurable for driving under the county insurance company policies.

Applicant will be subject to post-offer, pre-employment drug and physical testing, CRT, reference checks, as well as a criminal background check.

Cerro Gordo County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  Cerro Gordo County is subject to and has adopted a policy in compliance with the 2008 Smokefree Air Act.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.