3E52
PAY RANGE: EP21
ECONOMIC/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MONITOR
(Commerce)
(Housing and Community Development)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is economic development work at the advanced performance level, planning, analyzing and developing a major phase of an area economic or housing and community development program. An employee in this class develops projects, prepares applications for project funding and reviews invoices and reports submitted by contractors and delegate agencies. The employee in the Commerce specialty serves as a lead worker for a staff engaged in provision of support services to businesses and business associations. The employee in the Housing and Community Development specialty is responsible for negotiation, preparation, monitoring and evaluation of contracts for economic or housing and community development projects and serves as an agent for the department in meeting with other City officials, City-related agency administrators and representatives of outside agencies to secure cooperation in the development of monitoring systems and the resolution of Community Development Block Grant or other federally fundable contract problems. Employees in this class are further differentiated from lower level classes by responsibility for administering complex projects and for providing technical support and review of contracts, grant applications and other documents prepared by other employees and by department managers. Contact with other governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and the private business sector or non-profit organizations/community groups is of major significance to the work. The employees are supervised by a technical superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Reviews proposals requesting funding of economic or housing and community development projects; conduct financial feasibility analysis of project proposals; evaluates potential for revitalization of business or housing in targeted areas; estimates governmental fundability for housing and community development projects or government and private funding which can be generated for economic development projects; determines if projects are appropriate for targeted areas and departmental mission and initiatives.
Prepares descriptions of economic or housing and community development project objectives, financing schedules, and estimates impact on target areas; prepares applications; reviews applications; reviews applications for funding prepared by developers or delegate agencies; provides background information on projects for reviewing officials of city, state and federal governments.
Negotiates and prepares program budgets for contracts and agreements with other city agencies, quasi-city agencies and subrecipient contractors; evaluates and approves or disapproves variances on line items from those amounts specified in approved program proposals; discusses proposed changes in total amounts with a technical superior.
Ensures the preparation of support documentation files for review and compliance with city, state and federal agencies; prepares monthly and annual reports as required by city, state and federal agencies.
Performs related work as required.
Develops economic development projects and strategies designed to revitalize business and industry in targeted lower and moderate income areas of the city; develops plans for utilization of vacant buildings and land sites; develops plans to renovate existing industry in targeted areas so that lower and moderate income jobs can be retained; determines governmental and private sources of funding for projects; notifies quasi-governmental agencies and private developers of economic development program funding available for use in targeted areas.
Serves as a lead worker for a small staff engaged in the provision of a variety of support services to business and business associations; assists in development and administration of area support to business in application for government funding and in preparation and submission of reports to funding agencies; directs the monitoring and analysis of projects; reviews work of subordinates; provides advice and direction.
Monitors contracted development and rehabilitation work in targeted areas; conducts inspections of projects to insure compliance with contract provisions; reviews reports submitted by delegate agencies and private developers; utilizes the Uniform Program Management System.
Prepares scope of services and budgetary statements to be incorporated in final contracts funded by Community Development Block Grants, State Department of Community Affairs Enterprise Zone monies, and other city, state, federal and private funds; reviews and verifies expenditures under contract terms for reimbursement; contacts other agencies, city housing officials, departmental officials and the private business sector to ensure cooperation in the implementation of programs and projects; monitors systems and the resolution of contract problems; directs the initial review of invoices for expenditures under contracts for both budgetary control and conformance with program intent; certifies payment for expenditures; forwards payment requests for fiscal office and responds to contractor inquiries concerning payment; coordinates and negotiates amendments to contracts.
Performs consultative services in area economic development program planning and development for private business concerns; develops criteria for evaluating efficiency of private firms in targeted areas; informs businesses in targeted areas of available city services; resolves disputes between businesses and city agencies; evaluates city services being provided and recommends improvements or expansion of services that could promote business activity in targeted areas; arranges provision of city services in targeted areas; meets with neighborhood organizations, businesses, community groups and individual residents in targeted areas to discuss projects, gain community support and elicit suggestions; encourages cooperation between area businesses, organizations and residents.
Prepares scope of services and budgetary statements to be incorporated in final contracts funded by Community Development Block Grants, Department of Housing and Urban Development or other city, state, federal funds according to funding guidelines; reviews and verifies expenditures under contract terms for reimbursement; contacts other agencies, city housing officials, departmental officials or non-profit organizations/community groups to ensure cooperation in the implementation of programs and projects; monitors systems and the resolution of contract problems; develops, negotiates, and prepares scope of service statements for contracts and agreements recommended for funding; discusses contract terms with agency directors, legal representatives, and fiscal administrators of contracting agencies; delineates administrative and program breakdowns, production goals and units, and time frames; ensures that scopes of services are realistic and conform with approved program proposals; develops and incorporates designs for systematic reporting and monitoring of contact progress; discuss wording and format of contracts with legal staff to clarify terms and conditions.
Directs the initial review of invoices for expenditures under contracts for both budgetary control and conformance with program intent; certifies payment for expenditures; forwards payment requests for fiscal office and responds to contractor inquiries concerning payment; coordinates and negotiates amendments to contracts.
Conducts financial and program on-site reviews of funded programs to ensure compliance with contract stipulations and federal, state and city regulations; prepares detailed narrative report on findings; conducts follow-up reviews on non-compliance findings to ensure that corrective actions are taken.
Ensures consumers receive satisfactory services from providers by responding to client concerns/complaints; responds daily to provider inquiries regarding difficult client situations including but not limited to client terminations, other homeless housing resource availability, appropriate unit size for families, changes regarding current housing application and referral process; analyzes and makes recommendations on appropriate assistance for homeless/over-extended persons/families living with HIV/AIDS; negotiates client transfer requests and appeals.
Prepares weekly review of the Philadelphia Foreclosure court list for the Mortgage Diversion Foreclosure Program; attends Court to link Philadelphia residents with CDBG funded Housing Counseling Agency; addresses problems with residents regarding housing resources in Court.
Uses the City’s Automated Contract Information System (ACIS), the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) and Case Management Data System (CMAX) to manage, monitor and report on funding and outcomes for contracts.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles and practices of contract development, negotiation, administration, and control as they relate to economic and community development projects for the both specialties
• the principles, practices and techniques involved developing business organizations and providing support services to business and business associations in targeted areas for the Commerce specialty
• the principles and methods used in revitalizing private industry in economically-depressed urban areas for the Commerce specialty
• principles and methods used in the physical renovation of economically-depressed areas
• city, state and federal regulations as they pertain to contract preparation and administration of Community Development Block Grant and Enterprise Zone programs
• Uniform Program Management System for the Commerce specialty only
• the physical, social and economic structure of programs in the area of specialization
• the funding source rules, regulations and guidelines in the application and administration of commercial, industrial and area improvement projects
• the principles of economics and the techniques of economic analysis for the Commerce specialty only
• legislation regulating area economic development or housing and community development activities
• project planning methods and techniques
ABILITY TO:
• direct the activities of subordinates for the Commerce specialty
• analyze complex problems and reach sound conclusions
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, civic, community and business groups and the general public
• present ideas effectively in oral and written form
• prepare detailed reports indicating findings and recommendations
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/17.)
COMMERCE SPECIALTY
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in economics, public administration, urban studies or a closely related field.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Three years of experience in economic development project planning or monitoring, one year of which shall have been at the full performance level.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALTY
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Three years of contract and program compliance experience with responsibility for planning, evaluating, and monitoring housing and community development programs and control systems for federally funded housing programs, one year of which shall have been at the full performance level.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which includes a bachelor’s degree.
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Housing and Community Development Specialty only
Social Service/Housing Program Analyst (5A80) positions located in the Department of Planning and Development
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Class Established 5/82
Spec. Revision 10/87
Change in Class Title
CSC - 2/96
Ad. Board - 5/96
Latest Spec. Revision
CSC – 5/17
Ad. Board – 6/17
CP