Homeownership Programs Specialist Description

About Marin Housing Authority / Careers

Revised and Retitled October 1999

Revised: March 2005

Definition

Under general direction, implements and manages the residential rehabilitation and home ownership programs for the Marin Housing Authority including the Residential Loan Program, Below Market Rate Home Ownership Program and the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program; provides technical and professional assistance to participants and local agencies in regards to housing rehabilitation loan and first-time buyer processes; serves as the field representative for these programs performing inspections of residential properties including providing assessment of property conditions; prepares construction and cost estimate documents and coordinates construction projects; and performs related work as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from the Director of Housing Rehabilitation and Development and provides lead direction to administrative support staff and project oversight to contractors.

Class Characteristics

This is the single position professional class that oversees and coordinates the Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program, Below Market Rate Home Ownership and Mortgage Credit Certificate programs for first time home buyers and other program participants. The incumbent works independently demonstrating considerable knowledge in construction, inspection, cost estimation, contract administration, real estate and construction lending practices. This position requires considerable initiative and independent judgment in its responsibility for the daily administration and coordination of multiple rehabilitation and real estate purchasing programs.

Example of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Performs on-site inspection tasks and related work within the Below Market Rate (BMR) Home Ownership Program and Mortgage Credit Certificate Program including advising and counseling participants on real estate issues.
• Inspects properties to be sold through the Below Market Rate program and reviews financial documents and processes that will utilize the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program to ensure program guidelines are met.
• Prepares real property purchase contracts and coordinates the sale with seller, buyer and lender, including providing information and referrals regarding a mortgage credit certificate.
• Monitors and supervises contractors, administers related contracts and ensures that work is completed within the written specifications; authorizes invoices for payment as specified in the contracts.
• Performs inspections and determines corrections and capital improvements needed; detects deviations from approved plans, specifications substandard building and construction materials and work.
• Calculates sales price per BMR agreement, negotiates agreement with seller, prepares schedule and brochure and conducts lottery for the purchase of new and re-sale units under the BMR Program.
• Interviews and screens applicants for eligibility and qualifying for financing; reviews financial data, explains related program’s regulations and gathers required documents and signatures; maintains related databases as needed and produces required reports.
• Acts as liaison with lending institutions for participants; reviews Title reports and HOA disclosures on sales; answers follow-up questions and prepares disclosure packets for home buyers.
• Prepares and oversees sales contract signature procedures; sets up escrow with Title companies as required.
• Coordinates and manages the Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program including screening applicants, providing information on program regulations, assisting in application process, and ensuring regulations are met and related guidelines are followed.
• Prepares loan documents and work write-ups for current and on-going rehabilitation projects.
• Performs home visits, inspects properties, and makes assessments of repairs and construction needs; meets with contractors to acquire estimates and determine job priorities.
• Prepares reports for Loan Committee approval including applicant’s financial and personal data and supporting lending institute documentation for applicant’s loan.
• Prepares construction documents including work write-ups, plans and specifications necessary for the improvement of subject properties; estimates cost of rehabilitation of residential structures; provides technical assistance to homeowners in all phases of construction.
• Confers with architects, contractors, and building officials on methods of residential rehabilitation; oversees construction and monitors construction contracts to ensure the completeness and quality of work specified in the work write-ups including compliance inspections to authorize payments.
• Accepts or rejects construction work performed under Building Codes or the accepted practice of the industry.
• Provides technical assistance to participating cities as required for program implementation; serves as liaison to the loan committee and/or loan servicing agent; recommends program procedure revisions as necessary.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Practices, techniques, and methods of construction and repair, materials used in housing construction and rehabilitation.
• The provisions of the California Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical codes, Fire Safe Standards and related State and County codes and ordinances.
• State of California Construction Contractors licensure laws.
• Federal regulations, state and local laws, building codes and zoning laws applicable to rehabilitation.
• Real estate mechanics and lending practices, housing development and rehabilitation.
• Financial and real estate lending documents, lien and construction lending practices.
• Report writing and analysis and basic management and supervisory practices and techniques.

Skill in:

• Planning, coordinating, and administering housing and rehabilitation loan activities with a particular emphasis on ensuring their effective and efficient operation.
• Acting as a liaison for participants and applicants with lending institutions, local agencies, title companies, Housing Authority Loan Committee and related businesses.
• Solving a variety of complex financing, real estate sales, construction and lending problems related to rehabilitation loans, Mortgage Credit Certificate and Below Market Rate Home Loan processes.
• Collecting required financial and personal information, preparing loan applications, preparing real estate bid documents, loan documents, and developing and presenting related reports in support of new and on-going home rehabilitation projects and first-home buyer purchases and sales.
• Reading complex residential, commercial or industrial construction plans and specifications.
• Effectively and accurately interpreting building plans, contract documents, schematics, and specifications.
• Writing and speaking clearly and concisely for the purpose of instructions and reports.
• Overseeing and supervising the work of construction crews and contractors; developing contract documents, work write-ups, and related construction documents.
• Inspecting properties, providing cost estimates for repair and rehabilitation construction; preparing construction specifications and cost estimates; providing construction monitoring and ensuring contract compliance.
• Maintaining cooperative working relations with builders, contractors and the public and enforcing necessary regulations with firmness and tact.
• Operating standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, facsimile equipment and multi-line telephones.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
  

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university in the field of construction management, business administration or a related field and a minimum of three years of related experience in preparing construction plans and specifications and providing cost estimates or real estate sales and/or residential construction and/or rehabilitation projects within a public agency.

License:

Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Possession of a State of California General Contractor’s License is highly desirable.

Physical Demands:

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven, and slippery surfaces; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting properties and performing computer work. The need to lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing 25 pounds or more may also be required. Additionally, the incumbent works both in the field and in office environments, which may include exposure to inclement weather conditions including wet, hot and cold.

Marin Housing Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and for religious reasons.