11/04/2009 08294

REDEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE CAPITAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional and administrative work performing compliance, financial and performance reviews of grants, agreements, and contracts for economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) in the Governor’s Budget Office.

An employee is this job is responsible for assigned segments and complex components of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to facilitate the submission, review, development, implementation and coordination for the acquisition and construction of economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects. Work involves providing orientation and training to new consultants; monitoring and evaluating the work of contracted staff providing engineering consultation services to evaluate RACP applications and projects; developing and executing grants for approved projects; identifying and resolving a variety of project issues and threats; reviewing diverse work plans submitted by consultants to ensure accuracy, appropriateness and consistency with program requirements and standards; and providing technical guidance on program policies and procedures. Work also involves developing grant agreements; and facilitating project success through risk assessment, monitoring, and issue resolution; analyzing grantee payment requests and making reimbursement recommendations; and providing assistance to the audit closeout activities. Duties require significant communication with consultants, grantees and sub-grantees to ensure the resolution of a variety of project issues and to respond to questions regarding project status and program requirements. Consulting administration work at this level involves frequent and involved interactions with consultants. Project facilitation and payment analysis work at this level includes independent review of difficult and complex projects and payment requests and providing guidance and assistance to lower level specialists. Work is assigned on a project basis and performed independently using initiative and judgment. Supervision is provided by a RACP Administrator who reviews work through conferences and reports for quality, timeliness, soundness of recommendations and solutions, and overall effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides orientation and training to new consultants regarding duties and responsibilities.

Develops grant agreements, including special terms and conditions, based upon reviews of consultants’ funding application reports.

Reviews work plans submitted by consultants to ensure accuracy, appropriateness and consistency with requirements and expectations.

Travels to consultants’ headquarters to evaluate the performance of consultants in the field or to project sites to promote improved communications.

Devises and ensures the implementation of solutions to mitigate and resolve project threats.

Provides guidance and technical consultation to grantees and sub- grantees regarding program policies and requirements.

Reviews project files, payment requests and supporting documentation to determine matters pertinent to payment request review and analysis and makes payment recommendations.

Identifies issues and problems impacting payment approval and works with grantees and project facilitation staff to resolve matters.

Reviews and analyzes complex payment requests.

Provides assistance and guidance to lower level specialists.

Develops management reports to track and report on the status of consultant assignments and deliverables.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of community and economic development laws, regulations and policies.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of research principles and techniques.

Knowledge of project administration methods.

Ability to interpret and apply written materials, including laws, regulations and policies.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Specialist 1;

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Three years of professional experience in community or economic development, project management, urban planning, public finance or economics; and a bachelor's degree in community and economic development, public administration, business administration or related field;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional experience in community or economic development, project management, urban planning, public finance or economics.