COMMUNITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV

Job Description:

COMMUNITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV

Description

DESCRIPTION

The City of Long Beach, Department of Health and Human Services is recruiting for one (1) unclassified, at-will, full-time Community Program Specialist IV (CPS IV) in the Homeless Services Bureau. Reporting to the Homeless Services Administrative Division’s Program Administrator (CPS V), The CPS IV will work in partnership with contracted permanent supportive housing agencies to permanently house people experiencing homelessness and provide services to both housed and unhoused individuals. The CPS IV will be responsible for providing analytical support, program development (program design and implementation), and program management (program guidance, and the coordination of appropriate programmatic support) for Bureau-funded components of the Coordinated Entry System, ensuring that all City funded programs are being administered effectively, efficiently, and ethically.

The CPS IV possesses extensive experience and expertise in permanent supportive housing (PSH) and programs tailored to individuals affected by homelessness. They are skilled in developing solutions, providing technical assistance and training, and adapting to changes to meet the needs of this population. This position plays a key role planning, administering, implementing, and monitoring the Bureau’s Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) and rental subsidy programs within permanent supportive housing (PSH) projects and homeless initiatives, particularly for individuals with complex health or behavioral health conditions, high utilizers of public services, and other vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities of the CPS IV include overseeing program development and management of grant funds, including supporting in the development of funding requests and recommendations; drafting and scoring of requests for proposals; supporting the development and execution of statements of work and memoranda of understanding; quality assurance; data monitoring; technical assistance to enhance service delivery and documentation; as well as performance management and contract and grant management. Key tasks of analytical support include, but are not limited to: tracking contractor documentation, analyzing data sets, developing visual aids, providing technical assistance, piloting new approaches, executing data reconciliation projects, preparing data reports, issuing formal notifications, participating in meetings as subject matter experts, managing program expenditures, drafting statements of work, developing and monitoring performance targets, as well as actively managing funder agreements and subrecipient contracts.

This position will be located at the HSB administrative offices, located at 1500 Hughes Way, Suite C-300 Long Beach, CA 90810. Please note this position offers a hybrid schedule upon successful completion of the probationary period per the City of Long Beach Hybrid Work policy.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Assists in the design and implementation and day-to-day operations of Permanent Supportive Housing. Prepares project reports including service utilization, performance data, and program outcomes.
• Identifies, analyzes, and addresses program gaps and needs throughout the Long Beach Continuum of Care and Long Beach Coordinated Entry System; works to align system goals, opportunities, resources, and address barriers to program and system-level success. Develops visual aides, such as charts, graphs, and dashboards, to effectively communicate data findings to internal and external parties.
• Create and release data-informed guidance and provide technical assistance related to the release of new Homeless Services programming for ICMS and PSH.
• Successfully interprets and implements regulations, statutes, policies and guidance from State (California Department of Housing and Community Development) and Federal (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) funders of housing and housing subsidy.
• Successfully coordinates, partners, and liaises with City of Long Beach Housing Authority as well as Community Development Department to identify, develop, coordinate, arrange, and align housing and housing subsidies for people experiencing homelessness.
• Assists in the development of program standards, instructional guides, Statements of Work, and/or other contract and regulatory documents for new and existing PSH programs that will provide a deeper understanding of programs, essential core components, and any funding regulations.
• Successfully coordinates, partners, and liaises with City of Long Beach Housing Authority, City of Long Beach Coordinated Entry System and Continuum of Care to develop, implement, evaluate, and monitor policies regarding access to, as well as prioritization and matching of permanent housing resources.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with funders, stakeholders, partnering agencies, and service providers in the development, evaluation, and enhancement of PSH programming.
• Conducts contract monitoring activities including annual administrative and programmatic file reviews.
• Support development of cost eligibility matrices for housing subsidy programs, as well as subrecipient budget and invoice templates to support the streamlining and standardization of grant-funded PSH and ICMS projects.
• Monitors performance metrics and outcomes to assess the effectiveness of services provided by contractors and identify areas for enhancement.
• Conducts quality assurance activities to ensure adherence to contract, grant, policy, and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with requests for approvals for tenancy support services.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, grant requirements, and state or federal regulations.
• Review invoices and program expenditures, ensuring that spending aligns with allocated budgets and allowable costs.
• Developing and reviewing budgets for various initiatives and ensuring financial stability of PSH programs.
• Provides guidance and technical assistance to community-based organizations regarding new programs, tools, and documentation.
• Coordinates and facilitates learning community platforms that will identify challenges and share best practices across agencies.
• Represents the Bureau at community stakeholder events to educate community on administrative and programmatic efforts within the City of Long Beach.
• Drive to various subrecipient sites and housing sites to conduct regular assessments and provide ongoing training and technical assistance support to subrecipients.
• May supervise subordinate staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, or a closely related field. (proof required*).

• Professional experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position beyond the minimum requirement outlined below may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of full-time professional experience providing grant administrative support or grant management in a human or social services program .

• Master’s or professional-level degrees in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of required experience. (proof required*)
  
  

Valid motor vehicle operator license to perform the duties of the position.

• Required to obtain a California motor vehicle operator license within 6 months if out of state. DMV K4 driver license information report printout required during onboarding for California residents.
  

Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and evenings.

ABILITY TO:

• Learn, interpret, retain, and communicate technical and complex information, terminology, policies and procedures related to grant programs and compliance.
• Research and analyze data using a systematic and logical approach.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions and procedures.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Work independently and/or as part of a team.
• Work effectively with a wide variety of people by consistently exercising tact, good judgment and a pro-active, problem-solving focused communication style.
• Operate office equipment including computers, printers and copiers as well as the word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, database and program specific applications.
• Type and enter data accurately.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• 2 years of experience providing supportive services (case management, clinical support) to diverse populations experiencing crisis.
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Bilingual skills (Khmer, Spanish, Tagalog, and/or Vietnamese).
• Familiarity with HUD guidance and other federal, state, and local laws related to low-income housing and public housing authorities.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM PST, on Monday, February 10, 2025. To be considered, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and of proof of education in PDF format. Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate may be required to go through a background check and a physical examination prior to appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please call (562)570-7165.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our work force reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .

The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Unclassified Applicant Appeal Process by visiting the Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov).

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7165.

For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.

Employee Benefits

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

• Medical and Dental Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Retirement Plan (P.E.R.S.)

• Paid Vacation, Personal Holidays and Sick Leave

• Deferred Compensation

• Credit Union Membership

• Free Bus Transportation (Long Beach Transit)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Free Employee Parking
• Paid Parental Leave*
*Paid Parental Leave - after six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours/192 hours for sworn platoon) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

Closing Date/Time: 2/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$38.01 - $51.67 Hourly