Choice Neighborhoods Project Manager

General Description

As a key leader in the Housing and Community Development Department’s Strategic Planning and Community Engagement (SPACE) Division, the Choice Neighborhoods Project Manager (PM) will coordinate and manage implementation of components of the City of Tucson Thrive in the ‘05 Transformation Plan including the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant (CNI) awarded to the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department in 2023 by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under HUD’s FY 2022 CNI competition.

The PM will manage and ensure coordination of Thrive in the ‘05 Transformation Plan-related activities focused on revitalizing the Tucson House, Tucson’s largest public housing development, and surrounding neighborhood revitalization area.  The PM will work in partnership with the full Choice Neighborhoods implementation team including the housing co-developer, various City departments, the City of Tucson Public Housing Authority, and a variety of education, recreation, wellness, and supportive services partners.

The PM will develop, implement, and monitor detailed work plans, budgets, reporting systems and communication protocols to ensure timely completion of Transformation Plan goals, adherence to budget, compliance with HUD and other regulatory agency requirements, and fulfillment of partner commitments. The PM will regularly communicate and collaborate with public housing residents, other neighborhood residents and community stakeholders, ensuring that the community is kept informed of project activities and facilitating an ongoing dialogue on Transformation Plan goals, objectives and strategies. 

This grant-funded position is estimated to last for a minimum of seven (7) years. 

Essential Functions

GRANT MANAGEMENT 

Develop, periodically update, and regularly monitor CNI grant and related Transformation Plan budgets (including leveraged funds).

Review and communicate budget documents with Principal Team members and provide regular reports on planned vs. actual budget performance, proactively identifying issues and challenges that may impact adherence to budget targets and/or completion of the work.

Coordinate communications with HUD as needed to secure necessary approvals for budget and workplan documents, including completing required HUD budget forms.

Prepare progress and other reports as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Proactively work to identify emerging issues of concern related to grant progress, regulatory compliance, funding availability, community engagement, partner relationships and other related areas. Communicate these concerns along with recommendations to address and resolve areas of concern to management.

Ensure timely and accurate responses to all HUD and other funding agency information requests.

Ensure compliance with HCD policies and procedures and with applicable federal, state and local statutes and regulations. 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT 

Develop, periodically update, and regularly monitor work plan(s) encompassing all tasks required to complete the CNI implementation plan.

Review and communicate work plan with Principal Team members, and provide regular work plan progress reports, proactively identifying issues and challenges that may impact deadlines.

Develop, implement, and monitor reporting systems to track project activities and outcomes including work plan and budget tasks noted above, as well as other supportive services, CCI and/or other Transformation Plan activities and outcomes.

Manage and coordinate other place-based initiatives as directed.

Lead team efforts related to the Transformation Plan including but not limited to affordable and mixed-income housing developments, Tucson House redevelopment, supportive service implementation, homeownership and housing preservation initiatives, neighborhood livability enhancements, façade improvements, health clinic development, and community food hub/accelerator development.

Manage CNI contracts and budgets, ensuring compliance with federal program requirements and local project objectives.

Support sustainability planning and resource development efforts, including through ongoing identification of potential partnerships and funding opportunities, and assisting with writing grant or project proposal.  

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT 

Prepare oral and written reports for various audiences including City leadership, the Public Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, community groups, Thrive in the ’05 neighborhood associations, and the public.

Convene meetings, prepare memoranda, and work collaboratively with CNI Implementation Team members to review and discuss project strategies; identify and resolve issues and challenges related to the work plan, budget, reporting systems and other related matters; develop joint financing strategies to implement and sustain the Transformation Plan goals; and provide an ongoing forum for information sharing.

Organize and coordinate community events, media activities and communications to promote awareness of project activities and objectives, solicit input on new and emerging issues and provide opportunities for community engagement and participation.

Engage Transformation Plan partners in ongoing planning and implementation efforts, including following up on leveraged commitments; identifying opportunities for new and/or enhanced programming in response to community needs; and, planning for joint initiatives to both realize Transformation Plan goals and to sustain progress beyond the term of the CNI grant.

Oversee, monitor, and lead sub-contractors and partners from the private, nonprofit and public sectors and support them in implementation of the CNI Plan programs and services.

Develop and sustain new working relationships with key partner organizations and social service providers with resources that can support programmatic goals.

Develop and leverage robust local partnerships to increase quality jobs, economic opportunity, business development opportunities, and community amenities within the transformation area, along with connections to the larger City and region.

Facilitate community building, leadership training and capacity building activities to strengthen and expand the ability of residents, community members and businesses, and local partners to contribute to neighborhood transformation. 

Oversee transparency and communication strategies including but not limited to website updates, media, town halls, community forums, and newsletters with the goal of promoting community awareness and participation in CNI activities. 

STAFF SUPERVISION 

Directly supervises project staff and volunteers/interns.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with City policies and applicable laws.

Acts as hiring manager for project staff and volunteers/interns, conducts interviews and pre-selection testing, as/if applicable.

Trains and orients project staff and volunteers/interns.

Evaluates project staff and volunteer/intern performance, provides coaching and supervision to support success.

Provides training and educational assistance to project staff and volunteer/interns to promote proficiency in work assignments and adherence to City policies and procedures.

Plans, assigns, and directs work of project staff and volunteers/interns.

Addresses employee concerns and resolves challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education Level & Type: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Experience Qualifications: At least 3 years managing complex projects and coordinating experts from different fields

Valid and Unrestricted Class D - Driver's License

*Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Public Administration, planning or related field is preferred. 

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs.

Proficiency in Project Management methodology and approaches, managing complex projects with multiple team members.

Strong public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills. 

Two (2) or more years of prior experience leading or supporting high-impact interventions in underserviced, racially ant ethnically diverse communities.

Strong budget and financial management skills. 

Fluent in spoken and written Spanish. 

Three (3) or more years experience managing large-scale federal grants and projects. 

Lived experience of housing instability and/or public housing residency. 

Section 3 workers (persons whose current gross income is $45,500 or less per year). 

Selection Plan

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES:

Applicants MUST attach a cover letter and resume to the application as part of a writing sample. The cover letter may not exceed two typed pages and will be scored as part of the process. 

As part of the online application process all applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume under the "Resume" tab. The system will allow you to upload one document so you will want to scan your resume as one document for uploading purposes. Resume's may also be sent via email to Jennifer.Trongard@tucsonaz.gov no later than the job closing date.  Please ensure your application contains the required cover letter and resume prior to submission. If submitting via email, please indicate "Choice Neighborhoods Project Manager Grant-Funded" in the subject line. Applications received without a resume will be considered incomplete.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile, the responses to their supplemental questions, and the writing sample. The highest combined scoring applicants will be invited to participate in an oral board interviews.

Oral Board interviews will be held in person for local residents and may be held virtually for out of town candidates.

**It is important to note that the City of Tucson uses Microsoft Teams to conduct virtual interviews.  If you are an out of town candidate that will be interviewing virtually, please ensure that you have access to this software application, as well as a working camera.

Oral Board Interviews will be held in-person and/or virtually for out of town candidates, if needed, via Microsoft Teams on January 4, 2024 and January 5, 2024 in person interviews will be held at 310 N. Commerce Park Loop, Tucson, AZ. 85745 at the Santa Rita Building.

Those applicants passing the interview process may be invited to participate in a hiring interview.

Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be placed on the Civil Service Employment list.  An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service list will be based on their final score which will be calculated as:

10% of your rating for training, education and work experience

20% of your rating for your writing sample (cover letter and resume). 

70% of your rating for your oral board interview.

This recruitment will establish a civil service list that will be utilized to fill vacancies in Housing & Community Development Department within the next 6 months.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must upload your documentation as part of the application process.  The DD214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service. If you are in need of the Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process, please contact Jennifer Trongard by email at Jennifer.Trongard@tucsonaz.gov at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation.

Pre-Employment Medical Testing Requirements

None

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To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.