Rural Housing Coordinator

Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP), founded in 1965, is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans. Our programs in housing, early childhood education, and health and well-being serve to alleviate the root causes of poverty. We deliver innovative, community-driven solutions in response to Alaska's most challenging needs while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities statewide. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors representing every region of the state, RurAL CAP is one of the largest and most diverse nonprofit organizations in Alaska.

Rural Housing Director: Full-Time Exempt. $62,000/yr
JOB SUMMARY:   Coordinates tasks related to RurAL CAP’s business development work partnering with internal leadership and external partners including Tribes and other entities to deliver the organizational strategic plan and mission advancement. Assists in recruiting and qualifying applicants for Rural Housing programs, packages loan and grant documents, and conducts financial literacy training and homeownership preparation education.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists Director of Rural Housing in coordination of loan and grant packaging and public outreach in Rural Alaska.
2. Counsels participants on goal-setting and credit repair in one-on-one settings. Makes referrals to other sources of consumer credit counseling and other appropriate assistance when necessary.
3. Identifies and fosters partnerships with community and tribal organizations who share an interest in financial literacy and homeownership.
4. Supports the Rural Housing team in technical assistance and the development of policies and practices. Manages related activities including overseeing logistical and administrative support for activities. This includes supporting logistics for organizational team members engaging in event planning, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery across the state often to rural and off the road system communities.
5. Identifies innovations, new technologies and tools and mission-oriented partnerships to advance the organization’s strategic initiatives in a manner congruent to the organization’s mission and commitment to poverty alleviation in Alaska.
6. Conducts planning and needs assessment with input from community leaders, service recipients, service staff, funding and partners, evaluators, and other rural service providers.  
7. Oversees the coordination of activities, including collaboration with partners, training and supervision of community-based workers, design of educational materials and training events.
8. Documents activities; manages the collection of information and prepares reports to meet reporting requirements; coordinates evaluation activities and RurAL CAP reporting requirements, including board reports and other funding source reports.
9. Manages the production and distribution of technical information, periodic website updates and electronic newsletters, and other materials; works with community leaders, team staff and funding sources to publicize and promote activities and accomplishments.
10. Creates and maintains effective communication links with funding sources; builds bridges for positive communication within the Rural Housing team and other agency staff; fosters strong communication and teamwork among internal and external partners; communicates with service recipients with cross-cultural sensitivity and respect.
11. Participates in Rural Housing team meetings; strategic planning meetings; and other agency planning and administrative committees, as requested.
12. Fosters team-building and role models respect for people in all internal and external engagements.
13. Ensures staff and program participants are in compliance with policies, procedures and regulations. 
14. Performs other duties to support the organization. 

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to utilize relevant software and development tools within the organization and identify additional enterprise solutions in partnership with internal staff.
2. Ability to read, comprehend, and follow established policies and procedures and to develop new policies and procedures as identified.
3. Ability to manage work time well, prioritize and meet deadlines in ambiguous and fast paced environments with multiple stakeholders.
4. Ability to exercise good judgment, courtesy and tact in varied environments with diverse stakeholders.
5. Ability to establish good rapport with people of diverse cultures and belief systems.
6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment across a large organization.
7. Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/JOB CONDITIONS:

1. Agency is a mandated tobacco, drug and alcohol-free workplace.
2. Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
3. Uses computers and computer programs effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and process information, and to develop documents, and program and training materials.
4. Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
5. Communicates with others outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail in keeping with current policies & procedures.
6. Must have the ability to operate the following equipment: desktop computer, telephone, copier, PC printer, and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to grasp, type, see, talk, hear, and lift and carry 40 pounds of weight by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner. This position will also be performing physical activities such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, bending, and handling materials. 
2. Occasionally performs sedentary activities that require sitting for long periods and repetitive use of hands, wrists and arms for handling, positioning, moving materials, and manipulating things. 
3. Must be in good general health and free from serious physical, mental health and/or substance abuse problems.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or hours vary with location. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL:
Primarily local during the business day, although considerable out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected, including travel to rural Alaska.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age.
2. State and federal background checks, including fingerprints, may be required.
3. BA plus three years, or seven years related professional experience in mortgage loan packaging, program management, rural community development, or related fields.
4. Working knowledge of rural Alaska; ability to travel, as needed, to rural program sites.
5. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
6. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills including strong expertise in cross-cultural communication.
7. Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
8. Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignment with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
9. Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
10. Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations. 
11. Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.
12. Must have a valid driver’s License and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout the course of employment. Must provide a copy of current driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles annually.
13. Must have an insured vehicle, present proof of insurance, and maintain proof of insurance throughout the course of employment.
14. Agency recommends annual TB screening and physical as part of employee’s personal wellness plan. (Recommendation – Not a requirement of this position)
15. Ability to counsel and motivate clients to improve credit ratings to move toward homeownership.
16. Technical experience organizing and facilitating public meetings and events, recruiting program participants, and coordination with all affected or interested parties.
17. Demonstrated ability to train, assist, and supervise lower range staff in their daily tasks and routines.
18. Experience in training adult learners from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.
19. Ability to become a HUD certified housing counselor within 12 months of employment.
20. Ability to become a USDA Rural Development 502 certified mortgage loan packager within 6 months of employment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Licensure through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.
2. 502 USDA Rural Development Certified Packager.
3. Certified HUD Housing Counselor
4. Prior experience with the administration of a USDA 523/502 self-help housing program or similar sweat-equity program.
5. Commitment to the empowerment of rural, low-income, and disabled persons.
6. Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access for Windows, desktop publishing.
7. Professional experience in rural Alaska or with organizations that delivered services in rural Alaska.
8. Professional experience in corporate and for-profit organizations.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT (EEO)
RurAL CAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by the federal, state and local laws and regulations. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are subject to certain federal recordkeeping/reporting requirements. In order to comply, we will request information from you regarding ethnicity, race, veteran status, and disability status. Agreeing or refusing to provide this information is completely voluntary, will not adversely impact your possible employment, and will only be considered as part of your application upon your request in compliance with our Affirmative Action Plan.


BENEFITS: 
As a full-time, regular employee, you will be eligible to participate in our competitive  benefits programs on the first day of the month after your 60th day of employment, including but not limited to:

1. Medical, Dental & Vision  
2. Life & Supplemental Insurance
3. 401K/Pension Plan
4. Flexible Spending Account/Health & Dependent Care
5. Health Savings Account
6. Employee Assistance Program
7. 20 days (160 hours) of accrued Paid Time Off
8. 12 Established paid holidays
9. Monthly Wellness Reimbursement