Housing Specialist

JOB BULLETIN

***4/10 Work Schedule***

Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

City Hall is Closed every Friday

The City of Buena Park is looking for a Housing Specialist to join the Community and Economic Development Department Team!

First Review of Applications: Monday, September 1, 2025

The ideal Housing Specialist will have housing administration and front counter experience with some knowledge of fieldwork and the bidding process. This position reviews contractor work and serves as the liaison between the homeowner and the contractor.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs administrative and technical functions to assist in the administration of the City’s Home Improvement Program and other affordable housing programs; conducts housing and building inspections and provides property rehabilitation and loan processing to property owners; and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Housing Specialist performs office and field work activities related to all phases of a housing rehabilitation program or project, from income qualification through construction. Incumbents are responsible for assisting applicants through the application process, determining program eligibility, evaluating property eligibility, preparing work scopes, coordinating the bidding process with contractors and homeowners, reviewing cost estimates, managing project budgets, and monitoring the rehabilitation project through completion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

Reviews applications and gathers required documents to determine an applicant’s income and property eligibility to participate in the housing rehabilitation program and other affordable housing programs.
Prepares environmental review reports related to the housing unit.
Performs loan underwriting and prepares construction and loan documents along with other related program documents.
Ensures all contractors’ certifications are up to date with local, state, and federal requirements.
Maintains project files, records, and various program databases.
Meets with homeowners to ensure they have a clear understanding of the program and conducts home inspections to determine home improvement needs.
Prepares bid documents outlining the scope of work to be performed and discusses alternative methods of accomplishing repairs with clients and contractors.
Performs inspections, construction management, reviews building permits, monitors project budgets, and processes contractor progress payments during the rehabilitation of the housing unit.
Inspects the housing unit for final acceptance and payment ensuring that all repairs have been made in accordance with the scope of work, applicable codes, and construction standards.
Assists in the preparation of any necessary CDBG, HOME, CalHome, or other agency required documents and reports.
May perform other duties as assigned.


QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge of:

HUD income eligibility requirements; environmental review requirements; housing rehabilitation and construction material costs and methods; construction contracting law and procedures; lead paint hazards and controls; energy efficiency standards; effective techniques and methods of housing inspection to identify health and safety concerns; mortgage loans and rehabilitation finance practices; property deeds and trusts; mathematical and budgeting procedures; local building codes; effective customer service techniques.

Ability to:

Understand, interpret, and enforce program guidelines and HUD’s requirements related to income eligibility, environmental reviews, and housing rehabilitation standards; coordinate housing inspections, bid walks, pre-bid meetings, and contract signing with homeowners, contractors, and City staff; estimate material and labor costs; maintain program logs, databases, and records; respond to and resolve homeowner/contractor complaints or disputes related to the rehabilitation project; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, residents, contractors, and the general public.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
Whileperforming the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, and occasionally crawl in confined spaces. The employee climbs stairs and ladders to access rooftops and elevated inspection areas. The employee lifts and carries inspection tools, records, or electronic devices that typically weigh less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret blueprints, documents, and other types of information; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; interact with staff, management, homeowners, contractors, and the public, including situations involving interpersonal conflicts regarding code interpretations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee frequently works outdoors in conducting inspections and is exposed to variable weather conditions as well as heat, humidity, and moisture. The employee conducts inspections from elevated surfaces and in confined spaces. The employee is exposed to traffic, fumes, airborne particles, and the risk of shock during electrical inspections. The noise level is frequently loud at construction sites. Administrative and record keeping functions are typically completed within an office environment where the noise level is quiet or moderately quiet.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

Associate’s Degree or 60 semester units or the equivalent of college level coursework in Construction Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Sociology or a related field is required. Two years of experience in housing development, rehabilitation programs, and grant administration is required, preferably involving City housing programs. Additional relevant work experience may substitute for the educational requirement.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT

Oral Interviews:

Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr . Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will no be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans with Disabilities:

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting:

Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination:

Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.

Below is a list of key benefits offered to employees of the City of Buena Park and is only a summary of benefits. They are not intended to replace or modify the legal plan documents on file in the Human Resources Department.

SALARY RANGE: Composed of six (6) steps - Entry step through E step (Except management positions). Each step represents an increase of approximately five (5) percent.

RETIREMENT: Provided through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employee pays member contribution.

VACATION: Earned at the rate of ten (10) working days per year for the first five (5) years of service. Public safety employees receive a different but equivalent benefit. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated on the basis of eight (8) hours per month with no maximum accumulation.

HOLIDAYS:An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Several plans (indemnity and HMO's) are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according at bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.

VISION INSURANCE: One plan is available. The Employee pays the insurance premium and this benefit is voluntary.

LIFE INSURANCE: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. Premiums are fully paid by the City.

LONG TERM DISABILITY: Fully paid by the City. Police sworn personnel are not eligible.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to all City employees and their immediate families.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City offersone (1) plan administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.

WORK SCHEDULE:4/10 or 3/12 alternative work schedule depending upon the work location.

OC CREDIT UNION: Available to all City employees and their families.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: $100 per month, per child, is available to all Full-Time City employees with eligible dependents 0 - 5 years of age.

Closing Date/Time: 9/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Buena Park

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