Program Administration Officer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

NRHA’s Vision and Mission

At the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), we’re proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we’ve been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk.

NRHA is an award-winning public housing authority and is designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and has been especially effective in obtaining private investment partners to fund new neighborhoods; improving low-income public housing; planning and building mixed-income communities; and offering programs that support residents receiving rental assistance on their path to self-sufficiency. NRHA aims to create and apply meaningful housing and neighborhood development programs to serve all residents of Norfolk, Virginia.

Position Summary 

Responsible for assisting the Executive Officer in the management of the Authority’s housing and other supportive programs, as assigned. 

Performs administrative, managerial, and supervisory tasks involving the administration and operation of the daily activities of NRHA. 

Functions as an alternate liaison between the Authority and the Board of Commissioners (BOC), HUD, state, and local jurisdictions. 

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assists the Executive Officer in planning, developing, organizing, coordinating, directing, and implementing the Authority’s housing and other supportive programs, as assigned. Assists the Executive Officer in the preparation of information, reports, and recommendations for the NRHA BOC, based on the financial integrity of the Authority.

• Monitors the day-to-day financial activities of the following departments:

• Development / Community Services

• Public Housing 

• Non-ACC & LIHTC Properties

• Housing Choice Voucher

• Administration.

• Develops, plans, and implements internal policies, programs, goals, and objectives with the approval of the Executive Officer.

• Acts for the Executive Officer when the Executive Officer is absent, as assigned.

• In cooperation with the Executive Officer, formulates plans and procedures, establishes deadlines, creates complex reports, analyzes problems, and develops solutions.

• Assists in and coordinates the preparation and timely submission of NRHA’s grant applications, annual budgets, and monitors expenditures during the year.

• Maintains continuing surveillance of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, guidelines, codes, and ordinances pertaining to the Housing and other supportive programs.

• May be assigned by the Executive Officer to communicate with members of Congress, federal, state, and local governmental officials, resident organizations, community organizations, business firms, and new media regarding Authority goals, priorities, and concerns.

• Attends professional meetings, seminars, and conferences to keep abreast of new trends, activities, and concepts in affordable housing programs.

• Submits reports and statistics required by HUD, and as approved by the ED. Reviews and approves reports and documents required by federal, state, and local jurisdiction.

• Handles documents on a variety of general and technical topics of a highly confidential nature and assures the confidentiality of sensitive information pertaining to the Authority’s operations.

• Keeps the Executive Officer abreast of the financial operations of the assigned departments daily and submits reports as required.

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Executive Officer. 

Essential Functions 

This position requires expert knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards. Under the direct supervision of the ED, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will administer and advise, manage/coordinate, and oversee the Housing Authority's fiscal/financial management programs and activities.

This position requires expert knowledge of Public Housing, Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program, Tax Credits, Bond Financing, Capital Fund, and Mixed-Finance Development. 

Other Specific Functions:

• Plan, organize, and direct the daily management and administration of all aspects of the delivery and financial maintenance of the Authority's Housing and supportive programs.

• Strategize and orchestrate various organizational, program, and priorities.

• Supervise subordinate management, professional, administrative, clerical, and technical staff.

• Initiate discussions on new programs and determine initiation of funding proposals. 

• Assist in the development of strategies and direction of both the Authority and individual departments.

• Establish policy-appropriate staff levels in support of Authority goals and objectives; monitor and evaluate efficiency and effectiveness and allocate resources accordingly.

• Work closely with the Chief Administration Officer to access administrative, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvements; direct and implement change. Establish programs to correct deficiencies.

• Establish formal internal communication systems and methods to develop effective and timely interchange of ideas, information, suggestions, and recommendations to ED, department heads, and supervisors.

• Assist in the development of Authority policies and procedures implementing Federal, State, and local directives, as applicable. Procedures for department activities.

• Participate in staff selection. Responsible for assuring appropriate employee training, motivation, supervision, and evaluation. Recommend salary increases; take disciplinary action as necessary, and as authorized. Approve leave requests and timecards. 

• Maintain adequate monitoring and reporting systems to ensure the adequacy, quality, and timeliness of Authority work. Hold and conduct regular staff meetings, including the communication and training on Authority policies.

• Responsible for the development of the Authority's operational and CFP budget. 

• Ensure strict compliance of agency programs with Federal and State guidelines and regulations, researches and analyzes new Federal and State guidelines.

• Establish a variety of community contacts to effectuate dialog concerning public/private partnerships designed to stimulate the development of affordable housing and services needed to support such development.

• Respond to, explain, define, defend, and resolve issues pertaining to the Authorities' programs, policies, and activities. Negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues. Inform the ED promptly of necessary actions, problems, or requirements.

• Ensure compliance with CFP obligations and expenditure requirements, to include reporting of the same.

• Develop cooperating strategies among departments within the Authority and with regulatory and funding agencies, subject to the approval of the CEO.

• Review and approve expenditures as outlined in procurement policies.

• Submit reports and statistics required by HUD.

• Assist in the short- and long-term organizational planning.

• Prepare staff reports for the Board of Commissioners, as assigned.

• Make a presentation to the Board of Commissioners and other bodies. 

• Prepare resolutions for Commission review and approval.

• Maintain regular and consistent attendance.

• Serves as backup to all department heads.

• May represent the Authority at public meetings and conferences and attend meetings of housing-related professional groups.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred and/ or CPA- Public Administration, Business, Planning, Real Estate Development, Finance, or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years' executive-level experience working specifically at a Redevelopment and Housing Authority overseeing all areas, including Finance/Administration, Public Housing/Section 8 Administration, Property Management, Community Development, and Construction/real estate development.
• Demonstrated extensive (5+ years) experience supervising management staff and managing complex projects at an executive level at a redevelopment and housing authority. 

Special Requirements 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Subject to a background check and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must possess Certification in Project-Based Rental Assistance Management, or obtained within one year of hire.
• Must possess Certification in Section 8 Executive Management, or obtained within one year of hire.
• Must possess Certification in Tax Credit Property Management, or obtained within one year of hire.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of: Business laws and regulations applying to housing operations.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration. 
• Personnel practices, supervision, training, and administration. Public housing laws and agency rules. 
• Experience developing multi-family development projects. 
• Considerable knowledge of health, life, disability, workers’ compensation, supplemental insurance programs, and employee leave provisions. 
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of current personnel administration. 
• Considerable knowledge of FMLA, ADA, ERISA, FLSA, COBRA, and OSHA. Knowledge of the provisions and methods of application of personnel policies of the Housing Authority. 
• Considerable knowledge of modern procurement practices and ability to formulate and implement appropriate procurement policies, procedures, forms, and records. 
• Ability to: Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff in a manner conducive to a high level of organizational performance. Lead facilitation of team building and communication. Effectively select, train, supervise, and evaluate subordinates.
• Maintain confidentiality. Analyze and identify problems and recommend solutions to support Authority goals. Devise and implement innovative approaches to maximize organizational efficiency and responsiveness. 
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively both verbally and in writing. Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports. Prepare and administer large and complex budgets within established guidelines. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the work. Maintain a discriminating intellect that enables sound decision-making. 
• Operate a personal computer using various Windows- based applications. 

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, see, or hear. The employee may occasionally be required to stand or walk and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

NRHA will consider equivalent substitutes for education and/or experience, provided that the candidate can demonstrate that he/she has obtained the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the job.

NRHA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The compensation offer will be determined by the candidate's work history and skill set. Benefits include VRS retirement, medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-and short-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement options; public service loan forgiveness, and much more.

Those candidates who are selected for interview will be contacted directly by telephone. All other candidates will receive an email communication after the position is filled.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Housing Authority will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.