Housing Preservation Specialist (COM 3)
State of Washington, Olympia, WA, United States
Overview
Housing Preservation Specialist (COM 3) at the Department of Commerce. The department focuses on innovation, community, and impact, supporting affordable housing and inclusive economic growth.
The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits, and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote self-sufficiency, and reduce homelessness. This position works within the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU) of HD and is responsible for tasks within the State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Housing Preservation Program (HPP), and the federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) programs. It is a technical specialist role in real estate development and finance, developing, negotiating, and managing terms for state and federally funded contracts that focus on affordable housing for low-income and special needs populations. The position updates and maintains Commerce databases to ensure accurate project data, establishes program priorities, and develops policies to create and preserve affordable units from award through the long-term period of performance.
Responsibilities
Program, Project and Contract Management – implement proviso programs per HTF budgets to meet legislative intent.
Participate in the MHU resource allocation process by providing technical assistance to applicants requesting HPP funds.
Review, analyze, and score project applications using the HPP Funder Application, HTF Handbook, Federal Guidebooks and NOFA guidelines to recommend investment of state funds.
Manage new awards in each funding round; process updates into the Commerce Contract Management Services (CMS) and Housing Contract Management Services (HCMS) databases and project files.
Review, analyze, and present for approval project scope, contract terms, financial structures for long-term sustainability, and key performance measures to the unit management team.
Coordinate with contracting specialists, clients, developers, and attorneys to ensure contracts meet approved terms.
Facilitate real estate closings, including ensuring escrow instructions, recording packages, closing funds, and project file documentation.
Coordinate with private and public financing partners and third-party consultants.
Troubleshoot and solve contract, construction, and project schedule issues, including financial renegotiations when necessary.
Monitor project scope to ensure alignment with funding requests, contract terms, and programmatic guidelines.
Ensure timely workflow and cross-team coordination within the unit and department according to HUB, manuals, and checklists.
Review and approve project and organizational data, capital needs assessments, and building improvements to align with guidelines and contract requirements.
Oversee collection, analysis, and submission of HPP program data in CMS and HCMS, ensuring compliance with state reporting standards.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop processes and policies aligned with HTF mission and vision.
Organization risk analysis and technical assistance
Participate in discussions on contract risk assessment, development, management, and monitoring. Provide recommendations to leadership on performance improvement plans to ensure compliance and limit agency risk.
Provide technical assistance to funding recipients for quality improvement purposes.
Conduct primary and follow-up reviews of subrecipient contracts using a fiscal monitoring tool; document significant entity processes and internal controls and report as required.
Apply best practices, quality improvement tools, and Lean practices to reduce fiscal monitoring issues through the contract lifecycle.
Follow up with contractors and staff to resolve non-compliance with federal and state rules regarding financial management.
Required Position Qualifications
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education in affordable housing, housing finance, real estate/lending, community, trade, or economic development with focus in two or more areas: Contract Management; Affordable Housing Asset Management; Project Management; understanding of multifamily/rental housing development and related real estate transactions and documentation; understanding of affordable housing finance including layered financing and tax credits.
Education in housing finance, business, public administration, or related field. Qualifying education post high school or equivalent may be substituted year-for-year for experience.
Examples of qualification: 7 years experience; 6 years experience plus one year education; 5 years experience plus two years education; 4 years experience plus three years education; 3 years experience plus four years education; 2 years experience plus five years education; 1 year experience plus six years education.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Good understanding of state and federal low-income housing program regulations.
Experience with the Washington State Housing Trust Fund or HUD programs like HOME, federal Housing Trust Fund, Low-Income Tax Credit, or similar programs.
Experience developing rental housing or home ownership opportunities in rural communities.
Experience writing and implementing policies and procedures.
Willingness to work flexible hours in a collaborative, team-based environment.
Required Position Competencies
Demonstrated skills in organization, team building, and succession planning.
Ability to collaborate and build partnerships, develop work teams, and work with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to manage and work with diverse personalities, styles, and cultures.
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of real estate development processes and related agencies.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ability to create and manipulate pro forma financial models.
To be considered for this position the following are needed
A complete and detailed online application.
A cover letter (entered online).
At least three professional references (entered online).
For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov – please reference the job number in your message.
Work from Anywhere in Washington State. This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office or in-state events may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV (855-524-5627). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations for the application, testing, or interview process may be requested by emailing Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may use the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
The Department of Commerce offers a competitive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays, 14-25 vacation days per year, 8 hours of sick leave per month, bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, and other benefits. Details are provided in the Benefits Tab.
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Housing Preservation Specialist (COM 3) at the Department of Commerce. The department focuses on innovation, community, and impact, supporting affordable housing and inclusive economic growth.
The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits, and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote self-sufficiency, and reduce homelessness. This position works within the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU) of HD and is responsible for tasks within the State Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Housing Preservation Program (HPP), and the federal HOME and National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) programs. It is a technical specialist role in real estate development and finance, developing, negotiating, and managing terms for state and federally funded contracts that focus on affordable housing for low-income and special needs populations. The position updates and maintains Commerce databases to ensure accurate project data, establishes program priorities, and develops policies to create and preserve affordable units from award through the long-term period of performance.
Responsibilities
Program, Project and Contract Management – implement proviso programs per HTF budgets to meet legislative intent.
Participate in the MHU resource allocation process by providing technical assistance to applicants requesting HPP funds.
Review, analyze, and score project applications using the HPP Funder Application, HTF Handbook, Federal Guidebooks and NOFA guidelines to recommend investment of state funds.
Manage new awards in each funding round; process updates into the Commerce Contract Management Services (CMS) and Housing Contract Management Services (HCMS) databases and project files.
Review, analyze, and present for approval project scope, contract terms, financial structures for long-term sustainability, and key performance measures to the unit management team.
Coordinate with contracting specialists, clients, developers, and attorneys to ensure contracts meet approved terms.
Facilitate real estate closings, including ensuring escrow instructions, recording packages, closing funds, and project file documentation.
Coordinate with private and public financing partners and third-party consultants.
Troubleshoot and solve contract, construction, and project schedule issues, including financial renegotiations when necessary.
Monitor project scope to ensure alignment with funding requests, contract terms, and programmatic guidelines.
Ensure timely workflow and cross-team coordination within the unit and department according to HUB, manuals, and checklists.
Review and approve project and organizational data, capital needs assessments, and building improvements to align with guidelines and contract requirements.
Oversee collection, analysis, and submission of HPP program data in CMS and HCMS, ensuring compliance with state reporting standards.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop processes and policies aligned with HTF mission and vision.
Organization risk analysis and technical assistance
Participate in discussions on contract risk assessment, development, management, and monitoring. Provide recommendations to leadership on performance improvement plans to ensure compliance and limit agency risk.
Provide technical assistance to funding recipients for quality improvement purposes.
Conduct primary and follow-up reviews of subrecipient contracts using a fiscal monitoring tool; document significant entity processes and internal controls and report as required.
Apply best practices, quality improvement tools, and Lean practices to reduce fiscal monitoring issues through the contract lifecycle.
Follow up with contractors and staff to resolve non-compliance with federal and state rules regarding financial management.
Required Position Qualifications
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education in affordable housing, housing finance, real estate/lending, community, trade, or economic development with focus in two or more areas: Contract Management; Affordable Housing Asset Management; Project Management; understanding of multifamily/rental housing development and related real estate transactions and documentation; understanding of affordable housing finance including layered financing and tax credits.
Education in housing finance, business, public administration, or related field. Qualifying education post high school or equivalent may be substituted year-for-year for experience.
Examples of qualification: 7 years experience; 6 years experience plus one year education; 5 years experience plus two years education; 4 years experience plus three years education; 3 years experience plus four years education; 2 years experience plus five years education; 1 year experience plus six years education.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Good understanding of state and federal low-income housing program regulations.
Experience with the Washington State Housing Trust Fund or HUD programs like HOME, federal Housing Trust Fund, Low-Income Tax Credit, or similar programs.
Experience developing rental housing or home ownership opportunities in rural communities.
Experience writing and implementing policies and procedures.
Willingness to work flexible hours in a collaborative, team-based environment.
Required Position Competencies
Demonstrated skills in organization, team building, and succession planning.
Ability to collaborate and build partnerships, develop work teams, and work with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to manage and work with diverse personalities, styles, and cultures.
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of real estate development processes and related agencies.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ability to create and manipulate pro forma financial models.
To be considered for this position the following are needed
A complete and detailed online application.
A cover letter (entered online).
At least three professional references (entered online).
For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov – please reference the job number in your message.
Work from Anywhere in Washington State. This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office or in-state events may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV (855-524-5627). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations for the application, testing, or interview process may be requested by emailing Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may use the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
The Department of Commerce offers a competitive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays, 14-25 vacation days per year, 8 hours of sick leave per month, bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, and other benefits. Details are provided in the Benefits Tab.
#J-18808-Ljbffr