The Recovery Fair Housing Equal Opportunity Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Recovery Division's (CDBG-DR, CDBG-MIT, Energy Solutions) programs; specifically housing programs. This position supports the VIHFA's Recovery Division in its strategic and operational work to affirmatively further fair housing. This position will work with Recovery Housing Programs to coordinate affirmatively furthering fair housing, wherein community members, participants, and residents of our various projects have opportunity to use and enjoy housing opportunities on an equitable basis. This position will provide subject matter expertise on fair housing, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and disability laws and compliance with fair housing and civil rights laws. This is a Territorial position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees organizational compliance of fair housing requirements embedded in conditional use permits, grant agreements, contracts, and other legal instruments.
• Monitor compliance with the civil rights and reasonable accommodation policies. In that capacity, coordinate VIHFA Recovery compliance with fair housing laws, Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act, and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Identify those areas that are in non-compliance; prepare detailed summaries of findings with supporting documentation.
• Enforces contracts, agreement, and conditional use permit (CUP) (as applicable) requirements associated with Fair and develops and executes procedures to ensure program compliance.
• Reviews VIHFA and subrecipient Affirmative Marketing plans to ensure fair housing compliance and recommend process improvements and system enhancements.
• Investigate, collect data and facts, interview involved parties, and prepare VIHFA response to housing discrimination complaints; and work directly with HUD and local Territorial Agencies and other parties to resolve filed complaints.
• Develop and institutionalize the tracking, status, and storage of disability reasonable accommodation/ modification requests and civil rights complaints.
• Coordinate the Recovery Division's efforts to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing including but not limited to under supervision of Director of Policy, Procedure, and Regulatory Services, leading the development and implementation of an Equity Plan as required by HUD to meet affirmatively fair housing requirements.
• Researches and interprets federal code and other related fair housing guidance. Analyzes problem areas in service delivery and formulates recommendations for improvement.
• Consults with senior departmental managers and provides advice and counsel on fair housing issues, potential impact of varying courses of action.
• Assists management by serving as liaison on internal and external issues, participating in task forces and special issue meetings and coordinating various projects.
• Collects quarterly and/or annual performance reports from programs.
• Coordinates interdepartmental program elements with departmental and Territory-wide goals.
• Promotes Fair Housing education and compliance by preparing a variety of materials to disseminate program and policy information.
• Develop and institutionalize processes and procedures for tracking, documenting, and reporting civil rights work.
• Coordinate, develop, and write responses to reporting requirements related to fair housing, Section 504, and/or ADA.
• Serve as subject matter resource when staff need a response to questions on policy, procedures, rules, and regulations related to civil rights. Develops training curriculum and provide follow-up training as needed to address and communicate changes in VIHFA, HUD, and other applicable policies or procedures.
• Build up VIHFA's compliance capacity through advocacy, clear communication, information sharing, and coordinating, conducting, and tracking participation in trainings for staff, subrecipients, contractors, and outside organizations.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts, Real Estate, Public Administration, Business, Social Work, Human Services, Education, or related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of in-depth experience working in the monitoring and compliance of a federal grant programs . Minimum of 3 years' experience in fair housing field, property management, HUD programs, civil rights compliance, legal compliance, and/or legal research. Knowledge of federal or local disaster recovery program implementation, a plus. Knowledge of Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing, and Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA, preferred. Equivalent education or experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Strong working knowledge of applicable regulations (Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing, and Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA). Ability to interpret and apply various federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations in making work decisions or in providing information to others. Able to plan, organize, conduct audits, identify, and document areas of non-compliance to facilitate corrective action. Demonstrate the use of standard principles and practices of effective training and presentation skills. Ability to research and analyze current and proposed legislation or regulations to assess the impact on VIHFA recovery operations. Strong organizational skills including prioritizing, ensuring accuracy, multi-tasking, and handling interruptions appropriately; ensures assignments are completed in a timely and effective manner. Communicates effectively and collaboratively with individuals, and internal and external organizations; applies effective written and oral communication techniques to convey clear and timely messages. Ability to work independently and as a team member to develop effective working relationships; works cooperatively, exchanges ideas, and addresses issues in a constructive, collaborative manner. Adapts to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities; responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives. Analyzes problems, identifies solutions, and articulates possibilities and recommendations; demonstrates critical, creative, and reflective thinking. Proficient using MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, as well as the internet and social media. Territorial travel required

SALARY:  $60,000-70,000 per annum depending upon qualifications. CDBG grant funded position

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES:

Interested applicants must submit an application, cover letter, and resume/vitae electronically at [email protected]. Employment applications can be downloaded from our website at www.vihfa.gov. Deadline for application submittal is September 6, 2024; however, this position will remain open until filled. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. Selected candidates will be contacted for interview.

The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer