Senior Project Manager at Houston Housing Authority

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for planning, directing, managing, and providing oversight of the redevelopment of traditional public housing and mixed-income properties in accordance with specified repositioning plans. The incumbent is also responsible for grant management of special property improvement programs. 

All activities must support the Houston Housing Authority’s (“HHA” or “Authority”) mission, strategic goals, and objectives. The Senior Project Manager reports to the Director of Engineering.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned as needed. 

• Review and analyze plans for each assigned property, determine which HUD repositioning tools will be utilized, develop preliminary project plans and timelines, maintain and update master repositioning plan for entire public housing portfolio.
• Prepare scope of services and coordinate with procurement to maintain pool of third-party vendors to perform all necessary due diligence including architects, engineers, surveyors, appraisers, environmental consultants and others as needed, coordinate order and receipt of all necessary third-party reports.
• Coordinate all activities for preparation of inventory removal applications for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Section 18 Demolition and/or Disposition actions including completion of Part 58 environmental clearance and resident engagement in accordance with HUD Program requirements.
• Manage the RAD resource desk completing all RAD steps including initial applications, the concept call, the financing plan, the RAD Conversion Commitment (RCC), the preliminary closing documents, the final closing docket, close-out upon completion of construction, and post-closing events as applicable.
• Coordinate redevelopment and construction schedules with all internal and external stakeholders including residents, relocation staff, development partners, construction teams, city and county entities as applicable. 
• Manage assigned property improvement grant programs; prepare and monitor grant budgets, schedules, progress reports, conduct outreach and marketing of special programs, develop and implement application process and all grant implementation procedures, serve as agency representative with HUD and other funders as applicable, coordinate grant close-out including final financial reports and audits. 
• Coordinate and lead planning and design charettes with Development Partners; represent the agency in value engineering studies for each project to ensure that construction projects remain within available budgets.  
• Manage procedural aspects of construction contracts including change orders; progress payments; submittals; payroll; and related documentation; coordinate with third-party escrow agents or in-house finance staff to assure prompt payment of construction draws.
• Responsible for utilization of automated systems assuring that all contractors are properly reporting W/M/DBE, Section 3, and Davis Bacon activity; monitor contractor compliance through system on a monthly basis; conduct field interviews to verify Davis Bacon wage compliance and provide a detailed monthly report of each contract status. 
• Conduct ongoing inspections of construction projects and provide reports on progress; conduct final inspection and complete punch list; assure completion of construction and coordinate with appropriate department/staff for final acceptance of construction work.
• Coordinates with Property Management and Maintenance staff as needed, to provide contractors access to units or work space; assure proper notices are provided to residents; and assure units are vacated if needed to assure resident safety.
• Responsible for coordination of all furniture, fixtures and equipment purchases as applicable for construction projects; review FF&E schedules with third-party interior design teams or internal design team; coordinate purchase, delivery and set up of all FF&E as needed.

• Provides functional supervision to assigned staff including, but not limited to: assigning, planning, and reviewing work, evaluating work performance and completing performance evaluations, coordinating activities, maintaining standards, allocating personnel, selecting new employees, training, acting on employee problems, and recommending and implementing discipline.

• Performs other related duties as assigned

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Knowledge of Houston Housing Authority programs, policies, and procedures. 
• Knowledge of HUD regulations, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the Houston Housing Authority. 
• Knowledge of strategic planning and execution. 
• Skilled in conflict resolution. 
• Skilled in oral and written communication. 
• Skilled in project management with a proven track record of delivering projects. 
• Skilled in active listening and responding effectively to customer complaints. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Ability to lead effectively and mentor others. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives. 
• Ability to work independently and assume assigned responsibilities. 
• Ability to effectively present information both orally and in writing and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. 
• Ability to learn and utilize advanced Microsoft Excel functions. 
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to multi-task, manage time effectively, and establish priorities. 
• Ability to take the initiative and become an expert at the job. 
• Ability to project a professional, polished image that inspires confidence and trust. 
• Possess exceptional work ethic. 
• Ability to exude self-confidence that inspires confidence in others. 
• Possess a thorough understanding of the job’s role in the organization’s success. 

 COMPLEXITY / SCOPE OF WORK

• The employee uses independent judgment on a daily basis to either interpret guidelines to choose the most appropriate course of action within established options and parameters. 
• The complexity of the daily job is enhanced, as the employee must be able to change from one to another set of regulations quickly.  Some aspects of the policies may change from month to month.   
• The employee’s work is directly related to the general business operations of Houston Housing Authority. The work can affect the Houston Housing Authority and other service agencies. The employee’s efforts affect the Houston Housing Authority’s ability to earn funds and to obtain additional funding.

 GUIDELINES

• The employee refers to Houston Housing Authority and HUD guidelines and to application manuals in performing work. These guidelines cover most job-related situations although the employee frequently is required to use independent judgment in making decisions. If guidelines do not cover a situation, the employee consults the supervisor or decides based on the circumstances.

 SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

• The employee directly supervises the RAD Section 18 OAM Project Manager(s) and the Construction Project Manager. 
• The employee is administratively responsible for overseeing RAD/ Section 18 Older Adults Modification (OAM) Program of the Houston Housing Authority.
• The employee performs routine tasks without direct supervision.  Situations not covered by instructions may be referred to the supervisor or handled by the employee, depending on the circumstances.  The employee’s work is reviewed sporadically for thoroughness, accomplishment of objectives and compliance with existing policies and procedures.

 PERSONAL CONTACTS

• The employee has continual contact with other employees, program participants, and landlords.  Most contacts are structured in nature and the employee is expected to use normal tact and professional courtesy.  Occasionally, a contact may be uncooperative or antagonistic, and the employee would be expected to use above-average tact and courtesy.  Failure to respond courteously could adversely affect the public’s opinion of the program and the Houston Housing Authority.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is both sedentary and active.  
• Work tasks will involve physical exertion in the field by conducting home visits.
• Work involves the normal risks and discomforts associated with an office environment, but are usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted and ventilated.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in an executive administrative support capacity. Experience with HUD programs and familiarity with housing regulations is highly preferred.
• Must have Project Management Professional certification.
• Bondable.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or obtain such within the first thirty (30) days of employment.  The driving record must be in good standing.
• Eligibility for coverage under Houston Housing Authority fleet auto insurance.

 DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.