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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-05-2007-4iORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 5, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~° ~ I SUBJECT: Classification and Pay Plan Amendment -Add Class of Homeless Programs Coordinator DEPARTMENT: Housing & Community Development/ Personnel ATTACHMENT(S): Class Specification for Homeless Programs Coordinator PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Fikes, Housing & Community Development Director, 919-245-2490 Michael McGinnis, Human Resources Director, 919-245-2552 PURPOSE: To amend the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of Homeless Programs Coordinator. at Salary Grade 20 and authorize the FTE. BACKGROUND: As an element of the 2007-08 Orange County operating budget, the Board of Commissioners approved on June 26, 2007 the funds for a new Homeless Program Coordinator position in the Housing and Community Development Department. Among numerous other duties (See Attachment I), the most significant responsibilities of this position will include: ^ Develop an overall approach for implementation of the ten-year plan that focuses on Orange County's priority of targeting the chronically homeless by moving them into Housing First and ensuring they have the services necessary to maintain housing. ^ Identify strategic priorities to be undertaken each year by convening the natural partners associated with each outcome of the plan. ^ Complete an ,assessment of potential financial resources, including both public and private resources, for the 10 Year Plan. ^ Develop a comprehensive understanding of Housing First, and build the necessary infrastructure to create Housing First Units targeting the chronically homeless as soon as possible. ^ Facilitate the regular bimonthly meetings and the annual preparation of the Continuum of Care application, along with applying for other potential grants that would generate revenue for the plan. a o Design and execute both an operational and capital budget necessary to achieve annual priorities This new position does not fit into an existing classification in the County's Classification and Pay Plan. Accordingly, it was necessary to review and develop a proposed classification for the position before recruitment and selection of an employee can be undertaken. Housing and Community Development and Personnel staff, with major assistance from Pat Thomas of the MAPS Group, reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the position and compared the duties and responsibilities to existing County positions. Based on this analysis, Staff recommends that the new position be approved by the BOCC and added to the Classification and Pay Plan as "Homeless Programs Coordinator" at Salary Grade 20. Salary Grade 20 has a hiring range of $46,013 - $59,785. FINANCIAL IMPACT: For Fiscal Year 2007-2008, the four local governments approved approximately $60,000 in funding for the salary, benefits, and one-time start-up costs for this position for the first year. The contribution breakdown based on population is as follows: Orange County - $24,000; Town of Chapel Hill - $24,600; Town of Carrboro - $8,400; and $3,000 from the Town of Hillsborough. The long-term joint arrangement among the local governments will be formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding that is currently under development. It is anticipated that the $60,000 available will be adequate funding for at least six months salary and benefits. Future funding needs will be addressed during the annual budget process in subsequent years. Additionally, the Executive Team of the Partnership to End Homelessness has affirmed its support of this position being classified as a County position. Subsequently, the County Manager has determined that this position should be located in the Housing and Community Development Department. The County will also be expected to provide for the overhead needs of the position. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board amend the Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of Homeless Programs Coordinator at Salary Grade 20 and authorize the addition of 1.0 FTE. 3 Attachment I Position Specification for Ilomeless Programs Coordinator JOB TITLE: Homeless Programs Coordinator DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Development, Orange County JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for providing staff support and leading an effort to develop a comprehensive approach to end homelessness in the County, working closely with the Partnership to End Homelessness Executive Committee. MAJOR DUTIES: o Develop an overall approach for implementation of the ten-year plan that focuses on Orange County's priority of targeting the chronically homeless by moving them into Housing First and ensuring they have the services necessary to maintain housing. o Identify strategic priorities to be undertaken each year by convening the natural partners associated with each outcome of the plan. o Complete an assessment of potential financial resources, including both public and private resources, for the 10 Year Plan. o Develop a comprehensive understanding of Housing First, and build the necessary infrastructure to create Housing First Units targeting the chronically homeless as soon as possible. o Facilitate the regular bimonthly meetings and the annual preparation of the Continuum of Care application, along with applying for other potential grants that would generate revenue for the plan. o Provide staff support to the Ten Year Plan Executive Team and Working Group to include noticing meetings, assist in agenda planning, and record meeting summaries. o Design and execute both an operational and capital budget necessary to achieve annual priorities o Create the capacity and/or incentives for housing developers to rehabilitate and build housing for the targeted population o Immediately begin working with the natural community partners to build an assertive street outreach component designed to engage the chronically homeless and enroll them into services and housing o Increase participation in the Homeless Management Information System in order to provide accurate and timely data about the homeless population and the success of the 10 Year Plan o Conduct annual evaluations of the program and make recommendations to the Partnership for changes 4 o Implement a public education campaign to increase understanding of and participation in the program throughout Orange County KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION: o Knowledge of the issue of homelessness, specifically with the implementation of strategies, such as assertive street outreach and Housing First for those who are Chronically Homeless. o Knowledge of public policy, community outreach and community education o Knowledge of potential funding streams for dealing with homelessness issues. O Knowledge of the Continuum of Care application process o Knowledge of housing and real estate principles and practices o Ability to interpret federal regulations. o Ability to prepare written reports, letters, and memorandum. o Ability to research program related issues. o Ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines. o Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external partners such as the local HUD office, the Orange County Board of Commissioners; and citizens. o Demonstrate energy, insight, initiative, and adeeply-held dedication to the goal of ending homelessness; o Exceptional written and oral communication skills including grant-writing skills o Problem-solving and analytical skills o Highly motivated self-starter requiring minimal supervision o Strong program direction and project management skills o Highly proficient in the use of computer systems, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.; familiarity with HTML and web design principles sufficient to maintain or oversee a dynamic, high-quality web presence for the Plan SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Manager assigns work in terms of very general instructions requiring the use of much judgment. Completed work is spot-checked for the nature and propriety of final results. GUIDELINES: Guidelines include HUD Regulations; State and Local Ordinances and Statues 5 GUIDELINES: Guidelines include HUD Regulations; State and Local Ordinances and Statues These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied project management, planning; technical, and program supervision duties. The need to interpret and apply laws and ordinances to many different situations and changing political priorities contribute to the complexity of the work. SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to serve as project manager to provide broader direction of the Partnership Executive Committee to serve all constituent members of the Partnership. This will require the ability to balance the goals and objectives of the plan with the assembled Executive Team member philosophies. Successful performance helps provide mechanisms to address problems leading to or affecting homelessness. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Elected Officials, Agency Executive Directors and agency staff, Legal Services, Accountants, Planners, Federal/State employees, disabled, elderly, and homeless individuals and families; and the working poor. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information; to resolve problems; to provide services; to motivate, influence, or interrogate persons; or to justify, defend, negotiate or settle matters, PHYSICAL DEM~DS: The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, walking, or stooping, but requires driving and use of standard office equipment. WORK ENVIROTfMENT: The work is typically performed in an office and occasionally outdoors. The employee maybe exposed to inclement weather. SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This position does not directly supervise staff but works closely with a variety of employees in other departments and agencies. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: o Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a Master's degree in a course of study related to the occupational field (Social Work, Public Administration, Planning, Public Health, or related field) o Three to 5 years of work experience in human services planning and implementation; managing programs related to homelessness is highly desired o Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.