HomeMy WebLinkAboutAssociate Planner - Grants SpecialistUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Associate Planner – Grants Specialist
Department: Neighborhood & Development Services
Division: Neighborhood Services
Supervisor: Senior Community Development Planner
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 15
Job Number: 1501
Job Summary
Under direction, administers various federal, state and local housing and community
development programs and initiatives enabled through various federal, state and City funding
opportunities. Position will assist with any community development grant assigned.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Coordinates administration of federal and state community development and housing
programs, monitors allocation of funds, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local
regulations.
• Interprets and applies federal, state and city grant policies and regulations to day-to-day
activities.
• Prepares agreements and contracts, writes grant applications, and administers programs
for federal and state funds.
• Develops procedures, process flows and program designs, and maintains orderly files.
• Tracks project budgets, processes reimbursement requests and invoices in accordance
with program regulations.
• Prepares progress reports and other required reporting, advises appropriate boards and
commissions, City Council and the general public regarding housing and community
development programs.
• Monitors housing projects during their compliance period based on federal, state and
local requirements.
• Researches, analyzes and recommends strategies and guidelines for development of City
Council policies and procedures related to COVID-19 recovery and other community
development and affordable housing issues.
• Assists with special initiatives related to program implementation.
• Communicates and maintains relationships with subrecipients and partner agencies
throughout all phases of each project.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree in Public Affairs, Public Administration, Urban
Planning, Business Administration, Accounting, Non-profit Management or related.
Experience in grant administration, project management or housing and community
development.
• Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related
experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Experience administering U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) or other federal housing and community development
programs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to analyze and critique plans and proposals for community development.
• Ability to effectively present information to city leadership, federal/state program
representatives, public groups, and/or other stakeholders
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, city
departments, service providers, state and federal officials, and the public.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to prepare and present technical reports and resolutions.
• Ability to read and interpret legal agreements and documents, federal regulations,
financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from housing providers, partner
agencies, or members of the community.
• Ability to serve as a liaison between the City and grant applicants/recipients.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to work independently to make decisions and work through complex issues; uses
critical thinking skills and sound judgment in completion of work.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Ability to write reports that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Knowledge of community development programs and affordable housing issues,
techniques, and financing.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is not regularly exposed to adverse
conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The stress level for
this position may be elevated when handling upset customers.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director (4/2024)
of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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