If you are looking for a fulfilling career, where you can truly make a difference in the quality of people's lives, consider working in the affordable housing and community development field in rural New York. New York's community development industry offers unique challenges for creative and hard working individuals, with the opportunity to see the direct impact of your efforts on communities, on families, and in the lives of individuals. There are a wide variety of backgrounds and skills that are needed in the field, including business management and finance, construction experience and human services skills. These positions may be found in non-profit agencies, for-profit consulting and development firms, and governmental offices. Most rural community development and housing agencies are small, and staff need to bring multiple skills to their positions. The positions listed here are provided by our member agencies and firms, unless a position is specifically noted as a job opportunity with the Rural Housing Coalition. Please contact the listing agency at the location specified for each position.

HomeFront Development Corporation is a private, not-for-profit affordable housing organization serving Washington, Warren, Saratoga, Hamilton, and Essex Counties, and a state-designated Rural Preservation Company serving Washington County.  It’s office is located in Hudson Falls, New York.  HomeFront is responsible for implementing affordable housing programs; creating new home ownership opportunities; developing and managing safe, affordable rental units; and improving existing private rental units and owner occupied housing stock.  

HomeFront is presently seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director.  HomeFront’s Executive Director will be involved with a range of public and private mixed finance ventures including those using HOME funds, AHC funds, RPC funds, and tax credits to meet our goals.  

The Executive Director will:

• Supervise HomeFront project and rental management staff
• Complete and pursue new development opportunities
• Develop and maintain the agency budget
• Synthesize information for the HomeFront Board of Directors
• Work within the parameters of the agency by-laws and state and federal housing programs.

• Direct practical experience with the development of affordable housing, including rental housing
• Familiarity with community development strategies and tools
• Experience working with public agencies and private lenders involved with the production of affordable housing
• Ability to work with elected and appointed officials
• Experience writing affordable housing proposals.

The Capital City Housing Development Fund Company, Inc (“CCH”), a city-wide Community Housing Development Organization in Albany, seeks an Executive Director to start in June 2007. 

The mission of CCH is to revitalize Albany neighborhoods blighted by abandoned property, expand affordable housing opportunities for people of low- and moderate-income, assist the City of Albany to expend its community development resources efficiently and effectively, and to enhance the legacy of Albany’s historic built environment.   CCH pursues this mission by working in close partnership with other organizations with shared missions and under the guidance of representative neighborhood plans. 

CCH is principally involved in the acquisition, assemblage, and redevelopment of abandoned or heavily blighted property in disinvested neighborhoods.  CCH is or will be involved with a wide range of public, private mixed financed ventures including those using the HOME funds, NYS HTF, CDBG, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, and the Federal Low-Income Tax Credit.  It works intensively with local and state government, private developers, foundations, and others. 

The organization’s work in the next two years will focus on the successful development of two tax credit funded affordable housing developments and an innovative vacant property initiative being developed with lenders, a local foundation, and the City of Albany.

The executive director is responsible to:

• Complete and pursue new development opportunities;

• Support the board of directors by providing timely, accurate, and comprehensive reporting information for their deliberations and decision-making;

• Advise the board on organizational issues and mission-effective program opportunities; 

• Interact with critical stakeholders in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors;

• Raise and manage resources for both project development and organizational operations;

• Effectively perform or oversee organizational administration;

• Oversee development team performance and undertake related real estate development activities;

• Lead the implementation of a multi-stakeholder vacant property initiative, and;

• Help conceive new program opportunities to revitalize Albany’s challenged neighborhoods.

• At least five years direct practical experience with the development of affordable housing, including for-sale and rental housing;

• Familiarity with community development strategies and tools; 

• At least five years experience working with public agencies and private lenders involved with the production of affordable housing;

• Evident ability to understand and work effectively with residents, stakeholders, and leaders from challenged neighborhoods and familiarity with neighborhood planning efforts;

•  An ability to both help shape strategic initiatives and implement program operations, and; 

• The capacity to continue to build the organization through resource development as well as to execute or oversee development related tasks.

The position’s expected to be filled by July 1, 2007.   Please forward resumes or direct questions to Brien O’Toole, using the contact information above or email: botoole@enterprisecommunity.org
 
 

        Leviticus Alternative Fund, a community development financial institution serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, is seeking a Loan Officer.   The Fund provides loans to community based organizations for the development of affordable housing and community facilities.

JOB SUMMARY: Originate, underwrite and process loan applications from eligible borrowers for real estate and economic development initiatives; manage the portfolio of current loans. 
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Origination:

–        Develop and maintain a marketing and borrower outreach plan for Leviticus;

–        Market Leviticus Fund loan products to community development organizations through personal contact, mailings, conference presentations, and other forms of outreach;

–        Initiate and develop potential borrower relationships;

–        Follow-up on inquiries to the Fund;

–        Prepare and update as needed all outreach and communications materials for all lending programs;

–        Maintain database of inquiries and potential borrowers.
 
 

Underwriting:

–        Interview and screen potential loan applicants;

–        Review and perform due diligence on the organizational, financial and project data provided by loan applicants;

–        Analyze data to determine the applicant’s capacity to assume and repay debt;

–        Prepare and present credit memo and recommendations for review by Leviticus Loan Committee; 

–        Close and document loans in consultation with appropriate staff members and legal counsel.
 
 

Portfolio Management:

–        Maintain accurate files of current loans;

–        Follow-up with borrowers who have not submitted required reports or whose reports demonstrate signs of weakness or deterioration;

–        Conduct a periodic review of all loans including site visits where appropriate;

–        Develop work-out strategies with borrowers who become delinquent or default on payment;

–        Prepare materials for Portfolio Review Committee meetings;

–        Track social impact indicators for all loans, maintaining the impact database and preparing reports for management as required. 
 
 

Other responsibilities:

–        Provide technical assistance to borrowers;

–        Work with the lending staff on special projects as required;

–        Write articles on borrower projects for Leviticus promotional pieces as required;

–        Generally contribute to the overall mission of Leviticus and to the growth and advancement of the Fund. 

REQUIREMENTS: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, relevant Master’s degree preferred, strong computer skills and strong oral and written communication skills.  Experience or knowledge in the following areas preferred:

–        Commercial lending experience;

–        Real estate development experience;

–        Underwriting experience;

–        Finance or accounting experience;

–        Knowledge of community-based organizations and community development funding resources.

PERSONAL QUALITIES:   A high degree of self-motivation, initiative, dedication and a commitment to the community development mission of the Leviticus Fund. 
 
 

POSITION LOGISTICS: Full-time position available immediately.  Work performed at Leviticus Fund office, 33 West Main Street, Room 205, Elmsford, NY.  Driver’s license and automobile required for field work, expenses reimbursed. 

SALARY:  Based on experience. Benefits package available.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Resumes will be accepted at the Leviticus Fund office until the position is filled.  Mail, fax or e-mail resume to:
            Leviticus Alternative Fund
            33 West Main Street, Room 205 
            Elmsford, NY 10523
            (914) 606-9006 (fax)
            info@leviticusfund.org

PROGRAM OFFICER: Asset Building and Community Development Program
Economic Development Unit 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The program officer will develop and manage program activities in the field of development finance and economic security with a focus on supporting practice, research, and policy analysis that facilitate the ability of residents of rural areas of the United States to improve their livelihoods and build financial assets. The program officer will be a key member of the Economic Development Unit whose mission is to support activities that make durable economic improvements in the lives of the disadvantaged by increasing their ability to earn income and develop assets. The program officer will be responsible for formulating strategies that increase economic opportunities for rural areas and their residents. This work could include supporting: strategies to increase sustainable wage employment for low-income people in rural areas; efforts to promote small enterprise and business development as part of a diversified rural economy; ways to expand community development financial activities that promote triple-bottom line development in rural areas; research on the impact of rural development strategies and proposed changes in public and private sector policies or programs on the economic prospects of rural areas; strategies to increase access of rural areas to a range of financial products and services; and making Program Related Investments (below-market loans and equity investments) to institutions engaged in economic development activities that increase the incomes and
assets of disadvantaged people in rural areas. The Program Officer also will be responsible for activities that help build the field of development finance and economic security in the United States.

Specifically, the program officer will review the current status of economic development practice, policies, and programs in rural areas; formulate grantmaking strategies to increase the ability of rural residents to build financial assets; solicit, review and respond to grant proposals; prepare recommendations for Foundation funding; and collaborate with other Foundation staff in New York, especially colleagues in the Community and Resource Development Unit, and overseas in developing approaches to improve economic opportunities for residents of rural areas. The program officer also will be responsible for negotiating and monitoring Program Related Investments to institutions in the field of development finance and economic security.

QUALIFICATIONS: Significant experience analyzing, researching, designing or implementing strategies to promote the economic development of rural areas in the United States in ways that increase opportunities for low-income people to create financial assets. Demonstrated capacity for analysis and development of innovative strategies to build financial assets for disadvantaged rural populations. Excellent analytical, organizational, financial analysis, and oral and written communication skills are essential.  A graduate degree in a related field is required. Previous experience making loans or equity investments in organizations engaged in development activities is highly preferred.

Location: New York, USA Target Date: Spring 2007 

Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity.  A generous benefits package is provided.

To apply for the position, visit www.fordfound.org/employment or send full application materials (consisting of substantive cover letter, c.v., and a 5-20 page sole-authored writing sample in English) to Ms. E. Mbom at 320
E. 43rd St., New York, 
NY 10017, USA, 
by January 3, 2007.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at the Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. 

A small community development firm located in the Capital District seeks a qualified individual to fill a Program Coordinator’s position. Responsibilities include administration of all aspects of housing rehabilitation and homeownership programs. This includes collecting household data, record keeping and other related day to day program management activities. This position will also require the preparation of funding proposals and the collection of field data in support of funding requests.
The successful applicant will have some degree of expertise in computer use and will be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience in program management and housing programs is important but not required. Familiarity with affordable housing finance programs, nonprofit organizational structure, supportive housing development and/or real estate lending a plus.  Applicant should be willing to learn all regulations pertaining to both state and federal funding sources.   Knowledge of HOME Program and the NYS Affordable Housing Programs are a plus.

Requirements:  A Bachelor degree or relative experience in a related field is required. Reliable transportation is also necessary as the position requires travel throughout Albany County.  Starting salary is $31,000.  Individual health insurance provided.  Please forward a resume’ to:  Judy Eisgruber, P. O. Box 407, Voorheesville, NY  12186 / Fax 518-765-9014 / Email jeisgruber@acrha.org

The New York State Rural Housing Coalition, Inc. hereby invites technical assistance and training consultants to submit statements of qualification to provide technical assistance and/or training services to community development and housing entities within the State of New York.  The Rural Housing Coalition seeks experienced technical assistance and training providers to join a team of subcontractor consultants to assist in improving the performance of local housing and community development practitioners, particularly in rural areas of the State.

The Rural Housing Coalition seeks technical assistance providers with a wide array of expertise, including but not limited to:  non-profit management; board development, legal services; construction management and design services; development finance; environmental hazard mitigation; real property management; accounting/bookkeeping and financial management; and grant writing and proposal packaging.  Technical assistance and training providers selected for inclusion in the Rural Housing Coalition’s team of subcontractors will enter into a master contract with the Coalition, with individual work assignments issued on a task order basis.  Task order assignments will be made on the basis of the closest match of required expertise of the subcontractor consultant and the specific needs of the client, such as:  years of experience, timeframe product or service must be completed, availability of consultant to complete the provision of services within the specified time frame, technical resources, and familiarity with the subject.

 Respondents to this Request for Qualifications are asked to provide the following information:
1) Letter of interest in participating in the Rural Housing Coalition’s technical assistance and training program, including hourly and daily reimbursement rate that will be charged (including separate charges for individual staff, where applicable);
2) Corporate resume detailing work experience relative to technical assistance and/or training, particularly in the community development setting, including representative examples of clientele served (with particular emphasis on community development-type clients);
3) Individual resumes of staff that will be working on assignments issued by the Coalition, including years of experience in the field;
4) A statement detailing the geographic area within New York State to be served (statewide, or if regional, detail which areas of the State);
5) A statement detailing that hourly and daily rates to be charged are consistent with rates charged to other clients, particularly on projects funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
6) A minimum of 3 references.

Please submit the above requested information to the attention of Mr. Blair Sebastian, Executive Director at the above address, and by electronic mail to:  rhc@ruralhousing.org.   This Request for Qualifications is open-ended, there is no deadline for submission.  The Rural Housing Coalition reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted by responders.  Acceptance of a proposer is not a guarantee of work assignments being issued.  Minority and Women owned firms are encouraged to apply.