Federal Project & Lead Hazard Reduction Controller

CITY OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND

Personnel Division

Employment Advertisement

Federal Projects & Lead Hazard Reduction Controller

Working under the Planning Director as well as under the direction of the Project Manager of Federal Programs and Grants, the person in this position will assist in the implementation and coordination of the City’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program.  He/She will also assist in the management of all other City grants that become available.  The person in this position must provide monitoring, financial, statistical and narrative records and reports as required for all grants and programs the City of Woonsocket receives.  An Associate’s Degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.  Must be very familiar with housing construction, building plans, construction and lead abatement specifications, lead inspection reports, building inspection, code enforcement, and project estimates.  Two (2) years of progressively responsible administrative experience with some of that experience in public housing programs and community development.  Must be knowledgeable in all Federal, State and local ordinances as related to any assigned activities.  Must have a valid driver’s license.

Application Deadline:     Monday, June 1, 2026

Classification:     Non-Union/Non-Classified

Salary Rate:     $1,059.45/Per Week

Hours of Work:     40-Hours Per Week

To Apply:  The City of Woonsocket offers a competitive benefit and compensation package.  For more information on this position including a full position description and application visit the “Employment” section on the City of Woonsocket website via the following URL: 

https://www.woonsocketri.gov/personnel-department/pages/employment-opportunities

Please forward your completed application and resume to Nikki Aphonphanh, Personnel Division, City of Woonsocket, 169 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895.  You may send your information electronically to naphonphanh@woonsocketri.gov.

A City of Woonsocket Application for Employment must be completed and one can be obtained by visiting the “Employment” section of the City’s website at www.woonsocketri.gov.

About Woonsocket:  A City that upholds forward thinking principles for both employees and residents.  Located in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley, the City of Woonsocket is a vibrant, urban community and is surrounded by the growing suburban communities of Lincoln, Cumberland and North Smithfield, and boasts a positive business climate where City officials and the business community work together to build a strong economy.  Woonsocket is centrally located in the Boston/Worcester/Providence triangle, and home to CVS Corporation, a Fortune 500 company.

JOB TITLE:                           Federal Projects & Lead Hazard Reduction Controller

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:  Department of Planning & Development

HOURS:                                 40-Hour Per Week

CLASSIFICATION:               Non-Union/Non-Classified Plan

POSITION SUMMARY:  Working under the Director of Planning & Development and under the supervision of the Project Manager of Federal Programs & Grants, will be responsible for assisting in the coordination and implementation of the City’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program (LHRP).  Will also assist, as needed; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and HOME Programs, as well as other grants that may become available to the City; provides information to the public, maintains financial, statistical and narrative reports and records.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist, as needed, in organizing, directing and administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME programs, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and associated Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) activities, other designated Management Information Systems (MIS) as well as other grants that may become available to the City.
• Maintains a thorough familiarity with federal and state community development, and homeless grant programs.
• Assist in procuring and managing outside contractors to expedite workflow.
• Communicates and works with City staff, subgrantees, and others to ensure all components of each unit’s scope-of-work are completed, and, more generally, that LHRP benchmarks and outcomes are achieved.
• Assists with the compilation of data for technical and administrative reports.
• Assist the Planning Department with City grant recipients to negotiate and execute project contracts.
• Assist in preparing Request for Proposals (RFP) and Bid documents.
• Prepare Environmental Reviews.
• Reviews payment of “requisitions for reimbursement” from City grant recipients regarding expenses incurred during the implementation of grants and project activities.
• Provides training and technical assistance to City grant recipients to ensure grant compliance.
• Manages grant recipient monitoring activities, including site visits, identifying and insuring correction of findings, preparation of monitoring reports, maintenance of grant files, and the update of client databases.
• Assist in collaborating with other funding agencies in coordination of program design, policies and procedures development and funding allocations related to primary functions.
• Serves as the designated staff person who deals with the general public in receiving inquiries and applications for the various housing programs as administered by the Department of Planning & Development.
• Requests and analyzes third party verifications, title reports and appraisals and also responsible for underwriting for all programs within the Development Division.
• Coordinates the technical work performed by the Construction Supervisor.
• Works with department and other city staff to plan, organize and coordinate projects, and events; develops program design, program tasks, timelines and measurements of success.
• Reads, researches and investigates a variety of community issues and programs related to primary functions; identifies city and community program services, programs, resources and information that could be of benefit to the improvement of residents, neighborhoods, or the community as a whole.
• Keeps all required documents and other required paperwork as required by the Federal agencies funding the Department.  Assist in maintaining financial records, recording the status of payment for each individual project as well as maintaining monitoring.  Assist in ensuring that all files are accurate and complete and are maintained to audit standards.
• Related work may include the conducting of required interviews with tenants and/or property owners; solicits documentations and information necessary to support action undertaken.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports required by state and federal agencies.
• Responsible for tracking the status of all applications within the programs.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• An Associate Degree is preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience that will provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful performing the essential functions of the job.
• Familiarity with housing construction, building plans, construction and lead abatement specifications, lead inspection reports, building inspection, code enforcement, and project estimates.
• Capable of dealing with the public in a professional manner and capable of articulating lead inspection procedures and policies.
• Two (2) years increasingly responsible administrative experience, to include at least one (1) year of experience in public housing services programs, management, or community development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite to include Outlook, Word and Excel.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.
• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local laws and ordinances governing the activities of the department, which includes all State and Federal Lead Based Paint regulations.
• CDBG, HOME, LEAD program objectives, goals, rules and regulations.
• Housing financing and development.
• Request for Proposals (RFP) and Bid writing methods and techniques.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Modern office practices, methods, procedures and equipment. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Record-keeping principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both skilled and unskilled workers in the building industry.
• Ability to communicate effectively with homeowners and their representatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Able to assist, as needed, in the administering of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME and Emergency Solution Grants (ESG) programs, as well as other grants that may become available to the City.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local requirements and regulations.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communications in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including personal computer equipment using standard or customized software application programs appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

COMPETENCIES:

Foundational:

• Use Technical/Functional Expertise:  Displays an appropriate depth of knowledge and skills as required for the position.  Uses technology as appropriate for the position.  Seeks additional knowledge and information to continually enhance knowledge in areas of specialty.
• Be Accountable for Performance:  Actively shows responsibility, reliability, and trustworthiness. Ensures work and information are complete and accurate. Admits mistakes and looks for ways to improve.  Models self as dependable and reliable.  Follows up with others to ensure agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.  Values the importance of team and organizational success. Independently takes action to influence events, to improve own or organizational performance and to promote the goals of the organization.
• Provide Excellent Customer Service:  Anticipates, assesses, and responds effectively to the needs of diverse customers, both internal and external, providing consistently excellent service that is timely, accurate, courteous, and respectful.
• Communicate Effectively:  Uses verbal and written skills effectively to ensure that information is successfully shared throughout the organization. Relates well to a range of people.  Shows sensitivity to the needs of others.  Demonstrates ability to build rapport and facilitates mutual understanding.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handles or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CONFIDENTIALITY:  Employee has access to confidential information and is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of that information as it relates to written and electronic documents and correspondence.

An Equal Opportunity Employer