Analyst

ANALYST
HOUSING INVESTMENT AND FINANCE DIVISION
FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT
$74,816 - $104,743 (DOQ)
REGULAR POSITION
Initial salary placement is generally made between the start and mid-point of the posted range. New hires are not eligible to start at the maximum of the posted range.
LACDA Overview

The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is a dynamic, innovative agency created in 1982 by the Board of Supervisors to generate affordable housing and economic redevelopment throughout Los Angeles County and participating cities.  Funded primarily with federal grants, the LACDA is an industry leader in sponsoring new solutions to housing and forming partnerships with private and public agencies. To find out more about the LACDA, please visit our web site at www.lacda.org.

Division Overview

The Housing Investment and Finance Division (HIF) administers federal, state, and local funds that are made available to for-profit and non-profit housing developers for the development and preservation of affordable and special needs housing. Additionally, it supports low- and moderate-income homeownership, single and multifamily home rehabilitation and sound mitigation, and various community and economic development projects and initiatives.

Position Overview

Under direction, performs a variety of professional analytical and administrative duties in support of HIF’s business activities, functions, programs, and services. The following position overviews reflect the current openings within the Analyst classification.

Opening 1:

This position supports affordable housing development by overseeing the solicitation, review, and approval of funding applications, and by preparing necessary documents to secure funding and complete the approval process for selected projects.

Opening 2:

This position supports affordable housing development by managing the underwriting, evaluation, and submission of multifamily bond applications to the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Conducts research and prepares reports on a variety of specialized topics related to division/departmental and programmatic activities requiring compilation and analysis of data. 
• Supports department-specific programs and projects in such areas as grants administration, contract administration, compliance monitoring, legislative and policy analysis, and program evaluation. 
• Prepares program and project scope, descriptions, and implementation plans; assesses feasibility of program and project implementation and impact to Authority programs, operations, and services; consults with Authority staff, management, and outside agencies; prepares recommendations for operational, policy, and/or procedural changes; participates in program and project implementation and monitoring of activities. 
• Reviews grants requests and/or monitors grant expenditures.
• Confers with pertinent staff regarding various matters as assigned.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, new or revised programs, systems, methods of operation, and administrative control systems for assigned projects and programs. 
• Participates in preparing sections of administrative, management, operational, staff, legal, regulatory, and financial reports including the preparation of data analysis, conclusions, and/or recommendations.
• Serves as a liaison to employees, public, and private organizations, contract agencies, community groups, and other organizations; provides information and assistance to the public and contract agencies regarding assigned programs and services; receives and responds to complaints and questions relating to assigned area of responsibility; reviews problems and recommends corrective actions. 
• Participates in the development and implementation of new or revised programs, systems, procedures, and methods of operation; develops and implements program strategies and guidelines; monitors program performance and compliance; compiles and analyzes data and program metrics and makes recommendations to improve programs and service delivery. 
• Conducts a variety of analytical and operational studies regarding division/departmental and programmatic activities, including complex regulatory, operational, or administrative issues or questions; coordinates activities across departmental and functional lines; identifies and evaluates alternatives, makes and justifies recommendations, and assists with the implementation of procedural, administrative, and/or operational changes after approval. 
• Develops and implements file, index, tracking, and record-keeping systems; researches records within areas of assigned responsibility to prepare reports and provides follow-up information to inquiries. 
• Monitors changes in regulations that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval. 
• Verifies and reviews forms and reports for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures; applies departmental and program policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and files. 
• Participates on a variety of interdisciplinary committees and commissions and represents the Authority to a variety of community and stakeholder groups. 
• Establishes and maintains contact and working relationships with all Authority departments, local, state, and federal agencies, and contract agencies for acquisition of necessary information, and/or for the implementation of cooperative programs and activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Operations and services provided within assigned division/department, and/or program area. 
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures. 
• Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation.
• Principles of program and project planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Research and report preparation methods. 
• Financial, statistical, and comparative analysis techniques for interpreting various agreements and financial documents. 
• Public administration policies, procedures, functions, authorities, and regulations. 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility. 
• Principles and practices of marketing, community engagement, and public relations.
• Principles, practices, and funding sources for planning and implementing assigned program(s), program components, and related projects. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Division/department organization, functions, programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives. 
• Principles and practices of business and public administration as applied to assigned area of responsibility.  
• Principles and practices of project management. 
• Techniques for effectively representing the Authority in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Authority and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Authority staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Research, analyze, evaluate, understand, interpret, and apply programs, policies, procedures, and guidelines, and develop sound recommendations. 
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Collect, analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative, technical, and program information and data in an effective manner for a variety of intended audiences. 
• Perform statistical and financial analyses to evaluate assigned projects, programs, and activities.
• Prepare clear and concise analytical reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions. 
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Coordinate and collaborate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, community groups, and government agencies related to assigned functions, programs, and/or projects.  
• Work on a variety of projects related to assigned area of responsibility. 
• Handle sensitive and confidential information. 
• Effectively represent the department and the Authority in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.  Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, sociology, urban planning, or other field related to assigned area of responsibility.  

Experience: 

• One (1) year of increasingly responsible professional experience in a field related to assigned area of responsibility including administrative, research, program, and/or budgetary support.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Some positions may require possession of a valid California Driver’s License to be maintained throughout employment or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Some positions may require possession of industry specific licenses and/or certifications to be maintained throughout employment. 

Desirable Qualifications:

Desirable Qualifications are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered desirable qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who possess these qualifications will not automatically be selected.

• Experience sourcing and delivering financial support for affordable housing projects. 
• Experience interpreting California debt limit allocation rules and other federal, state and local regulations related to affordable housing programs.
• Experience analyzing and assessing the financial feasibility of affordable housing projects.
• Experience in managing and issuing funding opportunities for a public agency.