Possess an associate degree in business administration, economics, planning, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Have two years of relevant work experience.
Have general knowledge of the principles, procedures, practices, and legal standards of community development programs; applicable local, state, and federal laws; local government structure; and financial and fiscal monitoring and reporting of grant activities, or demonstrate competency within one year of placement.
Have basic knowledge of contracts and grant oversight and monitoring, or demonstrate competency within one year of placement.
Have proficient computer skills.
Have proficient interpersonal relations and written and verbal communication skills.
Be comfortable with public speaking.
Be able to drive, as travel is required.
Responsibilities
Administer community development grants for the County of Blair within the Social Services Office, working with community corporations, private nonprofit organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies to develop and maintain community development programs and projects and ensure compliance with governmental requirements.
Assist with administration of the Home Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grant, sewer lateral installation, and lead hazard programs.
Participate in screening and evaluating programs and projects by conducting income surveys.
Complete and submit Home Investment Partnerships Program and lead hazard grant applications.
Perform inspections to determine housing suitability for rehabilitation.
Prepare cost estimates and specifications for rehabilitation work.
Process contractor background checks, interview homeowners, and conduct labor-compliance interviews.
Schedule pre-inspection and pre-construction meetings.
Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual grant reports and invoicing.
Maintain appropriate documentation and file retention.
Prepare agreements and resolutions with municipalities and nonprofit agencies for services and projects.
Contribute to the development and implementation of public education and information activities.
Attend events to distribute information about fair housing regulations.
Perform administrative tasks.
Complete continuing education and maintain confidentiality.
Grants Specialist
County of Blair · Altoona, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-08-25
Salary: USD 33,870–33,870
Workplace: on_site
Department: Social Services
Description
Our hire will be one of two who administer community development grants for County of Blair within the Social Services Office. Incumbent will provide a variety of support services through work with community corporations, private non-profit organizations, local/state/federal agencies to develop and maintain community development programs and projects to assure compliance with governmental requirements.
Essential duties include assisting with administration of Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), sewer lateral installation, and lead hazard programs; participating in screening and evaluation of programs and projects by conducting income surveys; completes and submits HOME and lead hazard grant applications; performs inspections to determine suitability for rehabilitation of housing; prepares cost estimates and specifications for rehabilitation work; processes background checks on contractors, interviews homeowners, and holds labor-compliance interviews; schedules pre-inspection and pre-constructions meetings; prepares and submits monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and invoicing related to grants; maintains appropriate documentation and file retention; prepares agreements and resolutions with municipalities and non-profit agencies for provision of services and/or projects; contributes to development and implementation of public education and information activities; attends events to distribute information related to fair housing regulations; performs administrative tasks; travels as needed, driving required; completes continuing education; and maintains confidentiality.
Requirements
Qualified applicants must possess associate degree in business administration, economics, planning, public administration, or related field OR have equivalent combination of education and experience; hold two years' relevant work experience; general knowledge of principles, procedures, practices, and legal standards of community development programs and local/state/federal laws as they apply to such programs, local government structure, financial/fiscal monitoring, and reporting of grant activities OR show competency within one year of placement into position; basic knowledge of contracts, and grant oversight and monitoring OR shows competency within one year of placement into position; proficient computer skills; proficient interpersonal relations and communications skills (both written and verbal); and comfort with public speaking.
Benefits
Competitive benefits package starts first of the month following 30 calendar days and includes 90% employer-paid PPO healthcare with vision and three-tier prescription components, pension plan, public employer's equivalent of 401(k), short-term disability, term life insurance, a menu of voluntary benefits that includes dental and Aflac, 14 annual paid holidays, and other time-off provisions. Starting hourly rate is $18.61 x 35.0-hour workweek. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER