Federal Interest Specialist

Posting Date:              November 17, 2023

Closing Date:            January 11, 2024

General Summary of the Position:

The Real Property Facilities Initiative provides facilities and federal interest management resources to the Office of Head Start, Office of Grants Management, and Regional Offices. This position has primary responsibility for providing technical support and resources to the Office of Head Start in their management of federal interest share in real properties. More specifically, this position researches Head Start facilities, ownership history, real estate records, federal government, and other funding history to identify federal share in real property. This position works in collaboration with Real Property Facilities Initiative (RPFI), Transition Works, and teams, as assigned to develop and implement action plans to guide the Office of Head Start and Regional Offices in taking next steps to update and sometimes reconcile federal interest property records. Regular communication with grant recipients is necessary.

This position is remote work from a home office.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

Duties are described in major areas in order of importance.

Research and Analysis:

·         Review grant recipient SF-429 A and B Reports as assigned for accuracy using written guidance.

·         Accesses various platforms to obtain a comprehensive picture of properties utilized and reported by a grant recipient, including OHS data such as Notices of Awards (NOAs), previous grant applications and records, grant correspondence, online local property record databases (e.g., county tax assessor websites, registrar of deeds), and commercial property search engines.

·         Determine property record information, including identifying ownership interests and historical data (deeds and conveyances); encumbrances (including mortgages, liens, easements, use restrictions, environmental considerations, etc.); checks deed information, property records, and maps to ensure accuracy of data.

·         Identifies baseline federal share and grantee share of ownership in Head Start properties. Calculates the federal share in properties constructed, purchased, leased, or renovated with federal funds. 

·         Organizes and tracks source data and the creation of case file documents (e.g., Notice of Awards, deeds, leases, 1303 applications, SF-429 Real Property Reports, mortgage documents).

·         Enter data and upload source data into Smartsheet, checking for accuracy.

·         Reviews property research, synthesizes analysis, and final report writing so information is accurate and conveyed with action steps clearly articulated.

·         Answers questions and convenes calls with grant recipients, grants management staff and other federal staff to review SF-429 Reports and complex federal interest real property cases.

·         Problem solves in partnership with OHS to address issues such as valuation of federal share, subordination of federal interest, financing arrangements, capital leases, and disposition of property subject to federal interest.

·         This work will be necessary for multiple properties simultaneously, requiring high organizational skills.

Training Coordination:

·         Assist in developing resource guides, tools, and templates, and process steps to guide the work.

·         Assist in the establishment of consistent and uniform practices for the entry of data and in the production of reports. 

·         Provide training to federal staff and grant recipients as assigned on federal interest and SF-429 Report content areas. Training may be provided in person or in a virtual environment.

Coordination and Collaboration:

·         With support from the Federal Interest Coordinator and Federal Interest Manager, directly engages with the RPFI, Transition Works, and RPFI Analyst teams and the Office of Head Start, Regional Offices, and Office of Grants Management, and within CDI to move project objectives forward. 

·         Coordinates and collaborates with the RPFI, Transition Works, and RPFI Analyst teams, respectively, during all phases of the work.

·         Provide periodic status reports as required.

Knowledge and Abilities:          

·         Federal government funding process, including the Notice of Awards, special conditions, grant close out processes.

·         SF 429 Real Property Status Report filing.

·         Federal government real property procurement and management.

·         Head Start 45 CFR Part 1303

·         Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 and 45 CFR Part 75

·         Head Start Act Public Law 110-134

·         Principles, practices, and procedures of real estate transactions.  

·         Systematically investigate various information platforms, materials, sources, and establish facts, and reach conclusions based on findings.

·         Synthesize research into actionable next steps.

·         Write process steps, resource guides, and toolkits to describe the work process.

·         Train others.

·         Exercise considerable judgment and discretion.

·         Coordinate with professionals with varied technical expertise and disciplines.

·         Communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

·         Effectively communicate and live into CDI values and practices.

·         Establish and maintain effective working relationships with program staff.

·         Interpret a variety of instructions.

·         Handle multiple tasks and competing issues; ability to meet multiple and changing deadlines; ability to prioritize.

·         Work independently as well as in a team.

·         Maintain confidentiality.

·         Proficiency in using personal computers with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheets, and other related software and data tracking systems.

·         Effective negotiation skills.

·         Meticulous planning and organization, and the ability to manage multiple projects at once.

Education & Experience Minimum Qualifications:        

The above knowledge and abilities are typically acquired as follows:

·         Juris Doctorate, with coursework or experience in property law or real estate transactions is required; OR

·         Graduated from an accredited college or university with an MBA or related field, plus 5 years’ experience working in real estate transactions, property abstracting, or real estate finance is required.

·         Strong background and work experience in real estate transactions with the ability to examine title abstracts, leases, deeds, and other real estate related documents.

·         Training or experience in federal government acquisition/property procurement, is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Experience reading, drafting and/or analyzing legal documents related to real estate transactions such as deeds, leases, mortgages, and construction contracts.

·         Experience in federal government: acquisition/property procurement, business analysis, financial management, program, and management analysis.

·         Experience in federal government property management/procurement, management of federal interest properties.

·         ​Experience with federal regulations such as 45 CFR Part 1303, OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Benefits: CDI offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, paid time off, volunteer time off, parental leave, employer contributions to a simplified employee pension plan, professional development, tuition reimbursement, and a robust culture that supports innovation, creativity, and open communication.

Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $92,000.

Send cover letter and resume to lgravelin@cditeam.org prior to the closing date.

Community Development Institute is an Equal Opportunity AA, M/F, Vet/Disability Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for staff.