Community Development Specialist - Hybrid

Wake County; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake County is seeking a skilled Community Development Specialist to help administer HUD entitlement grants (CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, ESG, CoC) and other programs. You will work with the Housing Grants Administrator to ensure compliance, accuracy of data, and timely reporting while supporting affordable housing and community development initiatives.

The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, and collaborative, capable of handling multiple priorities, and will engage with internal teams and external

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field is required or equivalent education/experience.
• Familiarity with HUD entitlement programs and grant administration is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication and analytical skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with drafting and preparing HUD entitlement plans and reports (Annual Action Plans, CAPER, Consolidated Plans).
• Support grant management systems and databases (IDIS, HEROS, SAGE, HMIS, Neighborly).
• Collect, analyze, and validate programmatic, financial, and performance data for timely outcomes.
• Develop and maintain internal policies, monitoring tools and compliance frameworks.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders and provide technical assistance on grant activities.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Analytical

Proactive

Organized

Collaborative

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration or related field

Tools

IDIS

HEROS

SAGE

HMIS

Neighborly

Job description

What You'll Be Doing

Wake County is Looking For You!!!

The Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Department is looking for a detail-oriented, analytical and proactive professional to join our team as a Community Development Specialist (CDS). This position supports the administration, monitoring, reporting and regulatory compliance of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement grants and other grant programs, including CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, ESG and CoC.

Working closely with the Housing Grants Administrator, the Community Development Specialist will help ensure grant-funded activities comply with federal, state and local requirements while supporting affordable housing, homelessness and community development initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be an organized and collaborative professional with strong analytical, written communication and problem-solving skills. They will be comfortable working with detailed information, learning and applying program requirements, managing multiple priorities and collaborating with internal and external partners.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with drafting and preparing HUD entitlement plans and reports, including Annual Action Plans, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPER), Consolidated Plans, Analysis of Impediments, grant applications, public noticesand other regulatory reports


• Support grant management systems and databases, including IDIS, HEROS, SAGE, HMIS, Neighborly and other applicable systems


• Collect, analyze, and validate programmatic, financial, and performance data and use project management strategies to support timely and accurate outcomes


• Support the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of internal policies, procedures, monitoring tools and compliance frameworks


• Communicate and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, provide technical assistance and assist with public notices, community engagement and other grant administration activities

NOTE: This is a Grant Funded position and may end at anytime.

About Our Team

The team works closely with the Business Team, the Contracts Team and the Research, Data and Systems Division to operationally support the department’s programmatic divisions(Homeless and Prevention Services, Permanent Housing and Supportive Services, Equitable Housing & Community Development and Veterans Services). The Community Development Specialist will collaborate across the department to strengthen grant administration, regulatory compliance, grant planning and reporting and performance management.
The Wake County Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Department seeks to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of housing for families and communities whose needs are not met by the natural housing market. As Wake County continues to grow, the Department works to increase and preserve affordable housing, promote housing stability, respond to homelessness and advance community development strategies. This work supports Wake County's economic competitiveness and its commitment to healthy and inclusive growth.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Community Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration or related field


• No specific experience required


• Valid Driver's License and \"safe\" driving record


• Equivalent education and experience are accepted

Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

• Three years of experience in community development, affordable housing, planning, project management, grant administration or public administration


• Experience with HUD entitlement programs or other federally funded programs, including grant administration, monitoring, reporting and regulatory compliance


• Experience using grant management, reporting or data systems such as IDIS, HEROS, SAGE, HMIS, Neighborly or similar systems

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Ability to interpret and apply federal grant requirements, regulations, policies and procedures


• Solid analytical skills, with the ability to collect, monitor, validate and assess programmatic, financial and performance data for accuracy and completeness


• Ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and with external partners


• Solid written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex information and prepare and present reports and findings


• Ability to identify and recommend improvements to processes, systems, tools and procedures that strengthen grant administration and compliance


• Solid organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and take proactive action to accomplish objectives

About This Position

Location: WCOBRaleigh 27602

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:15pm

Hiring Range: 26.82 - 29.80

Market Range: 26.82 - 38.76

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 10/7/2026

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. Starting in fall 2026, the Wake County Board will have seven commissioners elected by voters in their districts and two at-large commissioners elected by the whole County. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well‑managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2027 General Fund budget is approximately $2.28 billion, and the County has more than 5,000 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants fornemployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on jobrequirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected.Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, duringand after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.