Construction Specialist - HRA

Austin NAWIC; Fergus Falls (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA benefits

Paid holiday/sick/vacation leave

Job summary

Otter Tail County is seeking a Maintenance/Construction Coordinator to support the Community Development and Housing team. This role maintains HRA-owned residential properties, assesses condition needs, prepares scopes of work, and oversees capital improvement projects to ensure compliance with program requirements.

You will review construction drawings, coordinate with owners and contractors, manage inspection schedules, and assist with loan packages and closings.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree or two-year technical certificate in Construction, Construction Management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance at HRA-owned units including carpentry, small repairs, supply procurement, and preparing units for occupancy.
• Assist with review of building plans, site assessments, and cost analyses for new construction proposals.
• Coordinate rehabilitation loan outreach, assess eligibility and determine approvals/denials, assist with loan packages and closings.
• Manage inspection schedules, prepare bids, review drawings, estimate costs, oversee bid processes, and monitor progress.

Education

Associate Degree / 2-year certificate

Job description

The purpose of this position is to serve as a member of the Community Development and Housing team and support the maintenance of the Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) owned residential properties as well as the administration of housing rehabilitation and new construction programs. This position is responsible for performing maintenance at properties owned by the HRA, including assessment of property conditions and identifying capital improvement needs, preparing scopes of work, participating in procurement processes, overseeing capital improvement projects, and conducting property inspections to ensure compliance with applicable program requirements and project specifications.

This position also reviews construction drawings and scopes of work, coordinating with property owners and building trade contractors, and evaluating and inspecting completed building improvements as well as establishes work schedules and priorities to meet directives and deadlines provided by the Project Manager and/or Housing Program Supervisor. The position advises property owners on project processes and requirements, responds to questions, prepares reports, and completes required forms and documentation.

This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The 2026 starting salary for this position is $27.42 per hour, depending on qualifications, with career advancement to $41.13 per hour.

Otter Tail County provides an attractive benefit package for regular full-time employees, including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Regular full-time employees can expect to accrue holiday, sick, and vacation leave benefits. In addition, employees receive professional development opportunities.

Examples of Duties

• Performs maintenance activities at HRA owned units including purchasing supplies, carpentry repair, changing locks, and other repairs not requiring contractor licensed personnel and associated with preparing units for occupancy.
• Assists Project Manager with reviewing and researching new construction proposals, including review of building plans, site and infrastructure assessment, and proposed cost analysis.
• Assists Project Manager with conducting rehabilitation loan program outreach and advertising, screening interested parties for eligibility and amount of assistance, verify applicant information, and determine approval/denial.
• Assists Project Manager with preparing housing rehabilitation loan packages and securing loans, including identification and preparation of appropriate real estate forms, finance forms, and external agency forms. Conducts loan closings, records relevant documents/liens with pertinent agencies.
• Manages timing of property inspections, prepares detailed work specification for bidding purposes, reviews construction drawings, develops cost estimates, coordinates the competitive bid process when required, conducts an informal bid opening, prepares contract documents, conducts preconstruction meeting, monitors work progress, approves change orders, conduct final inspections, obtain necessary permits, and recommends payment for completed work.
• Performs annual inspections of HRA owned units, identifies ongoing maintenance needs, and recommends annual capital improvement plans for property improvements.
• Establishes collaborative relationships, participates in the implementation of unit, agency and team goals, policies, and procedures.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Associates Degree or two-year technical certificate in Construction, Construction Management, or related degree. Preference given to candidates with construction project management or building maintenance experience. Consideration will also be given to a combination of education and experience.

The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Finalists will be required to pass a background investigation prior to hire. A standard 12 month probation period applies.

Veterans Preference

Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and any supporting documentation must be included with the employment application.

Background Investigation

All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.

Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.

Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary/Compensation: $27.42 - $41.13 per hour