Program Specialist - Homelessness System Coordination Team

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Full benefits package

Job summary

The State of Utah, through the Office of Homeless Services, seeks a Program Specialist to support the Balance of State CoC, Local Homeless Councils, and statewide workgroups. You will help with policy development, HUD CoC NOFO activities, and interagency collaboration to prevent and end homelessness across Utah.

You will provide training, technical assistance, grant coordination, and data quality support, coordinating with diverse partners to improve service delivery and reporting while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 2+ years in federal grant administration, housing, or homelessness programs.
• Experience delivering training to diverse audiences and designing TA frameworks.
• Experience creating program policies, procedures, and TA frameworks.
• Strong writing, verbal communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to Local Homeless Councils and Balance of State CoC.
• Lead OHS support for workgroups and HUD CoC NOFO processes.
• Coordinate with state and federal partners to align homelessness efforts.
• Deliver statewide training and ensure compliance with regulations and data standards.
• Assist with grant applications, RFGA development, and reporting.
• Resolve high-conflict service delivery and contract issues.
• Support communications and outreach, including newsletters.

Skills

Training design

Policy development

Grant administration

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Prioritization

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $25.00 - $29.00 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Key Responsibilities

Position Overview

The Program Specialist provides technical assistance, operational support, and system coordination as a member of the Homelessness System Coordination (HSC) Team within the Utah Office of Homeless Services (OHS). This role supports the Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC), Local Homeless Councils (LHCs), and statewide workgroups, assisting with policy development, federal grant processes (including the annual HUD CoC NOFO), and interagency collaboration to prevent and end homelessness across Utah.

• Provide dedicated support and technical assistance to designated Local Homeless Councils (LHCs) in the Balance of State CoC, assisting with policy and procedure creation, identifying improvement opportunities, and communicating recommendations to leadership.
• Serve as lead OHS support staff for assigned Balance of State Workgroups (such as Coordinated Entry and Systems Advocacy & Performance).
• Support the Collaborative Applicant lead with the annual HUD CoC NOFO application process, project review and ranking, and HUD monitoring activities.
• Coordinate with internal DWS/OHS colleagues, the DWS contracts team, homeless service providers, federal partners, local governments, and other state departments to align homelessness response efforts.
• Deliver training and technical support to agencies statewide to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, CoC policies, data quality standards, and national best practices.
• Support the implementation of statewide plans, policies, and recommendations on homelessness in coordination with local community homelessness plans.
• Assist with the development of Requests for Grant Applications (RFGA) and other funding solicitations. Collaborate on the creation and submission of state and federally required reports, as well as ad hoc queries.
• Resolve high-conflict service delivery and contract management issues by responding effectively to requests, problems, or breakdowns raised by stakeholders.
• Support program communications and outreach, including updating website content and assisting with Balance of State newsletter creation and distribution.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Social Work, Urban Planning, Public Policy, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 or more years of progressive experience in federal grant administration, housing and urban development programs, or homeless service systems management.
• Proven ability to design and deliver training to diverse audiences, including elected officials, executive directors, service providers, and the public.
• Experience establishing program policies, procedures, and technical assistance framework.
• Strong problem-solving, stress management, and conflict resolution skills in complex environments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities.
• Demonstrated professional sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness when working with diverse groups.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience writing or evaluating HUD CoC funding applications as a Collaborative Applicant or Lead Agency staff.
• Familiarity with Utah’s statewide homelessness response structure, OHS governance, and the Balance of State regional footprint.
• Hands-on experience with HUD reporting portals and HMIS databases, including system-level performance data analysis.
• Exceptional facilitation and consensus-building skills across rural community providers, local governments, and individuals with lived experience.
• In-depth knowledge of HUD CoC Program regulations (24 CFR Part 578), HEARTH Act, and federal grant management standards (2 CFR 200).
• Deep understanding of communities across Utah, with specific expertise in rural housing, community development, and Balance of State CoC operations.
• Five or more years of experience overseeing homeless service programs (shelter, rapid rehousing, PSH, outreach) and performing compliance monitoring for state or federally funded projects.

About The Role

Location – 140 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111, United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , click here . Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah's communities by supporting the economic stability and quality of our workforce. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].