Executive Director

Summary

The Chaffee Housing Authority is looking for a full-time Executive Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth. Founded in 2020 by Chaffee County, the town of Buena Vista and the city of Salida, the CHA was formed to navigate and solve the complex housing challenges the area faces. The CHA offices are in Salida, CO and the Executive Director will lead a staff of 4 in 2025 and report to a 9 member board of directors. Please see the job description below to learn more!

Description

CHAFFEE HOUSING AUTHORITY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

COMPENSATION:

• Salary of $90,000 to $110,000 annually, contingent upon the applicant qualifications and CHA

budget appropriations. Hiring range is anticipated to be $100,000 for an experienced applicant.

• Benefits include health stipend, dental, vision and life insurance, disability, retirement plan, paid

leave and holidays.

• FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director of the multijurisdictional Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) is responsible for

leading a county-wide strategy to address Chaffee County’s housing availability, accessibility, and

affordability across the housing continuum. The CHA was established in October of 2020 under the

provisions of C.R.S. 29-1-204.5, through agreement between Chaffee County, the City of Salida, and

the Town of Buena Vista.

The Executive Director should lead the organization and its work with an unwavering commitment to

equity, ensuring that all CHA programs and policies uphold the principles of dignity, fairness, and

inclusion. Through transparent decision-making and thoughtful leadership, the Executive director will

foster trust, accountability, and a shared vision for addressing the region’s housing challenges.

The CHA Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of Chaffee Housing

Authority, with a current staff of three FTE, an annual operating budget of nearly $1 million, and real

estate capital/projects budget exceeding $5 million. The CHA Director provides the leadership and

management for the planning, organizing, staffing, direction and control functions of the agency,

including those included in its founding Intergovernmental Agreement and all other governing laws.

The Director is responsible for developing, interpreting, and implementing policies approved by the

Chaffee Housing Authority Board of Directors.

The CHA Executive Director reports to a nine-member Board of Directors, and works closely and

collaboratively with other local governments, regional organizations, and diverse partners.

The Director position is a full-time, salaried role based in Chaffee County, Colorado, with the majority

of the work to be conducted in-person from the CHA’s Salida-based offices. Work will generally occur

within a standard Monday-Friday workweek, however, the Director will also be expected to

participate and represent CHA during meetings, events, and other occasions that may occur in the

evenings and/or on weekends. Some local and regional travel will be expected.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to create inclusive programs and policies that

prioritize dignity and respect for housing insecure populations

• Demonstrated leadership in public administration and/or non-profit management with a strong

understanding of and commitment to legal compliance, financial management, ethical leadership,

and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency in operations and decision making

• Demonstrated leadership in the formation and/or execution of affordable housing policy,

programs, and/or developments

• Understanding of “small town” or “rural resort” values, priorities, and experience

• Experience with organizational revenues diversification and long-range financial planning and

fiscal management

• Demonstrated success in securing funding, including grant writing and administration

• Ability to collaborate and maintain effective working relationships with community-based

organizations, elected officials, technical experts, and other stakeholders

• Adept at collaborating with and effectively engaging, and advocating for historically marginalized

populations, including low-income renters and individuals experiencing housing insecurity

• Knowledge of and/or experience with facilitating community planning processes

• High level knowledge of affordable housing policy and financing mechanisms

• Practical knowledge of land use code and policy, including inclusionary housing policies

• Practical knowledge of Deed Restriction administration and program oversight

• Practical knowledge of the real estate development process

• Proficiency in common computer and software programs including Google Suite, Microsoft Office

Suite, and basic bookkeeping systems

• Mastery of written and spoken English required, Spanish fluency also desired

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the position and do not

include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The Chaffee Housing Authority

Board reserves the right to modify, change or add duties or essential functions of this job at any time,

with or without advance notice.

OPERATIONS AND COLLABORATION:

• Inspires and motivates the community to care about and take action to address local affordable

housing needs, and builds meaningful connections by uniting diverse stakeholders and elevating

the voices and perspectives of those who are served by the CHA to drive impactful change

• Together with the CHA Board of Directors establishes and updates strategic goals and plans to

manage the work and expectations of the CHA within its general powers of authority as defined in

C.R.S. § 29-1-204.5

• Fulfills the scope of the chartering Intergovernmental Agreement establishing the CHA and its

related commitments to its member jurisdictions

• Ensures all CHA operations and communications adhere to local, state, and federal laws, including

anti-discrimination policies, and proactively address inequities in program delivery

• Provides support, oversight, and performance evaluations for CHA staff, including Real Estate

Projects Manager, Housing Programs Manager, Housing Navigator, Bookkeeper, and additional

staff and contractors

• Oversees HR, IT, Facilities, and Finance/Audit operations for the organization

• Directs and manages the budget for the organization including grant management and restricted

funds, including compliance requirements associated therewith, in conformance with GASB

standards and state of Colorado requirements

• Works with local partner jurisdictions and agencies, including elected officials and municipal

department directors to coordinate affordable housing efforts

• Establishes contacts and works with local, regional, statewide, and federal housing resources

including, but not limited to, CHFA, Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing and

Office of Homeless Initiatives, Colorado Department of Human Services, Upper Arkansas Council

of Local Governments, USDA, Federal Home Loan Bank and HUD, etc.

• Prepares board meeting agendas and packets in collaboration with the CHA Board’s Executive

Committee

PROGRAMMING:

• Directs development, implementation, and management of housing-related direct-service

programs, in alignment with goals of the CHA strategic plan and Housing Needs Assessment and

Housing Action Plan

• Ensures tenant eligibility, deed restriction, rapid rehousing, and homeless outreach programming

are conducted equitably, with a focus on preventing unintentional biases or discriminatory

practices

• Deepens the effectiveness of the Continuum of Care and Rental Deposit Guarantee Programs

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

• Responsible for the fiscal management of the annual and long-range CHA budgets and monthly

reporting of revenues and expenditures and balance sheets and other regular financial reports

• Ensures compliance with all applicable state, federal, and grant-related financial management and

reporting requirements

• Develops and maintains a 3-5 year financial forecast and budget plan for the CHA

• Ensures financial planning and resource allocation support the equitable delivery of services and

the reduction of barriers faced by vulnerable populations

• Oversees the planning for the CHA Finance Committee in collaboration with the committee chair

• Secures long-term revenue stream for the organization through grant writing, real estate

transactions, intergovernmental commitments, special limited partnership program, fee for

services, endowment campaign, grant writing, property management fees, and other sources

AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES:

• Utilizes the county-wide Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Action Plan to guide and focus

the priorities and work of the CHA

• Oversees CHA development activity and acquisition opportunities, including ownership structure,

financing, assembling the development team and project/construction management

• Ensures that housing developments and programs are designed with input from and accessibility

for diverse populations, especially those disproportionately affected by the housing crisis

• Forms and maintains partnerships with housing developers, builders, and operators

• Advises developers on a range of options for achieving affordability in public-private partnership

models

• Supervises CHA deed restriction programs, including collaboration with the jurisdiction or partner

entity, homebuyer/tenant eligibility verification, real estate closings (if applicable), compliance

monitoring, and annual recertification; Maintains and refines annually, as needed, related CHA

policies such as Community Guidelines for Deed Restricted Housing Units; Advises and advocates

for inclusive policies that address systemic inequities in housing accessibility and affordability

• Oversees the construction of capital projects, including design coordination, project/schedule

management, financial management, communication, lender management, granting reporting,

coordination of owner’s rep and construction team, procurement, and project close-out

• Partners with local affordable housing developers, including relationship management,

negotiation and management of contracts and agreements

• Provides information and advocacy on behalf of CHA for affordable housing policies and projects

at planning commissions and council meetings of local municipalities

• Manages due diligence, pre-development activities, and preparation and submission of financing

applications to lenders and grant providers for future projects that the CHA has an ownership

stake or partner role in

• Oversees property management and operations of Jane’s Place, the 505 Apartments and other

future projects, including marketing the units, maintaining a tenant waitlist, conducting

background checks, writing tenant leases, collecting rent, promoting a positive community

culture, grant reporting, and staying abreast of landlord-tenant laws

• Oversees special limited partnerships for tax abatement and partial ownership

• Oversees planning for and conduct of the CHA’s established and ad hoc committees, including

CHA Finance Committee, CHA Development Committee, and Jane’s Place Committee

EDUCATION, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY:

• Conducts community engagement activities to develop an understanding and educate community

residents on affordable housing issues in the community

• Serves as an advocate for affordable housing efforts within the CHA member jurisdictions

• Engages with municipalities to identify potential and existing incentives/ assistance/ efficiencies

for developing affordable housing within higher density areas of the jurisdiction

• Initiates an outreach program with builders/developers, making them aware of incentives to

include affordable housing within their development plans

• Assists county and municipalities in working with owners of affordable housing to ensure that

their properties are safe and secure for tenants

• Proactively provides advice and assistance to proposed affordable housing developments

• Assists member jurisdictions analyzing and adapting land use codes, building codes, and public

policy to support outcomes in the CHA strategic plan

• Serves as a central repository/distribution center for information regarding affordable housing

• Develops a marketing plan with consistent messaging and media presence

• Oversees Public Relations including providing public presentations, developing media responses

and drafting and finalizing press releases

• Oversees planning for the CHA Education, PR & Advocacy Committee in collaboration with the

committee chair

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university and preferably a master’s

degree in a relevant field

• Six or more years of progressively responsible experience, including leadership roles, with a

minimum of three years of experience in the development of affordable housing; or,

• Six or more years of experience in public administration

• Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge,

skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job

• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a personal motor vehicle is required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

 Sit for extended periods of time.

 Operate computer and keyboard for extended periods of time.

 Move up and down stairs; move throughout office spaces and similar buildings.

 Transport oneself to various locations across the county such as by walking, biking, or driving a

vehicle.

 Push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel and/or lift up to 10 pounds occasionally and

sometimes up to 20 pounds.

 Engage in repetitive motions with wrists, hands and/or fingers.

 Hear, understand and speak detailed speech in person, via telephone and computer speaker, and

distinguish sounds and alarms common in an office environment.

 Near and far visual acuity, peripheral vision.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Work is typically performed in a typical climate-controlled indoor

office environment, requiring the ability to move up and down stairs and over uneven surfaces. The

employee may be exposed to noise, mechanical and electrical, and other related hazards associated

with an office environment. Employee will be expected to perform occasional work outside of the

office, such as for off-site meetings, community events, and site visits.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chaffee Housing Authority considers applications for all positions without regard to race, color,

religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, the presence of a medical condition or

disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,

marital status, genetic information or any other legally protected status.