Summary
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.
