Honors Fellow Program

Overview

NJHMFA is a governmental agency that advances the quality of life for residents of and communities throughout New Jersey by investing in, financing, and facilitating access to affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with specialized housing needs

Honors Fellow Program:

Posting: https://phh.tbe.taleo.net/phh03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=NEWJERSH2&cws=1&rid=586

NJHMFA is looking for recent college graduates, individuals nearing completion of either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or individuals pursuing advanced degrees, to participate in an innovative program.  The Honors Fellow Program (“Program”) is designed to be a twelve (12) month  on-the-job training opportunity.  The Program will introduce participants to various aspects of the development and financing of affordable housing throughout the state.  Honors Fellows will learn about, and assist in, program development and implementation, research, and participate in special projects. Honors Fellows will be provided the opportunity to work on projects involving the new construction of affordable housing, rehabilitation and rental housing, mortgage assistance, and foreclosure prevention.  Honors Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in an intra-divisional rotation (several units within one division) or a practice area/cross-divisional rotation (a rotation across multiple divisions with similar practice areas).  Successful applicants will have the ability to select a rotation, offering the chance to learn about the Agency’s vital role in housing and to discover his/her particular interests during the one-year program.  Upon successful program completion, Honors Fellows will have a robust understanding of the Agency’s mission and vision, and the opportunity to apply to a position in one of the Agency’s  divisions (in conjunction with Agency needs and budget).   This is a 12-month program.  The rotation groups include:

Rotations:

•   Intra-divisional:  MultiFamily: The division performs financial analysis of multifamily rental developments and supportive housing loan applications, develop financial feasibility strategies for projects utilizing various financial structures and review and interpret regulations.
•    Intra-divisional:  Single Family:   The Division fosters home ownership in New Jersey, focused on low – to moderate- income first time homebuyers, through first mortgages, down payment assistance programs, and oversees affordable financing. Fellows will learn about the residential housing market, the mortgage industry, and how affordable housing is administered in NJ.
•   Practice Area/Cross-divisional:   Policy/Regulatory Affairs/Marketing: Policy works across divisions to produce research, reports, and recommendations in furtherance of HMFA’s mission.  Marketing and Policy work together on press releases and responses to legislative inquiries on programs.  Legal oversees Agency rule changes, policy initiatives, public requests for information, etc. 

Honors Fellows will participate in the following duties as appropriate:  1. Assist in data collection for Agency programs. 2. Assist in research, program development, evaluation process and procedures. 3. Respond to requests for information internally and from various government entities such as DCA and the Governor’s Office. 4. Assist in responding to requests for information by the public. 5. Assist in review of mortgage loan commitments and closing documents. 6. Assist in the development of Agency policies. 7. Assist in Agency program compliance. 8. Assist in drafting revisions to Agency regulations. 9. Assist with special projects as assigned. 10. Assist in all aspects of project financing. 12. Assist in Board meeting preparation. 13. Assist in other duties as needed. Indivduals hired under NJHMFA’s Honors Fellow Program are full-time Agency employees with benefits including healthcare.  This program is designed for those interested in state government service, specifically in affordable housing in New Jersey.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

(Range 7) ($41,000-58,000) Associate’s (2-year) degree, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities (Range 8) ($45,000-$63,000) Bachelor’s (4-year) degree OR two (2) year degree AND three (3) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience that meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SKILLS:

Range 7  a. Ability to perform financial calculations. b. Ability to analyze and prepare financial statements and draw appropriate conclusions. c. Ability to accurately enter and retrieve computer data. d. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the general public. e. Ability to communicate effectively, orally, in writing and to listen actively. f. Ability to organize and accomplish multiple assignments simultaneously. g. Maintain positive work atmosphere in an appropriate manner of behavior which ensures. cooperation and effective communication with customers, clients, peers and management. h.  Familiarity with Microsoft Suite. Range 8  a. Knowledge of accounting principles. b. Ability to perform financial calculations and draw conclusions. c. Ability to communicate effectively, orally, in writing and to listen actively. d. Ability to analyze financial statements and draw conclusions. e. Ability to accurately enter and retrieve computer data. f. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the general public. g. Ability to organize and accomplish multiple assignments simultaneously. h. Ability to apply complex regulations to varying situations. i. Maintain positive work atmosphere in an appropriate manner of behavior which ensures cooperation and effective communication with customers, clients, peers and management. j. Familiarity with Microsoft Suite.

BENEFITS

NJHMFA provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes the following: health, dental and prescription drug plans; personal, sick and vacation days, and paid holidays.

Residency in the State of New Jersey is required of all employees with an agency of the State in accordance with the New Jersey First Act, N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70).  Employees must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.

The NJHMFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer in compliance with all Federal, State and Local Regulations. NJHMFA provides equal employment opportunity to both individuals with veteran status and individuals with disabilities.  Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.