VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY

UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

invites your interest in the position of

DIRECTOR of ASSET MANAGEMENT

UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

The U. S. Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.) is home to about 105,000 residents. The U. S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, and many other surrounding minor islands. The total land area of the territory is about 134 square miles. The territory's capital is Charlotte Amalie on the island of Saint Thomas.

The U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated territory of the United States.American citizens can freely travel and work in the U.S.V.I. If you are not an American then you will be required to secure a resident alien status, work visa, student visa and/or temporary visa - as you would have to do in order to live and work in the United States mainland.

Previously known as the Danish West Indies of the Kingdom of Denmark, they were sold to the United States by Denmark in the Treaty of the Danish West Indies of 1916. The United States took possession of the islands on March 31, 1917 and the territory was renamed the Virgin Islands of the United States. U.S. citizenship was granted to the inhabitants of the islands in 1927.

Tourism is the primary economic activity. The islands normally host 2million visitors a year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. Additionally, the islands frequently are a starting point for private yacht charters to the neighboring British Virgin Islands.

The manufacturing sector consists of mainly rumdistilling. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. Most energy is also generated from imported fuel, leading to electricity costs that areconsiderably higher than the U.S. mainland. The Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport serves St. Croix and the Cyril E. King International Airport serves St. Thomas and St. John.

The U.S. Virgin Islands is the only U.S. jurisdiction which drives on the left. This was inherited from what was then-current practice on the islands at the time of the 1917 transfer.

VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY

The stated mission of the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA) is:

"To create vibrant, dynamic, sustainable communities so families can evolve economically, and to improve lives and strengthen communities through quality, safe and affordable housing and by providing a myriad of services to empower public housing residents."

The Mission builds upon VIHA's Vision. It communicates the essence of VIHA's stakeholders and includes VIHA's purpose statement, business statement and the values and beliefs held by our members. It is one guiding set of ideas articulated, understood and supported by our stakeholders, board, staff, volunteers, donors, clients and collaborators.

VIHA is a public housing corporation that operates under the provisions of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended, the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 and the Virgin Islands Code.

The birth of VIHA dates back as far as 1941 when the municipal councils of both St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix passed an ordinance consolidating municipal housing authorities into a single agency, the Virgin Islands Housing and Redevelopment Authority (VIHRA), with tri-island jurisdiction. In 1962, Act No. 903 of the Virgin Islands Legislature established the agency as the Virgin Islands Housing Authority.

VIHA is empowered with the responsibility for planning, financing, constructing, maintaining and managing public housing developments on the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas, which comprise approximately 15% of the total territorial housing stock.

Learn more by visiting the official website of VIHA

THE ASSET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT & THE DIRECTOR

VIHA’sAsset Management housing properties are comprised of about 3,300 housing units with 1,500 on St. Thomas and 1,800 on St. Croix. Including the Director, the department has approximately 166 employees and a 2016 fiscal year budget of $26,674,945.

In general, the Director of Asset Management performs a variety of complex and diverse managerial and administrative duties pertaining to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the VIHA’s Asset Management housing properties and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. The Director revises policies, procedures, and plans to ensure and maintain program compliance with HUD’s changing regulations and guidelines and makes administrative and management decisions concerning overall operations of applicable plans. The position is responsible for VIHAachieving a high performance rating concerning HUD agency scoring systems such as Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and other future HUD required evaluation systems.

The Director receives direct instructions from the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and indirect instructions from the Executive Director regarding agency goals, their priorities, and special assignments. The Director provides guidance to subordinates in the Asset Management and Resident Services Departments, developing activities, setting priorities, establishing timelines, and modifying or making changes as necessary in the course of achieving goals or objectives.

VIHA is looking for an experienced, innovativeDirectorwith strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will provide exceptional leadership as he/she manages major projects. He/She will have extensiveexperience working in property management and with mixed finance developments. Collaborative, results-oriented, commitment to excellence should all describe the new Director,who will also use an engaging and hands-on management style.

The ideal candidate is a relationship builder with a passion for public service, who exercises a value system based on transparency and integrity that creates a high level of trust and confidence throughout the organization.

The new Director will be a manager with a high energy level, capable of operating with significant independence and initiative, and open to innovative problem solving solutions. He/She must be able to mentor and challenge staff and promote staff development. He/Shewill be skillful in leading by example, building trust, developing consensus, and facilitating a positive team environment. The new Director will empower staff to achieve mutually developed goals and objectives and will hold staff accountable for results. He/She will pay particular attention to enhancing the resident experience and improving curb appeal.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university and at least seven (7) years of demonstrable experience in managing a large portfolio of affordable/public housing properties at a housing authority or private management company. Seven years experience with HUD regulatory environment and Asset Management or in an administrative capacity in property management or low income public housing. Experience managing LIHTC portfolio and development of affordable housing are essential.

The following Certifications must be obtained within one (1) year of employment or other allowable period of hire as authorized by the Executive Director:

 Public Housing Manager Occupancy Specialist

 Rent Calculation  Enterprise Income Verification System (EIV)

 Fair Housing Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS)

 Supervisory Maintenance

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

In addition to the salary hiring range of $63,784 - $102,120(depending onqualifications), VIHA is offering a comprehensive and generousbenefits package including:

  • Paid Holidays (16 annually)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Sick Leave
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pharmacy Coverage
  • Membership to the Government Employees' Retirement System (GERS).

Relocation assistance will also be available for a successful out of area candidate.

HOW TO APPLY

For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact W. D. Higginbotham, Jr., Senior Vice President, The Mercer Group, Inc., at 727-214-8673,

A letter of interest and resume should be sent

electronically by 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, July 8, 2016to:

W. D. Higginbotham, Jr.

Senior Vice President

The Mercer Group, Inc.

Email -

The Virgin Islands Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Virgin Islands Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, political ideas, or disability in employment or in the provision of services.

The Mercer Group, Inc. for the Director of Asset Management of VIHA Page 1