Application Guide

How to Apply for Program Director/Manager, PRICE Grant Program

at ROC USA

🏢 About ROC USA

ROC USA is a national nonprofit social enterprise and CDFI dedicated to preserving affordable homeownership in manufactured home communities. By empowering residents to collectively purchase and govern their communities as cooperatives, the organization creates lasting, resident-owned housing solutions. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven team that directly impacts housing stability and community empowerment.

About This Role

As Program Director/Manager for the PRICE Grant Program, you will oversee the administration of a $38.1M HUD grant, managing compliance, subrecipient agreements, and reporting across infrastructure, infill housing, and community acquisition. This role is critical to ensuring funds are used effectively to expand resident-owned communities and advance affordable housing nationwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing grant compliance reports and coordinating with subrecipients on infrastructure projects. You'll likely attend a virtual meeting with HUD officials or state partners, then work on financial reconciliation and prepare for an upcoming site visit. Afternoons could involve drafting a future grant application or troubleshooting a compliance issue with the legal team.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who ROC USA Is Looking For

  • A seasoned federal grant manager with 5+ years of experience, including at least 3 years directly managing HUD programs like CDBG or HOME, and a proven track record of compliance and financial reporting.
  • An expert in navigating complex federal regulations, with the ability to coordinate multiple activity areas and subrecipients while maintaining meticulous documentation.
  • A strong communicator and project manager who can lead cross-functional teams, liaise with HUD officials, and build partnerships with state and local entities.
  • Someone passionate about affordable housing and cooperative ownership, with a bachelor's degree in public administration, finance, or nonprofit management.

📝 Tips for Applying to ROC USA

1

Highlight specific HUD grant experience (e.g., CDBG, HOME) in your resume with quantifiable results, such as grant amounts managed and compliance outcomes.

2

Tailor your cover letter to mention your familiarity with manufactured housing or cooperative models; even brief exposure can set you apart.

3

Emphasize your ability to work remotely and manage complex projects independently, as this role is fully remote with likely national travel.

4

Prepare a one-page summary of how you've handled a large federal grant lifecycle, including subrecipient oversight and closeout, to attach as a supplement.

5

Research ROC USA's current PRICE grant announcement and mention specific activity areas (infrastructure, infill, acquisition) in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your direct experience with HUD grants, especially CDBG or HOME, and specific examples of ensuring compliance and managing reporting.', 'Your ability to coordinate across multiple workstreams (infrastructure, infill, acquisition) and manage subrecipient agreements.', "Your commitment to affordable housing and resident ownership, aligning with ROC USA's mission of preserving manufactured home communities.", 'Your project management skills, including experience leading grant applications and partnerships with state/local entities.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ROC USA's website and recent annual reports to understand their cooperative model and impact metrics.
  • → Read the HUD PRICE grant program guidelines and ROC USA's specific grant announcement (if available) to grasp the scope and requirements.
  • → Look into manufactured housing challenges and the role of resident-owned communities (ROCs) to demonstrate industry awareness.
  • → Check ROC USA's blog or news section for recent updates on the PRICE grant or partner projects.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience managing a HUD grant from start to finish, including how you handled compliance and reporting.
2 How would you coordinate across three activity areas (infrastructure, infill, acquisition) to ensure timely and compliant use of funds?
3 Describe a time you managed a subrecipient agreement that went off track. How did you resolve it?
4 What strategies would you use to prepare a future PRICE grant application and build partnerships with state and local entities?
5 How do you stay organized and communicate effectively in a remote work environment, especially with multiple stakeholders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention HUD grant experience or the PRICE program specifically.
  • Overlooking the cooperative ownership model; failing to show understanding of ROC USA's mission can signal misalignment.
  • Underestimating the compliance burden; avoid vague statements about grant management without detailing federal regulations and reporting.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to ROC USA!

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