The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is seeking an experienced individual for the position of Senior Housing Policy Analyst to provide a variety of analytical and administrative support functions aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing in Rockville by providing analysis of programmatic policies, practices and procedures; making recommendations for operational policy and procedure changes, conducting needs assessments, feasibility studies, and research for assigned projects. Works to support city and departmental goals that address critical housing needs by serving as a subject matter expert and forging effective partnerships with other housing agencies, county departments, outside agencies and governments, contractors, elected and appointed officials, businesses, private and non-profit agencies, community groups and the general public.
Reporting to the Director of Housing and Community Development, this position will assist the City of Rockville in accomplishing its mission to contribute toward addressing the city’s housing need and creating opportunities for long term economic stability for new and current residents. As part of the HCD team, the person in this position must be a leader committed to excellence and growth. The position oversees housing policy, fosters new partnerships, and provides input and expertise to achieve the departmental mission. As such, we seek a candidate who values diversity and inclusion; thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic office environment; and possesses strong writing, oral communication, problem-solving, time management, and relationship management skills.
Essential Job Functions
- Research, analyze, amend, and help develop affordable housing policy solutions that address city’s housing needs.
- Participate in the structuring of affordable housing agreements (i.e., MPDU sales offerings; and MPDU rental agreements), development finance packages, and other related documents
- Conduct, prepare and present a variety of analytical and operational studies regarding programmatic activities, identify questions, issues, and alternatives, make recommendations, and assist with the implementation of procedural changes after approval; prepare comprehensive technical records and reports, identify alternatives and justify recommendations.
- Manage and coordinate complex projects and activities.
- Conduct effective management, administrative, and operational studies.
- Research a wide variety of program topics including program structuring, contract feasibility, budget proposals, new service delivery models and operational alternatives.
- Participate in and monitor the progress of affordable housing-related collaborations and initiatives in which the Housing and Community Development Department is participating and engage in problem-solving as needed when challenges arise.
- Participate in the development of strategic plans, objectives and implement strategies for Housing and Community Development Department outreach, technical assistance, and partnership initiatives.
- Implement and monitor housing supply-related activities and initiatives.
- Develop requests for proposals for professional services and administers the advertising and bid processes; develops general evaluation criteria, evaluates proposals and recommends project awards; oversees program staff on projects who administer contracts after award; ensure contractor compliance with agency standards, specifications, time and budget estimates; analyze and resolve problems that may arise.
- Investigate and develop new ideas and opportunities for the Housing and Community Development Department to provide support and assistance to cities, housing developers, housing advocates, and others by facilitating the creation of housing.
- Support senior staff in synthesizing research findings to identify and recommend best practices in program or policy interventions, and equip senior staff and elected officials with guidance in the form of templates, toolkits, blogs, and other accessible products
- Support the execution of virtual and in-person roundtables, working groups, and other meetings by coordinating logistics, engaging partners, developing agendas and meeting content, taking notes, and summarizing action items
- Draft assigned sections of reports, talking points, and presentations for external audiences
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
- Support and prepare senior staff for regular internal and external meetings
- Serve as representative on and/or present information to various boards, committees and community groups.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Master’s Degree or Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience in public policy in housing, development finance, community development, or economic development.
As a condition of employment, all new hires, including part-time, temporary and seasonal employees, reporting to the worksite, as well as working remotely, are required to have received at least the first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their start date. New hires will be required to receive any additional doses (including the booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine in a manner and schedule consistent with the current CDC guidelines. Weekly COVID-19 testing will be required until fully vaccinated.
New hires, except individuals who have worked for the City any time after October 8, 2021, may submit a request for a religious or medical accommodation (exemption). All requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. New hires will be required to submit weekly COVID-19 test results if they are approved for a medical or religious accommodation (exemption).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external audiences; experience engaging and communicating with external clients and stakeholders
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working both independently and in team environments supporting collaborative projects
- Ability to perform responsible and difficult administrative work involving the use of independent judgement and personal initiative.
- An emerging capacity with policy analysis in affordable housing, economic development, community development, anti-poverty, or other social and economic policy topics, with an interest in racial and socioeconomic equity and addressing structural racism as a cross-cutting issue
- Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner, consider alternatives and recommend sound solutions.
- Organize, set own priorities and perform assignments to meet critical deadlines from management staff with minimal direction
- Ability to establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with a wide variety of people at all levels, including those from government, business, private and non-profit agencies, community groups and the public
- Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgement in politically sensitive situations and appropriately escalate and/or inform higher level management as necessary.
- Ability to foresee, identify and analyze operational and/or administrative problems, consider alternatives and recommend choices for resolution.
- Ability and willingness to work across multiple policy domains and to support interdisciplinary work
- A willingness to learn and demonstrate the initiative to suggest improvements or innovations for tasks and project responsibilities
- An ability to adapt to changes in work assignments, deadlines, and project management styles