Associate Housing Planner

The Associate Housing Planner will be a key member of the Community Development Department’s Housing Division inclusionary rental housing program team.  As a member of the Housing Division’s team, the Associate Planner will work with rental applicants, tenants, other City staff, non-profit organizations, Cambridge Housing Authority, private housing developers and managers, lenders and other housing advocates and service providers.  The Associate Housing Planner will manage housing applicant pools, tenant selection, leasing, and recertifications for the City’s rental housing program, and conduct workshops to assist residents in need of housing assistance.  The Associate Housing Planner will participate in outreach events to publicize the City’s housing programs.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Work with housing applicants through all phases of the application process and review of eligibility requirements including income certification;
• Review and process annual recertifications of tenant eligibility for resident compliance with program requirements;
• Manage tenant selection for available rental units; work with property managers to coordinate applicant review, offering and leasing of affordable units to selected applicants;
• Coordinate and conduct workshops to educate residents on housing options in the city and counsel housing applicants for on available options;
• Manage housing marketing and outreach efforts; work with Communications Manager to develop marketing and outreach materials for print, web, and social media; organize and conduct program information sessions and attend community events to publicize available housing assistance;
• Develop and maintain relationships with residents, property managers, lenders, and other agencies and service providers;
• Maintain and manage applicant information and preference groups in program management software;
• Compile, report and analyze data on program utilization for program evaluation, management, and goal setting;
• Assist with other City housing programs and special projects as needed;
• Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The Associate Housing Planner should be a self-motivated, detail-oriented professional who is ready to work as part of a team to house residents in affordable homes, and to provide housing-related services and counseling to households in need of affordable housing.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 4 years professional experience, preferably in housing program management or community outreach.  Master’s in urban planning, housing policy, or related field and at least 2 years professional experience preferred. 
• Experience with affordable housing programs, income and program eligibility review, application management;
• Commitment to working in a community that values diversity and experience working with diverse community groups
• Superior customer service skills, excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; strong computer skills including demonstrated proficiency with essential software (Word, Excel, Access)
• Ability to set priorities and to work independently and efficiently to manage individual responsibilities
• Ability to work collaboratively and proactively as a team player to achieve team goals
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, tasks, and interactions in a fast-paced office environment while remaining attentive to accuracy of work
• Ability to explain complex information on program requirements and processes to housing applicants and in public settings
• Experience with program outreach and marketing including use of web and social media.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with affordable housing management software (Emphasys)
• Experience with data aggregation and program analysis
• Knowledge of the Cambridge community
• Proficiency in Amharic, Haitian/Creole, Portuguese or Spanish

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Work involves frequent evening meetings, travelling throughout the city to housing locations, driving, walking, and climbing stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting, public meetings to present available housing opportunities and application requirements and process, and visits to building sites, some of which may be under construction.

RATE:             $60,818 - $85,874/year + excellent benefits