Senior Researcher

Firm: California Housing Partnership
Location:
San Francisco, CA

Payment: Paid
Start Date: Sep 12, 2016
Category: Housing
Contact: Matt Schwartz
mschwartz@chpc.net
415-433-6804 x311
Posted: Aug 23, 2016

About the position:
The Senior Researcher has primary responsibility for designing and implementing the California Housing Partnership’s research program in order to educate stakeholders and policymakers on the need for and benefits of public investment in affordable rental housing for low-income households in California. S/he will help lead CHPC’s research agenda, including prioritizing research needs and managing the daily implementation of research initiatives. This position works with other CHPC staff to identify research opportunities to further support their work, and coordinates studies and the dissemination of findings with external partners engaged in similar work.

The Senior Researcher is a part of the Senior Leadership Team, and is expected to take a lead role in creating and sustaining a positive organizational culture and to influence others to have positive impact. S/he actively participates in or leads team and employee meetings, retreats, or initiatives, helps create opportunities to improve efficiencies, and encourages creativity, innovation, collaboration, and problem solving throughout the organization.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Research and Communications
• Maintain and expand CHPC’s role as the leading source of information regarding the need for and benefits of public investment in affordable rental housing for low-income households in California by collecting, analyzing and synthesizing research from a wide variety of sources.
• Communicate findings and implications by writing reports, case studies and blogs to educate policy-makers and the general public, including through our annual statewide and county-level housing need reports.
• Use mapping and other graphics to communicate information on affordable housing investment and policies.
• Track and respond to research by academics, think tanks, and government agencies in California and beyond regarding the need for and impacts of investment in affordable housing and equitable sustainable communities policy.
• Build and sustain relationships with like-minded organizations and participate in research partnerships and policy alliances.

General Duties
• Create and implement the annual work plan and budget for the research program.
• Support the President and CEO and Director of Operations in identifying and pursuing grants and other funding to support research activities.
• Provide technical assistance to state and local governments on affordable housing policy and preservation through presentations, webinars, and consulting services.
• Organize panels, workshops, and meetings to share research findings and connect research to policy development and implementation.
• Oversee publication of a monthly newsletter covering various topics related to housing policy.
• Advise Housing Policy Analyst on methods of acquiring, analyzing, and presenting affordable housing data and assessing risk to affordable housing units using the CHPC Preservation Clearinghouse and Database

Required qualifications:
• Commitment to addressing the housing needs of low-income Californians
• Masters degree in related field (public policy, city planning, economics, other social sciences with a mix of quantitative and qualitative skills considered)
• At least three years of experience in affordable rental housing
• Exceptional analysis, research, writing and speaking skills.
• Highly detail oriented and committed to double check all work for accuracy and quality.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities, juggle multiple tasks, and meet assigned deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to thrive in a close working environment with evolving priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Macintosh OSx, and traditional office equipment is essential.

Desired / Preferred:
• PhD in related field.
• Significant experience in affordable housing policy and/or research.
• Familiarity with datasets on housing and housing affordability, such as census, PUMS and CHAS data.
• Proficiency with FileMaker Pro, GIS Mapping software, SPSS and/or Stata or other statistical analysis software
• Experience designing and improving complex database systems.

Job Type: Exempt, Full Time
Supervised by: President & CEO
Supervises: Housing Policy Analyst, Intern (as applicable)

The California Housing Partnership believes that diversity is an asset. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage diverse applicants to apply.