Preservation and Regional Fellow

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that develops programs, advocates for policies, and delivers the capital to produce and preserve affordable housing for low-income families with the goal of advancing racial and economic equity. Our Northern California office seeks solutions to a range of the most relevant and pressing affordable housing issues facing California, especially the Bay Area. As an intermediary, Enterprise provides technical assistance, convenes practitioners and advocacy coalitions, and collaborates with cross-sector partners including public agencies, community-based organizations, affordable housing developers, researchers, and funders. Our policy and program priorities include:

- Expand resources and eliminate barriers for the production and preservation of housing that low- and moderate-income Californians can afford;

- Promote racial equity, economic opportunity, and resident power for people historically excluded from shaping the decisions that affect their lives and those of their communities;

- Prevent low-income Californians from experiencing homelessness, displacement, housing instability, and poor-quality housing conditions, particularly renters; and

- Advance inclusive and equitable development that promotes housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and climate and community resilience.

Enterprise is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and a healthy and welcoming work environment. We believe successful teams include people from different backgrounds and experiences with fresh perspectives. We seek a diverse pool of applicants, including those from underrepresented groups and people with lived experience of housing insecurity.Job Description

The Program Fellow plays an integral role in supporting two programs: Preservation and Region. Our preservation program focuses on acquiring and rehabilitating the existing stock of affordable housing, especially housing that currently lacks permanent affordability restrictions, with the goals of preventing displacement and homelessness, increasing neighborhood stability, and responding to community needs. Our regional work focuses on building the housing infrastructure needed to advance affordable housing production, preservation, and protection strategies in the 9-county Bay Area; projects include incubating the newly established Bay Area Housing Finance Agency and securing significant funding.  

 Supporting several projects, the Program Fellow will carry out a range of tasks which include providing meeting support, delivering technical assistance, conducting research and data analysis, and producing communication materials. We are seeking a candidate with exceptional writing and analytical skills willing to do a range of tasks to ensure high-quality work products. This fellowship provides a great opportunity to deepen one’s knowledge of affordable housing practice and learn first-hand how the work of a community development intermediary impacts policy and program implementation.

This is a 12-month position with potential to grow into a full-time position pending funding. The Program Fellow will report to the Program Director for Preservation and work closely with the Senior Director.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborative Support. Support staff in managing collaborative relationships for which Enterprise serves as a backbone organization or convener. This includes logistics, agenda and workplan development, notetaking, and creating meeting materials.
• Research, Writing and Data Analysis. Research, write, and summarize best practices, programs, and policies pertaining to affordable housing and community development. For preservation this may include alternative models of ownership and management. Conduct data analysis such as maintaining a regional database of affordable units for the region.
• Technical Assistance. Support the delivery of technical assistance to public agencies and community-based organizations pursuing preservation and production strategies. This includes creating implementation plans, performing consultations, developing workshop materials, and administering grants and contracts.
• Policy and Legislation Support. Assist with research and developing materials for policy and legislation in coordination with the State and Local Policy Director.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in city planning, public policy, public administration or other related field with at least two (2) years of relevant work experience. Graduate degree may be substituted for years of experience. Graduate degree in city planning, public policy, or public administration is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in the areas of affordable housing and community development, particularly acquisition-rehab of existing properties. Familiarity with concepts related to alternative ownership models, such as limited-equity cooperatives and community land trusts.
• Knowledge about the Bay Area’s current racial, economic, and political landscape as it relates to housing and community development.

Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Strong data and analytical skills.
• Ability to research and synthesize information quickly and effectively to produce high-quality and visually appealing materials and presentations that are data- and research-driven.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Experience and fluency with mapping, data, and graphics programs preferred.

Work Environment:

• Candidate must be able to work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment and be able to manage simultaneous projects. 
• Commitment to actively participate in team-oriented activities and building our office culture.
• Ability to operate independently.
• Ability to reflect upon successes and failures constructively and openly.
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