Senior Housing Policy Specialist (PROVISIONAL)

The Senior Housing Policy Specialist works with the City of Buffalo Director of Development, the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP), and the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) to develop and implement housing investment priorities that meet the City’s economic and community development goals, and that positively impact the lives of the residents of Buffalo. The Specialist will work closely with the Spatial Data Analysis and Neighborhood Planning teams in OSP to ensure that the strategy is data-driven, and with the Real Estate team to ensure the strategy incorporates City priorities related to real estate and redevelopment. The Specialist will conduct research to ensure that programs and policies continue to adapt to national best practices. The Specialist will work to institutionalize the housing vision and strategic plan within the City’s Four-Year Plan, Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, and will provide advice on all program and project development and public investments related to housing issues. The position reports to the Director of Development in the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning, while also working with the Directors of Real Estate and Planning on relevant initiatives.

· Researches housing and community development programs and activities to provide City and OSP leadership memos on affordable housing development, promoting and preserving homeownership, rent stabilization, housing repair and rehabilitation, neighborhood-level housing strategies, housing market change, and housing assistance

· Leads strategic planning efforts in collaboration and as support for relevant OSP director-level staff, including but not limited to convening City and public-sector agencies with non-profit, private-sector, and financial partners to prioritize and leverage public investments in housing

· Coordinates and contributes to ongoing community engagement processes in support of OSP initiatives that deal with housing

· Organizes internal and external meetings with City staff and partners

· Works with all Directors in OSP to identify program types, geographic areas, and other priorities for housing-related investment

· Disseminates program information by phone or correspondence and may make oral presentations to individuals or groups

· Performs related duties as required

(A) Master’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education, in urban planning, public policy, public administration, or a closely related area of study, plus 3 years of professional experience in housing and community development;

OR

(B) Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education. /U.S. Secretary of Education, in urban planning, public policy, public administration, or closely related area of study plus 5 years of professional experience in housing and community development.

Special Requirement

Possession of a New York State Driver’s License that must be presented at the time of appointment and maintained during employment. As a condition of employment, appointee must establish and maintain residency within the City of Buffalo during their tenure of employment. Residency must be established within 90 days of starting date of employment.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

· Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection

· Knowledge of effective writing techniques

· Knowledge of or experience in community development

· Knowledge of relevant Federal programs

· Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, database management, or GIS

· Oral communication and interpersonal skills to present research findings to various boards and committees

· Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined practical problems

· Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously

· Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed

· Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind

THE CITY OF BUFFALO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. 

Salary : $70,277 - $82,910