Housing Specialist I

Description

HOUSING SPECIALIST I

Housing Division
Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a Housing Specialist I to join the Housing Division in the Community Development Department. Under direction of the Housing Officer, the Housing Specialist I will play a key role in the planning and development of new affordable housing, creating new housing programs, implementing the Housing Element, applying for grants/funding to support affordable housing, and monitoring housing legislation. The Housing Specialist I will perform technical and professional level planning and community development work, with an emphasis on creation and implementation of affordable housing programs. This position will closely collaborate with affordable housing developers, various housing advocacy groups, local non-profits, and the community. The ideal candidate will be a passionate affordable housing professional who is a motivated self-starter able to work independently, while also being a team player who can communicate effectively with supervisors, colleagues, consultants, and decision-makers. Creativity, critical thinking, public speaking, and the ability to perform research and analyses are essential traits.

The Housing Division is a passionate and hardworking group of professionals dedicated to meeting the housing, human services, and unhoused service needs of the community. We work collaboratively to achieve our housing goals and foster an innovative and team-focused work environment. The City continues to be a leader in supporting affordable housing and implementing dynamic housing programs. Since the 1980's, the City has awarded more than $100 million in City housing funds towards developing or preserving affordable housing, and awards over $1.5 million in federal funds annually.

For a complete job description, please click here: Housing Specialist I/II

Under direction of the Housing Officer, performs professional work in affordable housing development, affordable housing assistance programs, housing policy, urban planning, research and analysis; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Housing Specialist I is a journey level classification in which incumbents are expected to perform work under general but limited supervision, while learning related policies and procedures. The Housing Specialist is distinguished from the lower-level classification Housing Programs Analyst due to the higher complexity of assignments and additional coordination with Planning projects. The Housing Specialist is distinguished from the Housing Specialist II by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the Housing Specialist II level. As experience is gained, there is a greater independence of action within established guidelines. Incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher-level classification. Incumbents are not automatically promoted to the higher level; the needs of the department determine the level of assignment.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Processes affordable housing planning applications; reviews and analyzes land use impacts and compliance with local and State regulations and City policies.
• Manages the City's General Plan Housing Element and assist with necessary updates and RHNA preparation as required.
• Prepares a variety of technical and administrative reports, documents and correspondence; makes presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council and at other public hearings and community meetings.
• Conducts studies and prepares and presents corresponding reports.
• Evaluates and reviews development plans for compliance; prepares reports, Initial Studies, ordinances, and research and communicates with applicants, consultants, staff and members of the public.
• Coordinates project reviews with other city departments and outside agencies.
• Assists in the identification and preparation of grant applications.
• Represents the Community Development Department at meetings and conferences as assigned.
• Works with non-profit and for-profit developers of affordable housing, financial institutions, bond counsels, consultants, architects, city departments and others to develop affordable housing for targeted populations.
• Coordinates and develops programs and projects to produce affordable housing and assist low/moderate income households.
• Ensures compliance with State and regional housing legislation and reporting requirements including progress in achieving the Regional Housing Needs Allocation and other mandates.
• Prepares required reports to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area governments and other agencies.
• Collects, archives, analyzes, interprets and manipulates housing construction, ownership and market data and trends.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, books and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

Housing Specialist I

Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following ways:

(1) a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, public administration, business administration, architecture, public policy, or a related field; AND Three years of professional housing programs/policy experience, real estate development, or land use planning program experience; OR

(2) a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture or a related field; AND Two years of professional housing programs/policy experience, real estate development, or land use planning program experience

Knowledge of:

• Basic planning and design principles, practices and current trends.
• General understanding of zoning, land use and environmental laws.
• Principles of research.
• Basic math and statistical methods.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of housing development, development feasibility assessments, real estate pro-forma analysis.
• Public and private financing methods for housing.
• Program development, monitoring and evaluation techniques.

Ability to:

• Gather and analyze data on land use, population, urban growth patterns, economic and social trends, and other demographic data used in land use and housing planning for the purpose of preparing and presenting accurate and concise written reports and making presentation at public forums.
• Interpret, apply and explain zoning and land use principles, laws and regulations.
• Read and understand maps, architectural drawings and plans, and reports.
• Analyze and compile information and determine appropriate course of action.
• Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Prepare detailed written reports; recommend actions to be taken, and present at Advisory Body and City Council meetings
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, public officials and the general public.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Identify housing and community development needs and recommend appropriate solutions.

Willingness to:
Attend weekend and evening meetings.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrated experience developing and delivering public presentations.

Application and Selection Process

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application period closes on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 5:00pm (postmarks or faxes are not accepted). Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at https://sunnyvale.ca.gov , and click on 'City Jobs'. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025 . (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of March 17, 2025.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification' or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA) . For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job - YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association SEA

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 2/24/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Sunnyvale

• 408-730-3017

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