Principal Housing Policy Analyst

Overview

The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) is to make Boston a more equitable and inclusive city where all residents can thrive. MOH oversees programs that create and preserve affordable housing, support homeowners and renters, provide housing and services to homeless individuals and families, and develop City-owned property. MOH seeks to carry out its mission through a lens of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and addressing the effects of systemic racism in our city.

The Policy Development and Research team within MOH is responsible for data collection and analysis; policy and program reporting; research into housing policy best and emerging practices; policy development; and select policy implementation. Its objective is to inform data-driven affordable housing policy change to better serve the constituents of the City of Boston.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Policy Development and Research (PDR), the Principal Housing Policy Analyst is primarily responsible for providing input and guidance on the annual housing policy agenda and expert analytical thinking and skills in pursuit of new policy development and amendment initiatives. This work encompasses efforts to coordinate and convene leadership and stakeholders for public meetings, focus and discussion groups, and other forms of engagement. The Principal Housing Policy Analyst sits at the nexus of PDR’s core work areas–data, research, and policy–and ensures coordination across them.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Policy Development and Research with the development and execution of policy and research agendas.
• Engage in policy development, including research into best and emerging practices.
• Work as a policy analyst, including both qualitative and quantitative analysis, on complex policy development efforts.
• Work with PDR and MOH colleagues to establish methods to track and evaluate City housing policies and programs to understand performance and develop recommendations.
• Meet and collaborate with deputies and other MOH staff to advance policy efforts.
• Play a leadership role in advancing activities intended to make PDR more of a resource to MOH staff, such as improving the housing policy webpage or tracking policy work distributed across MOH.
• Engage in thought partnership and support execution of efforts to share PDR’s and MOH’s policy work with the public.
• Draft or contribute to various plans, reports and memos.
• Review PDR reports and external housing plans submitted for MOH input.
• Work with PDR colleagues to determine needs for data, research, interns and contractors/consultants to support policy agenda.
• Support the Deputy Director with establishing and coordinating a process to assess housing policy changes by the City.
• Lead meetings with committees, community groups, citizen advisory groups or task forces, abutters, and other stakeholders interested or engaged in planning, policy, and development.
• Represent the Chief of Housing or Director of PDR in external meetings as needed.
• Work collaboratively with other City of Boston departments and external stakeholders on policy development efforts.
• Assist the Director of PDR with tasks and special projects related to policy development as needed.
• Work and coordinate with PDR colleagues and staff across MOH to advance PDR’s Strategic and Work Plans.
• Supervise staff as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.
  
  

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in City Planning, Public Policy, Urban Design, or related field preferred; and a minimum of four (4) years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or six (6) years without a Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and understanding complex housing policy/program requirements. Demonstrated experience in policy design and development; familiarity with Boston or Greater Boston housing policy a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, research skills, and writing skills.
• Exceptional communication and teamwork skills, as well as ability to work independently.
• Well organized and practiced in time management.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
  
  

Boston Residency Required

Terms:

Union/Salary/Grade: SU2/N-24

Hours: 35