Research / Policy Associate

REPORTS TO: Research Director

STATUS: Full-Time (40 hours/week), Hybrid, Non-Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $40.87 - $45.67 an hour

ABOUT THE POSITION

Research/Policy Associates (“RPAs”) are responsible for helping implement critical research, policy analysis, and program evaluation efforts to improve federal, state, and local affordable housing policies and programs. RPAs also regularly engage with state, regional, and local stakeholders (e.g., government officials, affordable housing advocacy organizations, affordable housing developers, etc.) and present research findings in various settings (e.g., internal staff presentations, conference panels, government committee meetings, press conferences, etc.)

BASIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research and help write policy briefs, analyses, and articles.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of new quantitative and qualitative research methods to support our organizational research agenda and in response to the needs of our partners.
• Respond to data and methods inquiries from government agencies, jurisdictions, nonprofit developers, and research institutions.
• Represent the Partnership through presentations to working groups, regional conferences, and other external settings.
• Provide data, technical assistance, and other information to the CEO and Director of Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy to help advance the Partnership’s policy agenda.
• Stay current with pertinent literature, developments, and data visualizations around demographic change, housing supply, affordability, inequality, mobility, and equitable growth.
• Plan and execute segments of research/policy projects in consultation with and under the general supervision of more senior staff.
• Perform routine administrative functions (e.g., submission of timesheets, participating in performance evaluations, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool and will be seeking candidates who possess some combination of the following qualifications and experience:

• Experience in affordable housing quantitative research:
  • At least two (2) years of experience in affordable housing research, policymaking, or advocacy work or substantially equivalent experience.
    • Bachelor's degree in a directly related field, such as urban planning, public policy, political science, sociology, economics, etc., may substitute for up to one (1) year of direct experience.
    • Master's degree in a directly related field, such as urban planning, public policy, political science, sociology, economics, etc., may substitute for up to two (2) years of direct experience.

• Commitment to addressing the housing needs of low-income Californians and advancing racial equity through housing policy and research.
• Exceptional analytical, research, and communication skills (e.g., writing, verbal, visual).
  • Intermediate quantitative data analysis skills (e.g., cost analysis, regression analysis, etc.)
  • Familiarity with at least one of the following database/programming languages used for data analysis (such as R or Python).
  • Strong writing skills, including being able to conduct social science literature reviews, write up results for quantitative study results, and communicate with colleagues about project findings, issues, and methodologies.
  • Strong organizational skills, including setting priorities, juggling multiple tasks, and meeting assigned deadlines.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, vlookup formulas, etc.)
• Alignment with the Partnership’s mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able and willing to travel within California.
  
  Additional Desired Qualifications:
• Intermediate Python or R skills (e.g., writing and editing code with little supervision, cleaning data in multiple data files, comparing variables within and between data files, etc.)
• Intermediate spatial analysis skills (ArcGIS or QGIS) (e.g., revising symbology of map layers, creating new variables within map layers, conducting overlay and buffer analysis of map layers, etc.)
• Exceptional data visualization skills (e.g., creating compelling charts and graphs in Python/R or Excel, generating clear and readable maps in GIS, etc.)

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

The Partnership is a dynamic nonprofit “think and do tank” providing critical technical assistance, training, applied research and policy leadership to increase the production and preservation of affordable and sustainable homes serving Californians who are low-income.

To achieve this mission, the Partnership’s three technical assistance teams (finance, clean energy, applied research) work closely with a network of more than 60 mission-driven nonprofit and government housing agencies throughout California, as well as the nonprofit associations who represent them.

A deep commitment to racial equity and inclusion grounds the Partnership’s work and policies – click here to learn more about our core equity values. An Equity Policy Advisory Board ensures that the perspectives and experiences of low-income renters also grounds our work – click here to learn more about this board .

COMPENSATION

The Partnership provides annual performance-based raises and maintains competitive salary ranges. Compensation for all permanent employees working 20 or more hours per week includes a robust benefits package of 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, chiropractic/acupuncture, transit subsidy, cellphone reimbursement, health reimbursement account, employee assistance plan, and employer contributions to 403(b) retirement plan.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The California Housing Partnership is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage people of diverse backgrounds and identities to apply. For more information about the Partnership, visit our website at www.chpc.net.

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