Position: Housing Policy Analyst
Reports to: Housing Team Supervisor
Status: 1.00 FTE Full Time – Non-Exempt
Salary range: $27.00 - $31.00 per hour, depending on years of relevant experience or professional equivalent.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County (LASC) is a non-profit organization that provides low-income clients assistance with eviction defense and housing law, elder law, protective orders, homelessness prevention, access to veteran’s benefits, and related legal remedies. LASC also engages in local housing advocacy aimed at decreasing displacement and increasing the availability of safe, affordable rental housing for Sonoma County residents. This need is even more pressing considering the continued destabilizing effects of COVID-19, fires, floods, and regional economic shifts on the housing of low-income and BIPOC communities.
LASC seeks a Housing Policy Analyst to join our HOME Tenant Protection Program (HOME). HOME provides a range of legal services to tenants. The HOME team includes a homeless outreach attorney, tenant housing attorneys, and bilingual legal caseworkers. Duties include researching and advocating for eviction protections, rental inspection programs, Housing Element implementation, supporting the Sonoma County Tenants’ Union and other allied groups, and collaborating and fostering the relationships among a broad coalition of housing and tenant advocates in the region. The Housing Policy Analyst will meet with local and state elected officials to encourage policies that protect tenants. The Policy Analyst will also collaborate with the Community Development Commission, North Bay Organizing Project, Community-Based Organizations, and local housing advocates to advance these initiatives. The Analyst will take part in Housing Team meetings to understand and identify trends among LASC’s clients requiring a policy response.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Outreach and Education:
Collect and analyze data, including LASC’s client information, to spot trends and prepare advocacy materials.
Conduct workshops, clinics and community education presentations to help low-income tenants know their legal rights.
Meet regularly with community partners and elected officials.
Provide policy support to allied organizations, especially the Sonoma County Tenant’s Union.
Develop written materials to educate tenants, including mobile home park residents.
Provide research assistance to community partners regarding local and state housing laws.
Provide technical assistance to local governmental agencies in furtherance of advancing desired tenant or mobile home protections, including but not limited to drafting model ordinances.
General:
Work with community partners to ensure that community needs and voices are centered in the policy work. Organize and facilitate regular partner and stakeholder meetings.
Participate in ongoing program operation, design, and implementation.
Work closely with Legal Aid housing staff to coordinate project efforts with Legal Aid’s direct client services.
Attend regularly scheduled housing team and agency-wide staff meetings.
Track project outcomes and data in LASC database.
Produce periodic grant reports within required deadlines.
Attend and participate in agency events, outreach events, and other activities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIRED:
Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Public Health, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Social Work or related field. Master’s preferred.
At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in policy analysis, research or an equivalent field.
Commitment to housing equity, social justice, and addressing systemic barriers.
Strong background in data cultivation and analysis, including the ability to interpret housing-related data and create actionable insights.
Proficiency in policy research and analysis, with a focus on housing, community development or related areas.
Experience drafting legislative proposals, white papers or reports to support policy advocacy.
Excellent communication and outreach skills, including stakeholder engagement and public presentations.
Experience with grassroots campaigning, coalition building or community organizing.
Ability to relate to diverse client population, including low-income, disabled, non-English speaking, and senior clients.
Working knowledge of computer applications including Westlaw, Microsoft Office, and database programs.
Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively with great attention to detail, including timely record keeping and capturing of data and results achieved for reports to funders.
A firm commitment to accurate and on-time time reporting (on bi-weekly time sheets and in the LASC database) is required.
This position requires driving to offsite meetings and events, a valid CA Driver’s License and current proof of automobile insurance required.
This position is not remote. Applicants must be within commuting distance of the LASC office in Santa Rosa, CA.
All applicants must abide by LASC’s current COVID related and security protocols.
Skills/Experience Desired:
Previous experience in legal services and/or demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
Prior legislative or policy experience related to housing issues.
Bilingual in Spanish.
BENEFITS: Legal Aid of Sonoma County provides a dynamic and supportive work environment, and an excellent benefit package after the completion of an initial 90-day introductory period. Benefits include eligibility for company paid health insurance for the employee or cash-in-lieu, company paid dental insurance, eligibility for 401K participation after one year of continuous employment, and very generous paid vacation/sick/holiday leave policies. Note the benefits package is for the employee only, LASC does not provide health or dental coverage for spouses or dependents. Note that employment at LASC is ‘at will’, completion of an introductory period does not create an employment contract.
TO APPLY: Please submit resume and cover letter by email to Sunny Noh, Interim Executive Director: [email protected]. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note the posted salary range is firm and DOE.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County is an equal opportunity employer.
LASC is a non-profit organization, any at-will employment at LASC may be contingent on continued funding from program specific contracts and grants.