HOUSING SPECIALIST
$106,661.98 - $129,648.31
DESCRIPTION
Under general direction, plans, develops, coordinates, and administers the City's housing programs, policies, and affordable housing initiatives; serves as the City's subject matter expert on housing policy and housing legislation; manages implementation of the City's Housing Element and Housing Authority programs; coordinates affordable housing development initiatives; administers housing grants, contracts, and funding programs; conducts complex policy analysis and legislative research; prepares reports and recommendations for City management, the Housing Authority, Planning Commission, and City Council; represents the City with regional, state, and federal agencies; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the City Planner or assigned management staff. Does not exercise direct supervisory authority over City employees. May provide technical and functional guidance to staff on housing-related matters and may coordinate the work of consultants and contractors within assigned projects.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level professional classification responsible for performing, administering, and coordinating the City's housing programs and affordable housing initiatives. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment in interpreting and implementing housing legislation, developing housing policy, managing housing programs, and coordinating complex projects involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.
This classification is distinguished from classifications in the Planning Division by its specialized focus on housing policy and housing program implementation and coordination, including Housing Element compliance, Housing Authority activities, affordable housing finance and funding programs, and analysis and implementation of housing legislation and regulatory requirements. Planning classifications are generally focused on current and long-range land use planning, development review, environmental analysis, and related planning functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove job duties as necessary and will make reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to enable qualified individuals to perform the position’s essential functions. The omission of a specific duty does not preclude it from being assigned if it is similar, related, or logically aligned with the role’s overall responsibilities.
Housing Specialist
• Plans, develops, coordinates, implements, and administers the City's housing programs, affordable housing initiatives, and Housing Element to ensure compliance with State housing laws, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements, and City objectives
• Conducts technical research and analysis related to housing policy, land use, demographics, housing affordability, market conditions, and legislative changes; develops recommendations for housing policies, programs, ordinances, zoning code amendments, and long-range planning initiatives
• Coordinates implementation of Housing Element programs, monitors program performance, prepares annual progress reports and other required State and federal reporting, and ensures compliance with applicable housing laws, grant requirements, and regulatory mandates
• Coordinates housing-related projects, consultant contracts, grant-funded programs, and affordable housing initiatives; develops requests for proposals (RFPs), monitors project schedules and budgets, reviews consultant work products, and ensures compliance with contractual obligations
• Administers housing-related funding programs, including affordable housing financing, revolving loan funds, grant applications, and other financial assistance programs; prepares budget recommendations, monitors expenditures, and evaluates funding opportunities
• Prepares, reviews, and presents agenda reports, technical reports, policy recommendations, ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, and correspondence for the City Council, Housing Authority, Planning Commission, management, and other boards and commissions
• Organizes, facilitates, and participates in public meetings, workshops, community outreach events, and stakeholder engagement activities; provides information regarding housing policies, programs, and development proposals; responds to public inquiries and resolves issues within assigned authority • Serves as the City's primary liaison on housing matters with developers, affordable housing providers, community organizations, consultants, regional agencies, County, State, and federal agencies; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships to advance the City's housing objectives
• Monitors, researches, and interprets changes in federal, State, and local housing legislation, regulations, and funding programs; evaluates operational impacts and develops recommendations for implementation and policy changes • Collects, analyzes, and interprets housing, land use, demographic, economic, and financial data; prepares statistical analyses, forecasts, presentations, and reports to support planning, policy development, and decision-making related to housing • Coordinates with Finance and other City departments regarding housing program budgets, financial reporting, affordable housing agreements, and implementation of housing-related initiatives
Housing Specialist
• Represents the City at professional meetings, conferences, regional committees, and interagency working groups related to affordable and workforce housing • Provides specialized technical guidance and subject matter expertise to City staff and departments on housing-related matters; coordinates and reviews the work of consultants and contractors on assigned projects.
• Monitors emerging housing legislation, funding opportunities, and best practices; recommends innovative strategies and program enhancements to increase housing production, preserve affordable housing, and support the City's strategic housing goals
• Reviews and analyzes affordable housing financial pro formas, development budgets, funding structures, and financing proposals to evaluate project feasibility, long-term affordability, and potential impacts to City funding or investment. • Reviews, coordinates, and assists in the development of loan agreements, regulatory agreements, affordability covenants, and related housing program documents in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office and other departments. • Performs related duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social sciences, public health, public administration, social work, planning, or a related field; and
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental housing, community services, housing assistance payment programs, or related municipal housing planning activities.
Licenses and Certifications
Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as needed.
Highly desirable
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP)
• Certified Housing Development Professional
• HUD Housing Counselor Certification
• National Affordable Housing Professional (NAHP)
• Grant administration training
Housing Specialist
Special Requirements
Disaster Service Worker
In accordance with Government Code 3100, this position is declared to be a disaster service worker subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Basic Pre-Employment Requirements (Tier 1)
Final candidates must successfully complete a basic pre-employment screening process, which includes a Department of Justice Live Scan (DOJ/LS) background check and a non-safety pre-employment physical examination to ensure the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
KNOWLEDGE OF
• Principles, practices, and trends of housing policy, affordable housing development, housing program administration, community development, and land use planning, including the planning, financing, development, preservation, and management of affordable housing programs and initiatives
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, regulatory codes, ordinances, and policies governing housing and land use planning, including the California Housing Element Law, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Housing Accountability Act, Density Bonus Law, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) fair housing requirements, and other legislation affecting housing development and affordability
• Principles and practices of public administration, municipal government operations, governmental budgeting, contract administration, grant administration, procurement, project management, and policy development within a local government environment
• Principles and practices of affordable housing finance, housing funding programs, grant opportunities, revolving loan funds, public financing mechanisms, and financial analysis applicable to housing and community development projects • Research methods, statistical analysis, data collection and interpretation techniques, and the preparation of technical studies, demographic analyses, policy reports, agenda reports, presentations, and recommendations used in planning and housing program administration
• Principles and practices of community engagement, public participation, stakeholder collaboration, consensus building, and effective public communication, including conducting meetings, workshops, and presentations before elected officials, boards, commissions, community organizations, and the public
• Principles of customer service, conflict resolution, negotiation, and relationship management, including techniques for establishing and maintaining effective Housing Specialist
working relationships with public officials, developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and members of the public • Modern office practices, methods, technology, and software applications used in planning, project management, financial analysis, data management, report preparation, and presentation development
• Current trends, emerging legislation, funding programs, and best practices related to housing production, housing affordability, homelessness, community development, housing finance, and State housing policy affecting California local agencies.
• Principles and practices of affordable housing development and finance, including financial feasibility analysis, layered financing, public-private partnerships, and longterm affordability requirements. • Federal, State, and local housing and community development funding programs, including eligibility, reporting, monitoring, and compliance requirements applicable to assigned funding sources.
ABILITY TO
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex federal, state, and local housing laws, regulations, land use policies, zoning ordinances, Housing Element requirements, and other applicable statutes; evaluate legislative impacts and develop effective policy recommendations and implementation strategies
• Research, collect, analyze, and interpret demographic, economic, housing, land use, financial, and statistical data; identify trends; develop practical solutions; and prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive technical reports, studies, staff reports, grant applications, presentations, and correspondence • Plan, organize, coordinate, and manage multiple complex projects, programs, consultant contracts, funding agreements, and competing priorities simultaneously while meeting established deadlines and exercising sound judgment and initiative • Develop, administer, and monitor housing programs, grants, contracts, budgets, and affordable housing funding initiatives; ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, funding requirements, and contractual obligations • Establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with City officials, employees, developers, consultants, public agencies, community organizations, stakeholders, and members of the public
• Organize, facilitate, and conduct public meetings, workshops, and community outreach activities; effectively present complex technical information and policy recommendations to the City Council, Housing Authority, Planning Commission, advisory bodies, community groups, and the public in a clear and understandable manner
Housing Specialist
• Exercise sound independent judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political acumen in analyzing issues, resolving problems, making recommendations, and handling sensitive or confidential matters
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including preparing professional correspondence, reports, policy documents, agenda reports, and presentations, and delivering exceptional customer service • Monitor emerging housing legislation, funding opportunities, and industry best practices; proactively identify organizational impacts and recommend innovative strategies that advance the City's housing objectives and ensure ongoing compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
• Conduct complex research and analytical studies; evaluate alternatives and organizational impacts; develop sound professional recommendations; and prepare clear and effective technical and policy reports.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires the mobility to work in a typical office environment and to use standard office equipment, including a computer. Vision requirements include the ability to read printed materials and computer screens. Hearing and speech abilities are required for in-person, telephone, and videoconference communication. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, and physical activities include standing and walking between work areas, as well as occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and opening or closing file drawers. Fine motor skills and finger dexterity are needed for typing, data entry, and using calculators and other office equipment. Employees must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives to interpret and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Organization: Management, Professional, and Confidential Employees’ Compensation & Benefits Plan
Department: Development Services
City Council Adopted: October 6, 2026