Program Manager of Equitable Development

Urban Habitat

Founded in 1989, Urban Habitat’s mission is to democratize power and advance equitable policies to create a just and connected Bay Area for low-income communities and communities of color. We bring race and class to the forefront of transportation, land use, and housing policies to create a more equitable region.

Program Manager of Equitable Development

Urban Habitat’s Program Manager of Equitable Development will support - through policy analysis, research, technical assistance, and advocacy - local and regional policy and advocacy campaigns that advance equitable development through land use, housing, and transportation rights. The Program Manager of Equitable Development will also participate in local and regional coalition building and trainings, such as our Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute.

Summary of Duties/Responsibilities

• Support the development of Urban Habitat’s Climate Justice through Equitable Development policy agenda and strategy at the regional and local levels. This includes working with community-based land use and housing rights campaigns and coalitions.
• Strengthen Urban Habitat’s analysis of the development process, the relationship between public investment in transportation and market driven housing, and equitable transit oriented development.
• Monitor the political landscape for strategic opportunities to advance Urban Habitat’s priority campaigns and programs. Research and analyze local, regional, state and, national policies that are relevant to our equitable development goals; design innovative policies and advocacy strategies that build on our existing expertise and relationships.
• Mobilize policymakers, community and labor allies, and other key stakeholders around our policy agenda and strategies at the local and regional levels.
• Strengthen Urban Habitat’s written regional equity analysis and framework on climate justice issues including equitable development, housing, land use, jobs, and health.
• Support our efforts to produce original reports and analysis that contribute to the environmental justice movement. Provide data, analysis, and articles for our website and other publications.
• Research and create curriculum and training resources for UH’s BCLI program and to support partner campaigns on land use, housing rights and Climate Justice through Equitable Development.
• Provide technical assistance for local partner organizations, including trainings.
• Support the development of regular communications, media, and social media to enhance Urban Habitat’s fundraising, outreach, media, and public relations.
• Represent Urban Habitat at conferences, public meetings, and media events, as needed. 
• Participate in strategic planning for the organization as a whole and for specific policy/program areas.
• Coordinate special projects, assignments, activities, and other duties as assigned.

Summary of Qualifications

• Education and training: Master’s degree in urban planning, urban studies, environmental studies, economics, public policy, or equivalent experience such as policy manager for planning, housing or transportation organization.
• Work experience: At least three (3) years experience in public policy, public administration, public health, urban planning, community development, or social/environmental justice field.

Specific Skills/Subject Knowledge

• Capacity to utilize a wide array of research methods, including but not limited to: public information requests, government reports, telephone inquiries, quantitative analysis relevant to transportation, GIS, and key informant interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate policy analysis and research results, including development of conclusions and persuasive arguments for individuals outside the organization, as appropriate.
• Knowledge and experience working on regional equity and climate policy, urban planning (ideally land use and climate), and housing rights from an equity perspective.
• Experience working with or significant exposure to grassroots organizing.
• Ability to build effective relationships with community, policy, labor, and government stakeholders; existing relationships in Bay Area politics and social/environmental justice organizations a plus.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading successful policy campaigns and/or programs focused on environmental, social, and/or economic justice. Capacity to evaluate and prioritize campaign opportunities to ensure that they maximize Urban Habitat’s overall campaign and organizational goals.

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and three references to: jobs@urbanhabitat.org. Please put “Program Manager of Equitable Development” in the subject line of your email.