Program Fellow

Enterprise’s Mission

Enterprise’s mission is to create opportunity for low- and moderate-income people through affordable housing in diverse, thriving communities.

Enterprise Community Partners is a national organization with offices throughout the country. The Northern California office covers a range of the most relevant and pressing affordable housing issues facing California, especially the Bay Area. We shape housing policy, develop plans, deploy finance tools, and design systems and practices that embrace the 3P framework of produce, preserve, and protect. We foster cross-sector partnerships that include nonprofit developers, government agencies, and advocacy organizations and work in collaboration to create systems change that result in greater racial and econmic equity in the Bay Area.

Job Summary

Enterprise is seeking a Program Fellow to primarily work with the Connected Communities Team in the Northern California office to advance our regional program and policy work. This work includes research, data analysis, communications, technical assistance, and grants and contracts administration. Our regional work aims to build the regional housing infrastructure needed to solve the housing and displacement crisis and secure funding, financing, and other resources to advance affordable housing production, preservation, and protection strategies throughout the region. The Program Fellow will carry out housing research and data analysis needed to advance our regional policy and planning work as well as assist in producing high-quality communications materials. This position will also assist in delivering technical assistance and resources to key partners in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors and lead in administering grants and contracts that build capacity among our affordable housing developer partners.  

This is a 24-month fellowship with potential to grow into a full-time position depending on funding. This position will report to the Director of Connected Communities in the Northern California office. Enterprise is committed to diversity and equity, both internally and externally. Our high-performing team include people from different backgrounds and experiences who can challenge each other’s assumptions with fresh perspectives. To that end, we are actively seeking a diverse pool of applicants, including those from historically marginalized groups and with lived experiences.

Job Responsibilities

• Research and Data—Track and monitor key regional and local housing and community development policies, legislation, ballot measures, etc. Identify research needs and conduct analysis as appropriate which may include extensive writing, mapping, and data analysis.
• Communications—Create advocacy materials, including reports, fact sheets, and case studies. Plan and staff select program and policy-related events. Develop website content as appropriate.
• Technical Assistance & Collaboration—Collaborate with affordable housing developers, local and regional public agencies, community-based organizations, philanthropic partners, and internal and external partners on the creation and implementation of new regional policies, programs, funding and finance tools. This may include preparing and delivering presentations, workshops, and other convenings.  
• Grant Administration & Contracts—Manage grants and contracts that that build capacity among our affordable housing developer partners and advance our regional program and policy work. This includes working with our team to designing a framework for grantmaking and working with our national team to execute contracts.
• Team Member—Participate in the Enterprise Northern California office’s endeavors to improve internal office operations and/or services provided to external partners. Be involved with 2-5 projects simultaneously. Travel 1-2 times per year within and beyond California. Assist office-wide teams on duties assigned.
   

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in city planning, public policy, public administration or other related field with at least five (5) years of relevant work experience. Graduate degree may be substituted for up to two (2) years of experience. Graduate degree in city planning, public policy, and city administration is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in the areas of affordable housing production and preservation; community development; and public housing revitalization. Appreciation for the history and practice of community development with a focus on race and equity.
• Knowledge about the Bay Area’s current racial, economic, and political landscape as it relates to the context of housing, land use, and growth trends.
• Preference for a candidate who understands community needs and perspective and knowledge of stakeholders wanting to engage more deeply in public lands, preservation, production, and other housing related discussions in the region.

Skills:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Effective oral and written communication skills are a must with strong editing and proofreading skills.
• Strong data and analytical skills. Ability to research and synthesize information quickly and effectively to produce policy briefs, high-quality and visually appealing materials, and presentations that are data- and research-driven.
• Sound judgment and ability to identify and analyze typical work situations and develop solutions.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Mapping and graphic skills are preferred.

Work Environment:

• Candidate must be able to work in a very collaborative and often fast-paced environment and must be able to engage in and manage simultaneous projects. 

• Commitment to actively participate in team-oriented activities, builds relationships, and facilitate solutions.
• Ability to operate independently under minimal supervision and successfully navigate new situations and environments.
• Ability to reflect upon successes and failures constructively and openly.

 Desired Characteristics for Candidates:

• PASSIONATE—Must be committed to Enterprise’s mission. Must have a desire to join a nonprofit organization and advocate on behalf of Enterprise and the communities it serves.
• THOUGHTFUL—Creative, strategic thinker with demonstrated imagination and flexibility.
• INFORMATIVE—Effective written and oral communication skills.  Thoughtful listener.
• DEDICATED—Inspired self-starter who is accustomed to taking the initiative, and driving toward results, has a high degree of self-motivation, initiative, dedication, creativity and perseverance.
• PROFESSIONAL—Mature in actions and attitude, toward external audiences and colleagues. Creativity troubleshooter, patience, and a good sense of humor.
• ADAPTABLE—Can independently and rapidly respond to new tasks and challenges.