Senior Policy Advisor presso Houston Housing Authority

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Senior Policy Advisor oversees the Houston Housing Authority’s (HHA) policy, compliance, governmental affairs functions, and Move to Work (MTW) authority initiatives. Under the supervision of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Senior Policy Advisor works with relevant internal and external stakeholders to guide, inform, and support the mission and objectives of the agency and our partners.  Reports to the Executive Vice President & COO.

 PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Oversee management, revision, and distribution of the HHA policy documents and forms, including, but not limited to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy for Federal Public Housing; the Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan; MTW Supplement; 5-Year PHA Plan; and PHA Annual Plan.

·  Along with the MTW Program & Policy Coordinator, oversee the coordination of the HHA’s MTW program, including research, planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring activities; developing HHA policies and procedures related to the Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher and other HHA programs; and, providing direction as needed to the Executive Vice President and COO,HHA Executive Office and other departments in undertaking and completing various special programs and projects including grant writing.

· Direct the creation and production of regular and special plans and reports for the President & Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President & COO, HUD, Board of Commissioners and various external and internal stakeholders; including but not limited to annual accomplishments and quarterly reports on HHA’s progress compared with its annual goals. 

· Direct the creation, evaluation, and implementation of, and reporting on, special initiatives such as income rent reform, the HHA’s IT Department’s efforts to automate monthly performance and analytics reports from HHA’s Voucher Program Operations and Asset Management and Development divisions, both for compliance and accomplishing annual goals, outcomes for low-income households leasing in opportunity areas, multi-organizational partnerships and households’ self-sufficiency efforts.

· Create and/or oversee completion of various special projects as assigned by the Executive Vice President and COO or designee.

· In concert with the President & CEO and Executive Vice-President & COO, develop and maintain relationships with local and federal elected officials’ offices and HUD to effectively advocate for the HHA’s position on funding, legislative, and regulatory issues. 

· Develop and maintain relationships with local and national organizations, trade groups, and other housing professionals to keep the HHA apprised of industry trends and to provide the Authority with opportunities to participate in collaborative programs, advocacy and legislative efforts.

· Represent the HHA at local and national conferences, meetings, trainings, and workshops.

· Manage the HHA’s legislative communication, production and distribution of regular and special publications for policy makers and other stakeholders.

· Keep HHA aware of HUD and other applicable agencies’ Notices for Funding Availability (NOFAs) and other grant opportunities. Assist Departments within the agency in the evaluation and application of such grant opportunities where appropriate.

· Assist HHA Departments in the evaluation of voucher payment standards and flat rents.

· Assist HHA Departments in the review, submission and appeal of Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) scores.

· Work collaboratively with the City of Houston to develop and adopt an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing (or Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH)) which identifies barriers.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

·   Knowledge of subsidized housing program evaluation and reform.

·   Knowledge of the Moving to Work (MTW) program.

·   Knowledge of the Housing Choice Voucher, Project-based Voucher, Public Housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration programs.

·   Knowledge of the federal legislative process for both authorizing legislation and appropriations.

·   Knowledge of the federal regulatory rulemaking process.

·   Skill and experience in developing annual reports and plans.

·   Skill and experience in developing and maintaining relationships with key local, state and federal policy makers, as well as Congressional staff and legislators.

·   Skill in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint.

·   Skill in project management.

·   Ability to interact with personnel at all organizational levels.

·   Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously in widely varying program areas.

·   Ability to use multiple resources including qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, to capture, interpret, and communicate information.

COMPLEXITY / SCOPE OF WORK

· The Senior Policy Advisor performs a wide variety of tasks touching all areas of HHA business.

· The President & CEO or Executive Vice President & COO determines the course of action, but the employee has discretion to coordinate, integrate and/or prioritize tasks as necessary to produce a high quality product in a timely manner.

GUIDELINES

· Guidelines generally are not available for daily operating decisions or decisions in emergency or unusual circumstances. 

· Situations not covered by guidelines are referred to the Executive Vice President & COO or handled independently, depending on the circumstances.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

·The Senior Policy Advisor receives instructions from the Executive Vice President & COO or, at times, directly from the President & CEO.

·The employee acts independently in making decisions about the best course of action.   In situations where there are no guidelines, the employee may adopt existing guidelines, develop new guidelines, make a decision based on the circumstances, or seek guidance from the Executive Vice President & COO.

·The employee’s work is reviewed for accuracy, completion, and compliance with policies and procedures.

· The Senior Policy Advisor supervises the MTW Program & Policy Coordinator and other employees. 

PERSONAL CONTACTS

· Personal contacts are with other HHA employees, outside agencies, public housing residents, Housing Choice Voucher holders, applicants and government officials.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

· Work involves the normal risks or discomforts associated with an office environment but are usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted and ventilated.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Political Science, Sociology, Economics or related field required.   

· Ten (10) years relevant experience with a focus on housing policy, poverty issues, urban planning, or affordable real estate development. 

· Experience in a Moving to Work agency is a plus.

· Master’s degree in public administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Economics or related field preferred. 

· Bondable.

· Valid Texas driver’s license or obtain such within the first thirty (30) days of employment. 

· Eligibility for coverage under Houston Housing Authority fleet auto insurance.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.