Program Officer, Rural Housing

Position Overview

As part of a compressive community development strategy, the national rural program of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (Rural LISC) supports community-based organizations across the country to address local housing needs and advance community housing goals. The Program Officer will work under the guidance the Senior Program Officer - Rural Housing to support Rural LISC's housing partners, programs, and goals.

The Program Officer will support housing-related programs, manage relationships and provide technical assistance (TA) to numerous partner organizations, including nonprofit housing providers serving rural and tribal communities, and local and tribal government agencies. The ideal candidate will possess comprehensive knowledge of affordable housing needs and opportunities, particularly in rural and tribal communities. This includes a deep understanding of public subsidies, policies, data, financing sources, and the development process, encompassing both new construction and rehabilitation for both single and multifamily housing. Candidates should also have experience working in rural and tribal communities and with diverse populations; a belief in the future and promise of rural and tribal communities is paramount. This full-time position is location-flexible; candidates must be comfortable working remotely and with travel.

Responsibilities

• Program Management & Implementation: support grant and program administration functions for the Capacity Building Program, Healthy Housing Initiative, and other housing and tribal-related Rural LISC programs.
• Capacity Building & Technical Assistance: assess needs, identify opportunities, and provide tailored TA and training to nonprofit housing providers and local government agencies in rural and tribal communities across the country.
• Relationship Management: build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders for collaborative rural development efforts, including public, private and nonprofit partners.
• Sustainability & Resilience: support programs, projects and investments that increase the energy efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency of rural homes.
• Project Investments: identify opportunities for strategic affordable housing and other community development investments, including by collecting real estate development pipeline data, identifying potential projects and connecting partners with financing opportunities.
• Data Analysis & Research: collect and analyze partner and external data and literature to inform Rural LISC housing program strategies and delivery.
• Community Engagement & Advocacy: represent Rural LISC in community forums, conferences, and events to advocate for improved housing quality, affordability and access, including in person events and site visits.
• Initiative Development: cultivate relationships with a broad network of rural development stakeholders and help identify new opportunities to advance Rural LISC's mission and goals related to housing, including by collaborating with Fund Development and other LISC teams on grant proposals.
• Compliance: work with the Finance and Grants Management departments to help manage LISC grants and investments, ensuring compliance with funder financial reporting requirements, including federal grants with HUD and USDA.
• Communications: organize and facilitate webinars and trainings, support the Rural LISC Annual Seminar, and uplift partner success stories.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or relevant work experience.
• Minimum five (5) years relevant work-related experience in affordable housing and/or community development or other areas that complement Rural LISC's work. Extensive knowledge of affordable housing.
• Experience working with local, state, tribal and federal government programs and agencies.
• Experience in real estate development or lending in a community development field preferred.
• Working knowledge of the economic, political, and social environments in rural and/or tribal communities, especially lower-income neighborhoods, organizations, and community development efforts strongly preferred.
• Experience reviewing datasets for quality and analyzing data for trends a plus.
• Solution-oriented individual who is self-directed, and able to successfully balance multiple priorities and programs.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills: experience, flexibility and poise working with diverse organizations and individuals and a demonstrated ability to think strategically and collaborate with colleagues across functions and geography to design and implement the best strategies for building stronger rural communities.
• Support the facilitation and convening of meetings, trainings, peer gatherings, and regular e-resources to help build partners' capacity and provide access to resources both in person and via web-based gatherings.
• Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail, timely reporting, and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, writing, research, analysis, and relationship/team building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite required. Experience with Salesforce, Smartsheet, ArcGIS and other database systems preferred.
• Appropriately 15%-20% travel will be required.

Compensation

LISC offers a competitive salary ($73,139-$85,000) and excellent fringe benefits.