Statement of Duties
The Program Development, Policy, and Communications Coordinator (“Coordinator”) will work with the OHS Director to develop and implement strategic planning to identify new priority programming and policy initiatives to address gaps in services and/or to further the mission and goals of the Office of Housing Stability. The Coordinator, in collaboration with the Director, will be responsible for the development, planning and implementation of new programs as well as the collecting, analyzing, and presenting of data relative to OHS’ anti-displacement programs and efforts. Finally, the Coordinator will develop and execute a communications strategy to better inform the broad array of Somerville residents of housing services available through OHS and area non-profits and educate residents about new housing policies, changes in landlord/tenant law, opportunities for advocacy, joint advocacy, and new affordable housing opportunities. This will include strategies such as on the ground outreach to vulnerable populations, regular newsletters, social media, and content posting, updating the website, the creation of OHS specific materials, and City-wide mailings.
Essential Functions:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
- In collaboration with the OHS Director and management team, engage in strategic planning process, including outreach to a wide range of stakeholders including those from marginalized communities, to identify gaps in services and new policy priorities to further the OHS anti-displacement mission.
- Perform policy and program research to inform planning.
- In coordination with the OHS Director, spearhead and oversee program development, planning, and implementation of new priority program and/or policy initiatives.
- Identify and pursue possible funding sources and City and community partners to collaborate with in developing programs.
- Interface with the Grants and External Funds as necessary to explore funding opportunities for new programming.
- Draft Requests for Proposals as needed and as assigned by the OHS Director relating to OHS programming.
- Collect, analyze, and report out data that can measure the success of existing OHS initiatives, inform future OHS initiatives and offer information relating to housing stability to the community.
- Assist with responding to requests for data and/or information from City Council, Mayor’s office, task forces as assigned by the Director or Co-Deputy Directors.
Essential Functions - Communications
- Create, implement, and oversee a communications strategy that employs an array of traditional and digital media and platforms in multiple languages to engage a broad spectrum of the Somerville community. Communications strategies will include, but are not limited to, development of an OHS newsletter, employment of social media, timely updating of the OHS website, the development of OHS-specific housing rights materials and creation and distribution of periodic citywide mailings.
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Policy, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, Communications, or other relevant degree program and three to five (3-5) years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Master's degree in Urban Policy, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, Communications, or related fields preferred but not required.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge: Strong knowledge of housing programs and policy and demonstrated experience developing strategies and programs geared toward maintaining and expanding affordable housing opportunities and promoting housing stability. Experience in program development in related areas is also helpful. Strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience using traditional and digital media and platforms. Knowledge and experience in website maintenance and using, creating, and disseminating regular newsletter and updates in other formats. Knowledge and experience in branding, marketing, and using marketing automation strategies such as Mailchimp.
Abilities: Strong and demonstrated ability to: Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with a broad, diverse, and multicultural/multilingual array of constituents, community leaders, elected officials and other stakeholders, staff from other City departments and community partners, representatives of the media, potential funders, and potential adversaries. Perform policy and program research and engage in strategic planning to conceive, develop, implement, and operate new and existing programs to advance OHS’s mission.
Skills: Excellent and demonstrated skills in: Organization and program development and management. Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel and other office software. Using social media and other non-traditional formats and platforms. Using traditional media, including developing press contacts at news sources (radio, print, local cable, etc.) and writing and distributing press releases. Updating and maintaining website.
Work Environment
The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments. Employee will need to be flexible as to whether work will be fully in office, hybrid office/home, or fully remote in light of public health issues and office space and capacity.
Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.
Physical Skills
Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)
Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.
Visual Skills
Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.
Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $81,182.41 annualized, plus benefits
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Exempt
Date Posted: August 22nd, 2023
This position has a budgeted start date of October 1st, 2023.
