Director of Policy, CHA - Chicago, IL

Title: Director of Policy

Type: Full-time, Hybrid

Location: Chicago, IL

Pay: $115k-120k/year

This position directs the development and implementation of relevant policy that governs activity across the Public Housing, RAD, PBRA, and Mixed Income portfolios. The Director works to ensure that the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) is developed, approved, and implemented in accordance with CHA strategic goals and plans, HUD regulations, and MTW policies. They also ensure that RAD program policy is administered as outlined in Section 18 of the Administrative Plan.

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FOIA Officer and Project Manager, CHA - Hybrid (Chicago, IL)

 The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer & Project Manager is a position within the Executive Office that is responsible for developing, coordinating, and maintaining communication among external stakeholders on behalf of the Chicago Housing Authority and ensuring compliance with the Illinois FOIA. The FOIA Officer responds to information requests received by the agency, both via FOIA and non-FOIA mediums. The position manages relationships with external partners, is responsible for responding to public inquiries and comments, and creating reporting documents for internal and external reporting purposes. The FOIA Officer & Project Manager works closely and cooperatively with the General Counsel’s office, Communications, Government and External Affairs and the Executive Office.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respond to all Freedom of Information Act requests received by CHA which includes the following:
  1. Coordinate with internal departments to process requests and collect responsive documents.
  2. Collaborate with outside agencies as necessary. 
  3. Draft all FOIA correspondence and responses.
  4. Researches, examines, and analyzes documents in response to FOIA requests and makes appropriate redactions of exempt information, consistent with the Illinois FOIA.
  5. Recognize priorities and independently organize workflow to meet deadlines.
• Coordinate responses to non-FOIA Information requests, including inquiries from external government agencies/offices and academia. 
• Plan and develop responses to public comments made at Board of Commissioner meetings. 
• Assist Government and External Affairs with coordinating and preparing briefing materials, reports, and other research outputs for internal and external use.
• Performs administrative and organizational work, including records management and data tracking
• Manage special projects and strategic initiatives, including executive correspondence.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

Qualifications

This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. A minimum of 1 - 2 years of experience working directly with the Freedom of Information Act. Strong knowledge in data analysis, research, and project management is required. The incumbent must be self-directed, motivated, team-oriented, and work independently on complex and crucial projects. This position requires effective and strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and interpersonal skills to work with a diverse staff of managerial and professional staff to coordinate the completion of assignments and effectively communicate project deliverables and processes. The incumbent must exercise objective judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Grade: S7

FLSA: Exempt

Union: None

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FSS Coach, CHA - Hybrid (Chicago, IL)

 About the job

The LevelUp Coach is responsible for the recruitment of new participants, coaching of program participants, conducting needs assessments, providing referrals to services and trainings, and supporting participants to stay on track to achieve their goals in LevelUp (CHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program). LevelUp Coaches maintain program records, build partnerships with service providers, and report on program outcomes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•Recruits and enrolls families and individuals in the LevelUp program;

•Establishes effective relationships with participants through coaching services with an asset building lens to assist in goal setting;

•Assess service needs of program participants to access appropriate public or private community services to obtain specialized types of assistance;

•Provides coaching and education in life skill areas such as housing, employment, education, financial fitness, public assistance, and homeownership;

•Assists participants in the development of detailed goals and plans, and program agreements;

•Refers participants to CHA’s Special Programs, including but not limited to HOME, WORC, and Partners in Education;

•Creates accurate LevelUp savings statements and coaching notes;

•Serves as a liaison between teams and departments within CHA who goals relate to the LevelUp program;

•Maintains accurate and up-to-date program files. Inputs data and tracks program activity in CHA’s tracking system;

•Networks with community agencies, determines key leadership from the agencies and coordinates participation, specifically for the Program Coordinating Committee, to connect participants to other internal and external resources that support their goals;

•Collaborates with community agencies for the provision of services for the LevelUp program and participants;

•Secures Memorandum of Understanding or other informal agreements with community agencies to ensure on-going provision of services for program participants;

•Prepares and presents workshops, information sessions and educational materials, in-person and virtually related to various program components, to a wide variety of audiences, including clients, staff, and the public;

•Maintains knowledge of successful national and local efforts to assist families with low-income achieve economic self-sufficiency;

•Manages a coaching caseload of 80-85 families and regularly meets with participants remotely, in their homes as well as other agreed upon locations;

•Travels to attend off-site trainings, meetings, and events, as assigned;

•May be asked to handle tasks outside of job description to meet broader goals of CHA and Resident Services.

•This position requires working hours outside of CHA’s established hours of 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday- Friday including weekends.

•This position is eligible to remote work one (1) day per week following the 90-day probationary period.

•This position is grant funded.

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, or similar field is preferred, with some college coursework required. This position requires a minimum of two (2) years of direct experience in counseling, case management or coaching diverse populations with low income or in programs where strong monitoring or quality assurance of program regulations was required. A combination of education and related work experience will be considered.

Demonstrated knowledge of the characteristics, needs, and interests of public housing and housing choice voucher residents; experience with asset-building strategies and resources preferred, including savings, homeownership, education, entrepreneurship, and small business development. The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and speaking to large audiences virtually and in person is required. Candidate must be proactive, a critical thinker, maintain a high work ethic, be self- motivated and focused, maintain a positive outlook and responds to change in a positive manner. Ability to work independently and within a team environment and possess excellent organizational skills.

Knowledge and use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook with proficiency. demonstrated ability to plan and organize activities and services; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish comfortable and effective relationship with others; secure the cooperation of others; successfully work with and serve a diverse local community. Demonstrated characteristics of initiative and resourcefulness; courtesy; sensitivity to the needs of residents.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

•Valid Driver’s License required.

•Successfully passing the FSS certification exam is required within 180 days of employment.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE COMPANY WEBPAGE AT: CAREERS.THECHA.ORG

Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000

Grade: S6

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Union: None

Policy Analyst, CHA - Chicago, IL

 About the job

POSITION SUMMARY

The Policy Analyst is responsible for preparing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Policy Analyst is also responsible for developing, implementing, and conducting training on these policies to CHA Staff, Property Management, Resident Service Providers, and stakeholders. This position reports to the Manager of Policy and Data Analytics.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintain full understanding of the CHA’s policies, procedures, goals, as well as HUD and internally established measurement systems. Current policies include: Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policies and Procedures; Residential Lease Agreement; Grievance Procedure; Non-Residential Premises Use and Lease Policy, the Senior Designated Housing Plan, and Property Manager Procedural Manual.
• Draft and train on Advisories to Property Managers regarding updates derived from HUD, state, or local legislation that directly impacts Property and Asset Management division functions.
• Conduct authority-wide training on CHA’s policies and procedures for CHA Staff, Property Management, Resident Service Providers, and stakeholders.
• Conduct best practice, statutory and regulatory research to determine the parameters to which the CHA must adhere.
• Ensure departments and property management are monitored for policy and procedure compliance.
• Analyze monitoring results and evaluate when and how the CHA revises current policies or procedures to meet CHA goals.
• Assess compliance with reporting requirements; review and analyze reports produced by ITS staff and prepare summary reports for management.
• Advise senior management of any pertinent regulatory changes and develop guidelines for compliance.
• Meet with advocates to enhance CHA’s reputation as an organization that builds coalitions to implement public housing policies.
• Execute special projects for the Property and Asset Management division.
• Prepare reports and data for the HUD Moving to Work Annual Plans and Reports.
• Prepare regular reports pertaining to Property and Asset Management division functions including but not limited to waitlist management, resident transfers, and leasing activities.
• Prepare and manage the Property and Asset Management division’s performance with the HUD Vacancy Reduction Scorecard to meet annual leasing goals.
• Draft policies, procedures, and implementation plans pertaining to the Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration, Project Based Voucher, and Housing Choice Voucher programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, urban planning, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration or related field is preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Sound analytical skills and the ability to be a strategic thinker. Highly organized with a consistent attention to details. Experience in policy and procedure development and/or implementation. Demonstrated knowledge and practical understanding of HUD policies, federal regulations, affordable housing operation, and community development. Demonstrated knowledge of researching, interpreting, and working with regulations to achieve business goals. Demonstrated capacity to work on several complex projects simultaneously. Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to the goals of public housing and a high comfort level with diverse populations and environments. Capability to thrive in a dedicated, challenging, and deadline driven organization. Computer proficiency inclusive of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

**FOR FULL CONSIDERATION - ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE A APPLICATION ON THE COMPANY WEBPAGE AT: CAREERS.THECHA.ORG

SALARY RANGE: $66,700 - $76,700

GRADE: S8

FSLA: EXEMPT

UNION: NONE