Housing Officer

Description

HOUSING OFFICER
Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a Housing Officer to oversee the Housing Division in the Community Development Department, responsible for the City's affordable housing programs, human services funding, federal grants and homeless services. The ideal candidate will be a passionate affordable housing professional known for being creative and solution-oriented and will be well-versed in state and federal housing legislation and familiar with the unique challenges presented by California's housing market. This position manages the City's varied federal, state and local housing programs and projects and is responsible for managing the technical, fiscal and policy aspects of complex projects and programs. This position serves as liaison to the Housing and Human Services Commission which advises the City Council on funding and policy related to affordable housing and human services. The Housing Officer needs to work collaboratively with the Director, the other two program managers, the Housing Division staff, and many directors and program managers in other City Departments. Excellent written and spoken communication is required along with an excellent rapport with stakeholders and colleagues.

Currently, major work efforts include implementation of the 2023-2031 Housing Element Programs and establishment of programs to assist unhoused members of the community. Development of these programs requires coordination and partnership with numerous departments in the City, the County of Santa Clara, and agencies providing services. Consultant/contractor assistance may be required for developing and implementing programs.

Under administrative direction, the Housing Officer develops, coordinates, and administers housing and community assistance programs for low-income persons and households. Such programs may include the City's federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), HOME Program and the Housing Mitigation Fund. The Housing Officer facilitates and assists in the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing projects. This involves independently negotiating and monitoring contracts with private and non-profit developers, contractors, and homeowners. The incumbent also coordinates preparation of the Housing and Community Revitalization Sub-Element of the General Plan; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position is distinguished from the higher level of Director of Community Development in that the latter has overall administrative responsibility of a major City department and its components.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following)

• Supervises staff and manages the Housing Division within the Community Development Department.
• Prepares and monitors the Division budget.
• Directs grant and resource development activities including applications for Federal, State, foundation, corporation improvement programs and activities.
• Coordinates the preparation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan, annual Action Plan, and Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER).
• Oversees and ensures compliance with federal CDBG budgeting, recordkeeping, reporting and auditing requirements.
• Serves as staff to the Housing and Human Services Commission.
• Coordinates preparation of the Housing and Community Revitalization Sub-Element of the General Plan.
• Manages the CDBG and HOME entitlement programs and the City's housing mitigation fund.
• Develops and implements the City's Housing Strategy for production and rehabilitation of low income/workforce housing.
• Supervises the City's Below Market Rate (BMR) Program, First-time Homebuyers Program and various housing improvement programs.
• Manages outside contracts for fair housing, rental information and mediation, and shared housing programs.
• Plans and directs community needs assessments.
• Provides project administration assistance to subgrantee agencies funded through federal agencies.
• Assists in the coordination of special housing projects.
• Serves as a liaison with county, regional, state and federal agencies and private industry in the development and coordination of housing programs and projects.
• Negotiates and monitors contracts with private and non-profit developers, contractors and homeowners for the construction and rehabilitation of housing.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university; AND five years of highly responsible experience in administering housing and community assistance programs, including two years of supervisory experience.

A Master's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of housing and community assistance program administrative work experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel and budget management.
• Grant application procedures and practices.
• Federal and State regulations governing operations of housing programs.
• Current trends and developments in the area of housing.
• Housing markets and real estate practices.
• Methods of financing affordable housing construction and rehabilitation.

Skill in:

• Negotiating contracts with private and public agencies or non-profit housing developers.
• Coordinating services and enlisting the support of other divisions within the department, city and other governmental agencies.

Ability to:

• Plan and direct the operations of complex programs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individual and citizens' groups, businesses and other internal and external agencies.
• Supervise staff, effectively delegate work, and maintain a positive work environment.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and make effective public presentations.
• Formulate policies and establish standard operating procedures.
• Analyze and apply complex governmental instructions, regulations and legislation.
• Act as a role model for the City's Commitment to Excellence in providing service to the public and City employees.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Licenses/Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Application and Selection Process

APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources by Wednes day, July 9 , 2025, at 5:00pm (postmarks or faxes are not accepted).

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Friday, August 1, 2025 . (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of August 11, 2025.
Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 7/9/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Sunnyvale

• 408-730-3017

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