Program Manager (Office of Housing Stability)

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Boston in Boston seeks a Program Manager for the Office of Housing Stability to oversee eviction prevention programs and support financial assistance initiatives. The role involves collaboration with landlords, tenants, and other city departments to prevent displacement and preserve tenancies.

The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of program management experience, strong customer service skills, and the ability to work flexible hours including evenings/weekends.

Qualifications

• At least two years of full-time program management experience.
• Knowledge of resources for landlords and tenants to preserve tenancies.
• Strong customer service and ability to work with the public.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and counseling skills preferred.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite preferred.
• Boston residency is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage eviction prevention services, including court meetings with representatives overseeing evictions.
• Assist Boston residents with identifying and accessing affordable rental housing.
• Provide referrals to rental and utility assistance.
• Process financial assistance applications using web-based systems.
• Assess needs of at-risk or displaced individuals/families to facilitate housing options and access to resources.
• Support landlord-tenant cases and inquiries.
• Design housing workshops in collaboration with supervisors.
• Coordinate with city agencies specializing in homelessness prevention and tenancy preservation.
• Document cases in the constituent relationship management system and update materials as required.
• Attend occasional night and weekend community meetings/events.

Skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Counseling skills

Multilingual capability

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Google Suite / Google Workspace

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

The Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) works to foster healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities for all by ensuring stable, green, and accessible housing and the sustainable use of land. MOH oversees programs that create and preserve affordable housing, support homeowners and renters, provide housing and services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and develop city-owned property. MOH envisions a Boston where all residents have the homes and neighborhoods they need to thrive.

Within the MOH, the Office of Housing Stability (OHS) is a front-facing, constituent services-based office. Our mission is to help residents find and maintain stable, safe, and affordable housing. Our office works to prevent displacement and promote housing preservation and stabilization. Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager or designee, the Program Manager will manage eviction prevention programs within the Office of Housing Stability and provide staff support for OHS financial assistance programs. The Program Manager will be a resource to landlords and tenants on a variety of issues related to rental housing and manage other emergency cases as needed, including those referred by the Mayor's Office or other City Departments.

• Manage eviction prevention services, including going to court to meet with court representatives overseeing landlord and tenant evictions; assist residents of Boston with identifying and accessing rental housing they can afford; and, through workshops, clinics, walk-in appointments, direct phone calls, and referrals, assist tenants with stabilization services and financial assistance.
• Provide referral services to City of Boston residents seeking rental and/or utility assistance.
• Use web-based computer programs to process financial assistance applications and make the appropriate referrals to vendors who manage said funds.
• Assess the needs and status of the at-risk or displaced individual or family in order to determine the housing options and to facilitate access to other needed resources or services.
• Assist with cases and constituent inquiries concerning many aspects of landlord and tenant relations.
• Designs housing workshops in partnership with the Senior Program Manager and Senior Development Officer.
• Coordinate with other city agencies specializing in homelessness prevention and tenancy preservation.
• Document constituent cases in OHS' constituent relationship management system and update other program materials as required.
• Attend occasional night and weekend community meetings and/or events as required.
• Perform related work as required.

• At least two (2) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in program management, preferably in work that included tenancy preservation, rapid rehousing, and/or housing search and placement. Appropriate educational substitutions may be made.
• Demonstrated knowledge of resources available to landlords and tenants to preserve tenancies and assist with housing searches.
• Strong customer service and proven ability to work with the public.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and counseling skills preferred.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills preferred.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the position.
• Ability to speak and write in other languages is preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard office workplace technology such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite is highly preferred.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, i.e., the willingness to work evenings and weekends in every neighborhood in Boston as needed.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SEIU/N-21
Hours per week: 35

Please note that the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) employees and their immediate family members are prohibited from buying or leasing City Involved Housing, with the exception of applicants living in City Involved Housing at the time of hire at MOH. Please refer to the Policy on Employee Participation in MOH Administered Programs.