Texas Low Income Housing Information Service (TxLIHIS) is seeking a talented and dedicated Rio Grande Valley Research Intern for policy research focused on fair housing and housing affordability in low income and minority communities. These communities have historically suffered because of disinvestment in decent housing stock, public infrastructure and education, and the exclusion of community input. The Research Intern will play a key role in our efforts to address these issues, collecting and understanding data and information regarding housing affordability in the cities and metropolitan areas of the Valley.
The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher or data collection analyst with the ability to work with and retrieve information from government and other resources. The Research Intern will report directly to Josué Ramírez, our Rio Grande Valley Director, and work closely with community organizers and regional partners.
Scope of Work:
• Work with community leaders to understand their housing affordability priorities and concerns for the city of McAllen
• Organize and effectively communicate at all levels – with the grassroots community, policy experts, as well as municipal and county staff.
• Execute a sophisticated research strategy by working with TxLIHIS staff, community leaders and municipal staff.
• Review City Council and Commissioner Court minutes and track housing items, motions and other information.
• Arrange and prepare housing affordability discussions with local community members in collaboration with the Rio Grande Valley Director.
• Work with key partners to understand collected information and to train community leaders.
• Maintain our key partners updated on research scheduling and plan logistics.
• Coordinate the housing affordability messaging, talking points and strategy with TxLIHIS communications staff.
• Work with and enhance existing TxLIHIS database to record information.
• Identify opportunities to present the report to local stakeholders.
• Other duties, as required.
Core Competencies:
• Excellent community organizing and strategizing skills
• Passion and commitment to social, economic and racial justice
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills with demonstrated focus on research, policy analysis, outreach and targeted communications
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Familiarity with nonprofit role in advocacy
• Advanced research and data collection
• Public policy research
• Archival work and experience a plus
• ARC GIS capabilities a plus
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
Deliverables:
• Develop and implement a housing research plan for retrieving data and resources.
• Collect and analyze the City of McAllen’s Housing Affordability data.
• Create a Housing Affordability Report.
• Present the report to local elected officials with the cooperation of nonprofit partners.
Other Information:
• Work will revolve around the Edinburg and McAllen area.
• Primarily telecommuting from home.
• Pay starts at $12/hr (20-25 hrs a week).
• Perfect opportunity for a grad student or recent graduate.
How to Apply:
Please email a resume, cover letter and three professional references to Rio Grande Valley Director Josué Ramírez at josue[at]texashousing[dot]org with “Housing Research Intern” in the subject line.
