Texas Housers, Texas foremost housing policy research and advocacy organization, seeks a leader dedicated to racial and economic justice, possessing a passion and expertise for fair housing, affordable homes, environmental justice and equity in public infrastructure for low-income communities. We seek a person knowledgeable and confident to speak out and lead a team to educate on issues, progressive policies and solutions to the widespread inequities in these subject areas that exist in the nation, the state and especially in the Houston/Southeast Texas region. The position requires a commitment to support grassroots leaders to assess and analyze the problems, develop solutions and advocate justice.
The co-director will lead a team of five Houston-based researchers, organizers and planners who work with grassroots community leaders in low-income communities of color, public interest attorneys, activists, public officials and others. The position reports to Texas Houser’s senior co-directors and receives support from our highly skilled team of researchers, planners and communications professionals from our offices across Texas.
The Houston office works across southeast Texas, including Harris, Galveston, Montgomery, Liberty, and Jefferson counties. Regular travel is required, as is work outside traditional business hours. The position is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Southeast Texas office, helps to set priorities, identify communities, collaborate and supervise team members in research, investigations, community education, monitoring of government programs and expenditures, policy analysis, community outreach, community organizing and solutions development.
Our Houston office is part of our statewide team of researchers and policy experts in offices in Austin, Houston, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Commitment to racial and economic justice and equity.
- Two years of experience in supervising and/or managing a team.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Demonstrated research skills.
- Critical thinking and problem solving.
- Subject matter familiarity.
- Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED COMPETENCIES (not all required)
- Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred, graduate degree preferred.
- Knowledge of the conditions and problems facing people with low incomes and neighborhoods in the Southeast Texas region or similar areas.
- Experience in grassroots outreach, organizing, education, and engagement.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with grassroots community organizations, community partners, government officials and national advocacy organizations.
- Storytelling skills to help the public understand the nature of the problems and develop support for solutions.
- Strong skills in research, policy analysis and social and traditional media to effectively engage in grassroots education and outreach.
- Research, data aggregation and analytical skills.
- Ability to recognize campaign opportunities and challenges in the political landscape.
- Strong computer literacy including Geographic Information System (GIS).
- Educational background and/or experience in civil rights law or advocacy, public administration and public policy, urban planning, ethnic studies, especially in fair housing, affordable housing, environmental justice and community development.
COMPENSATION
Industry standard benefits. Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
HOW TO APPLY
Email to karen@texashousing.org the following:
- Cover letter describing your interest in this position;
- Resume (including your contact information and phone number); and
- A recent writing sample of one to four pages (max) demonstrating your writing skills.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the position will be filled when a qualified applicant is identified.
