Housing Policy Specialist

MSPCA-Angell

Job Description

This is a full-time 40 hour a week position. There may be flexibility for a hybrid schedule with required in office days and in person meetings with stakeholders. Occasional travel and night and weekend hours may be required.

THE POSITION:

We have a newly created position open for a Housing Policy Specialist. The Housing Policy Specialist will develop and implement strategies to create more pet-inclusive housing in Massachusetts. The successful candidate in this new position will have a record of effective advocacy with strong experience in efforts to improve equity in housing and knowledge of the fundamentals of established housing policy. Working in close coordination with internal colleagues, the Housing Policy Specialist will devise, initiate, and drive housing strategies that achieve significant outcomes in keeping pets and people together.

The Housing Policy Specialist will forge new policies to permit pets in housing by working with local housing authorities and municipal governments, state agencies, and the legislature. The Housing Policy Specialist will also develop or have existing relationships with housing providers and associations to be able to change no pets policies with sensible and workable guidelines that have positive outcomes for tenants with pets, tenants without pets, and landlords/management.

Additionally, the Housing Policy Specialist will develop, strategize, coordinate, manage and implement campaigns to prohibit insurers from discriminating based on breed and to work with stakeholders to address the inclusion of pets in domestic violence shelters/providing safe temporary housing.

WHO WE ARE:

The MSPCA-Angell is one of the oldest and most venerable humane organizations in the world, and working in an environment that clearly delivers on its mission of advancing the health and welfare of animals adds an important dimension to our work.

The MSPCA’s legislative and public policy work is essential to bringing about long-term change for all animals. We work locally, on the state level, and federally to improve animal protection laws and regulations. This work is supported by our volunteer Animal Action Team members, who write letters, make phone calls, attend lobby days at the Massachusetts State House, and meet with legislators to help improve the lives of animals.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

We are looking for applicants with a Bachelor's degree and at least three years of experience in a policymaking, administrative, or advocacy role with a focus on housing and animal protection issues. Strong customer service skills, time management skills and computer knowledge including use of WordPress, social media platforms and Google Drive/Docs are required. As this position requires exceptional verbal and written communication skills, we require applicants to include a cover letter showcasing your writing skills and detailing your experience working on housing and animal protection issues.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, have reliable transportation, be willing and able to travel, and work outside of normal hours frequently, including weekends and evenings.

OUR BENEFITS:

Our compensation package includes health, dental and life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, sick, and vacation time, employee discounts for pet health care, and free on-site parking.

If you are interested in working for an organization where your work is an important part of a respected and caring non-profit, this may be the career change you are looking for.

This is a full time job