Program Officer, Sustainable Homes

LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. LISC works with residents and partners to close gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity so that people and places can thrive. We do this by acting as a conduit for grants, loans and equity—and by providing technical assistance and capacity building—to locally rooted organizations that carry out the work in communities.

About the role

The Sustainable Homes Program Officer will work with the Deputy Director to catalyze and support the energy efficiency and renewable energy transition in Massachusetts’ multifamily affordable housing sector. Together with diverse partners, the Program Officer will assess available services and programs, identify gaps in the building decarbonization ecosystem (e.g. technical assistance, funding/financing, enabling regulations, and access to good paying green building related jobs), and propose and advance program and policy solutions.

Responsibilities

• Program Management
  • Provide day-to-day management of the Climate Ready Housing Program, a ~$16M annual decarbonization grant funding program administered on behalf of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), and MassHousing. Responsibilities include developing and updating program application, review, and outreach materials; presenting program details to statewide partners; leading weekly calls with the administrative team; assembling and managing the review committee; preparing review/scoring materials; reviewing applications; and drafting recommendation memos, press releases, case studies, and related materials.
  • Manage the STAR Solar Program, which provides solar technical and financial analysis for the housing portfolios of Massachusetts affordable housing partners. Responsibilities include developing and updating program application, review, and outreach materials; presenting information to interested organizations; providing grants to eligible participants; meeting with and managing program partners Resonant Energy and Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC); and preparing grant proposals, subgrants/consultant contracts, and reports for program funders.
  • Manage the Community Charge Program, an electric vehicle charging station installation program for Massachusetts affordable housing partners, in partnership with PowerOptions and Green Energy Consumers Alliance. Responsibilities include program outreach and providing subgrants for selected participants, as well as supporting reporting to program funders.
  • Cultivate relationships with funders, financial institutions, public agencies, and philanthropic partners to align funding and investment opportunities with LISC Massachusetts’ housing and sustainability goals.
• Partner Capacity Building and Convening
  • Convene the Energy Cohort, a peer learning group for affordable housing practitioners interested in building decarbonization, climate resilience, and resident health. Responsibilities include leading planning meetings with program partners MACDC and New Ecology; organizing Energy Cohort meetings, roundtables, forums (both virtual and in-person), and building tours; developing content in partnership with building science firms; and arranging logistics.
  • Survey members and summarize feedback to identify trends in member needs and inform future topics.
  • Prepare related grant proposals, subgrants/consultant contracts, and reports for program funders.
  • Provide 1-on-1 support and connections for affordable housing organizations interested in decarbonizing their portfolios.
  • Participate in interagency affordable housing decarbonization working group and related coalitions.
• Research and Data Analysis
  • Maintain the Decarbonization Hub, a consolidated resource for affordable housing owners interested in accessing technical assistance and funding for building decarbonization projects. Update resources regularly in consultation with technical providers and funding partners.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of available sources of decarbonization funding and financing, including building relationships with funding partners.
  • Analyze financial and retrofit data to identify trends and opportunities for enhancement.
• Policy Advocacy
  • Provide support to the Deputy Director in advocating at the state and local level for needed decarbonization resources and regulatory solutions for affordable housing partners.
• Manage grantees and consultants and work on special projects and other initiatives as assigned.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with funders, partners, community members, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate or provide technical assistance and training, organizing, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred or requisite relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in sustainability, affordable housing, real estate development, community development finance, urban planning, lending, public policy, nonprofit program management, or related field work in neighborhoods.
• Knowledge of green building and sustainable development strategies, standards, and policies.
• Experience in grant writing, management, and reporting.
• Experience in data and policy analysis.
• Demonstrable commitment to community development and/or economic empowerment through past work and/or lived experience.
• Ability to balance creativity and innovation with outcomes-based program evaluation, data management, and reporting.
• Demonstrated success working with a variety of community, public, and private actors to design and implement effective, scalable, sustainable strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex matters and programs at various stages and coordinate with multiple internal and external parties to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Excellent communication, research, analysis, relationship, and team building skills.
• Knowledge of, and effective relationships within, the Massachusetts affordable housing, energy efficiency and renewable energy, philanthropic, and/or community development fields will be valued.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• General expertise in community development, and/or specific expertise in building decarbonization, affordable housing, and program management.

Pay

LISC offers a competitive salary range of $90,000-$95,000. Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's skill set, experience, education, work location, and other qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans: 401(k) and 403(b).
• Generous holidays, vacation, PTO, and sick days.
• Tuition assistance program.
• Referral program with rewards for referring qualified candidates.
• Professional development opportunities with access to ongoing training and development programs tailored to your goals.