BASTA Research & Policy Director
AUSTIN
$65000 - $80000 / yr + Full medical and dental benefits are provided to employees. Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays.
BASTA (Building and Strengthening Tenant Action) is a project housed in Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) dedicated to helping Austin renters work alongside their neighbors to improve conditions in their homes and communities. We envision a future where the collective action of Austin renters has brought healthy and affordable housing to all.
The Research and Policy Director will play a crucial role in supporting BASTA’s work to create a more equitable housing landscape by lending policy analysis and expertise to support the development and implementation of campaigns. This new position will work collaboratively with the Project Director and the rest of the BASTA team to build out BASTA’s policy program, ensuring that it is responsive to and informed by tenant experiences and needs This role requires an individual with expertise in policy research and housing issues who is a dynamic and persuasive oral and written communicator. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who enjoys the iterative process of making complex information accessible; likes wrestling with seemingly-intractable problems; and whose combination of insatiable curiosity, tenacity, and fastidiousness brings the depth of knowledge needed to tailor meaningful solutions.
Responsibilities:
Conduct comprehensive research and issue analysis on tenant rights, community benefits agreements, housing policy, and related topics;
Keep abreast of relevant local, state and national discourse related to tenants rights through engaging with traditional media, social media, and academic articles;
Monitor, analyze, and track legislation, regulations, and policy proposals at the local and state levels;
Attend public meetings and testify and comment, to the extent permitted, on matters related to tenants rights and housing affordability;
Build team understanding of policy issues and local policy landscape acting as a resource for staff;
Collaborate with the Data Analyst to utilize data tools and pipelines to gather and analyze relevant housing data;
Utilize research and data analysis to inform campaign targeting, including which properties to target for potential community benefits agreement campaigns along the Project Connect corridor;
Craft reports and advocacy materials to communicate research findings to stakeholders and the public;
In partnership with field staff and Staff Attorney, develop and deliver trainings and educational materials and presentations on land use, community benefits agreements, affordable housing, tenant rights, and housing policy issues;
Forge and maintain strong relationships with other housing advocacy organizations, legal services providers, community groups, and decision-makers;
Represent BASTA at conferences, community events, on panels, in the press,and in student research projects related to tenant policy issues;
Co-lead community benefits agreement efforts along the Project Connect with the support of field staff and Staff Attorney;
Understand the legal restrictions and guidelines related to BASTA’s policy advocacy; and
All other duties assigned.
Required Qualifications
Commitment to social, economic, racial and language justice;
Juris Doctorate (JD) or graduate degree in planning, policy or related field and at least 1 year of experience in policy analysis, community organizing or a related field OR a minimum of years of full-time experience in policy analysis, community organizing or related fields;
Firm foundation in housing policy issues and local political context;
Ability to problem solve and think strategically;
Excellent research, analysis and writing skills;
Strong interpersonal and consensus-building skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, including team members, tenants, landlords, developers, community partners, and decision makers;
Superb communication and public speaking abilities;
Ability to effectively multi-task, work well with others under pressure, and creatively adapt as needed;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
Proficiency with Google Docs, Sheets and Slides or Microsoft equivalents;
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends; and
Vehicle and driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proficiency in additional languages often spoken or used by tenants in Austin (ie., Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Pashto, Burmese, ASL);
Familiarity with local policy stakeholders;
Experience with planning and leading workshops, participatory meetings, and press events;
Proficiency in data analysis and the use of relevant tools and pipelines.
Experience with working in multilingual spaces;
Experience designing effective print materials with knowledge of Canva a plus; and
Familiarity with Salesforce, Slack, Miro, Hustle, and Toggl.
BASTA has a strong commitment to hiring staff that reflect the tenant communities we support. People of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and renters with experience living in low-income housing are encouraged to apply.
TO APPLY:
Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line “BASTA Research and Policy Director Application.”