Housing Officer



Job Details

Housing Officer

This listing closes on 7/9/2025 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana.

Employer

City of Sunnyvale

Salary

$179,614.00 - $224,518.00 Annually

Location

Sunnyvale, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

25-00075

Department

Community Development

Division

Housing

Opening Date

06/06/2025

Closing Date

7/9/2025 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

Description

HOUSING OFFICER
Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a Housing Officer to oversee the Housing Division in the Community Development Department, responsible for the City's affordable housing programs, human services funding, federal grants and homeless services. The ideal candidate will be a passionate affordable housing professional known for being creative and solution-oriented and will be well-versed in state and federal housing legislation and familiar with the unique challenges presented by California's housing market. This position manages the City's varied federal, state and local housing programs and projects and is responsible for managing the technical, fiscal and policy aspects of complex projects and programs. This position serves as liaison to the Housing and Human Services Commission which advises the City Council on funding and policy related to affordable housing and human services. The Housing Officer needs to work collaboratively with the Director, the other two program managers, the Housing Division staff, and many directors and program managers in other City Departments. Excellent written and spoken communication is required along with an excellent rapport with stakeholders and colleagues.

Currently, major work efforts include implementation of the 2023-2031 Housing Element Programs and establishment of programs to assist unhoused members of the community. Development of these programs requires coordination and partnership with numerous departments in the City, the County of Santa Clara, and agencies providing services. Consultant/contractor assistance may be required for developing and implementing programs.

Under administrative direction, the Housing Officer develops, coordinates, and administers housing and community assistance programs for low-income persons and households. Such programs may include the City's federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), HOME Program and the Housing Mitigation Fund. The Housing Officer facilitates and assists in the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing projects. This involves independently negotiating and monitoring contracts with private and non-profit developers, contractors, and homeowners. The incumbent also coordinates preparation of the Housing and Community Revitalization Sub-Element of the General Plan; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This position is distinguished from the higher level of Director of Community Development in that the latter has overall administrative responsibility of a major City department and its components.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following)

  • Supervises staff and manages the Housing Division within the Community Development Department.
  • Prepares and monitors the Division budget.
  • Directs grant and resource development activities including applications for Federal, State, foundation, corporation improvement programs and activities.
  • Coordinates the preparation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan, annual Action Plan, and Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER).
  • Oversees and ensures compliance with federal CDBG budgeting, recordkeeping, reporting and auditing requirements.
  • Serves as staff to the Housing and Human Services Commission.
  • Coordinates preparation of the Housing and Community Revitalization Sub-Element of the General Plan.
  • Manages the CDBG and HOME entitlement programs and the City's housing mitigation fund.
  • Develops and implements the City's Housing Strategy for production and rehabilitation of low income/workforce housing.
  • Supervises the City's Below Market Rate (BMR) Program, First-time Homebuyers Program and various housing improvement programs.
  • Manages outside contracts for fair housing, rental information and mediation, and shared housing programs.
  • Plans and directs community needs assessments.
  • Provides project administration assistance to subgrantee agencies funded through federal agencies.
  • Assists in the coordination of special housing projects.
  • Serves as a liaison with county, regional, state and federal agencies and private industry in the development and coordination of housing programs and projects.
  • Negotiates and monitors contracts with private and non-profit developers, contractors and homeowners for the construction and rehabilitation of housing.
WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university; AND five years of highly responsible experience in administering housing and community assistance programs, including two years of supervisory experience.

A Master's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of housing and community assistance program administrative work experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel and budget management.
  • Grant application procedures and practices.
  • Federal and State regulations governing operations of housing programs.
  • Current trends and developments in the area of housing.
  • Housing markets and real estate practices.
  • Methods of financing affordable housing construction and rehabilitation.

Skill in:

  • Negotiating contracts with private and public agencies or non-profit housing developers.
  • Coordinating services and enlisting the support of other divisions within the department, city and other governmental agencies.
Ability to:
 
  • Plan and direct the operations of complex programs.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individual and citizens' groups, businesses and other internal and external agencies.
  • Supervise staff, effectively delegate work, and maintain a positive work environment.
  • Prepare comprehensive reports and make effective public presentations.
  • Formulate policies and establish standard operating procedures.
  • Analyze and apply complex governmental instructions, regulations and legislation.
  • Act as a role model for the City's Commitment to Excellence in providing service to the public and City employees.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Licenses/Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
 

Application and Selection Process

APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources by Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 5:00pm (postmarks or faxes are not accepted). 

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on Jobs.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.
 Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Friday, August 1, 2025(Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of August 11, 2025.
Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Management SMA Benefits
 

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

01
Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire:
This supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The supplemental information that you provide will be evaluated along with your completed application. Please limit your response to one page per question. In answering the question(s), be as specific as you can. Some questions may include multiple parts (i.e., (a), (b), (c), (d), etc.). Please make sure to address each part of each question in the supplemental questionnaire below.

Please be advised that you will be 'timed out' of this page after 30 minutes. Therefore, it is best to copy the supplemental questions that require text answers from this page into a document that you can save on your computer, produce your responses in that document, and then copy and paste the responses into the space provided below. Additionally, please save your work continuously.

The completed application and responses to supplemental questions constitute an examination. Note: qualifying experience must be reflected on the education, work experience, Certificates/Licenses section of the job application form. Please note the information provided in the supplemental question will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application.
Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be used to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position.

Your responses to the questions that require you to detail your background and experience should include the following information:*
  • The number of years of experience you have had performing the duties that you are describing;
  • The name(s) and type(s) of organization(s) where you obtained such experience; and,
  • Your role and specific responsibilities within the organization(s).
*Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire and in accordance with these instructions, I understand that written responses to the supplemental question(s) listed below are required, in order to evaluate my qualifications for this position and for my application to be considered complete.

Additionally, I certify that I have completed the following supplemental questionnaire on my own; the answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and, I understand that my responses are subject to verification.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university? If yes, please enter your degree and major in the space below. If no, please enter N/A in the space below.
  • Yes
  • No
03
Do you possess five years of highly responsible experience in administering housing and community assistance programs, including two years of supervisory experience. Please note: A Master's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of housing and community assistance program administrative work experience.
  • Yes
  • No
04
If you answered "yes" to the question above, describe your experience administering housing and community assistance programs, including two years of supervisory experience. Include the number of years of experience, the name of the organization where you obtained your experience, and your role and responsibilities. If you answered "no," enter 'n/a' in the box below.
05
Describe your experience in a leadership role. In your response, include at least one specific example that demonstrates the following: (a) the type of leadership role you played; (b) the number of staff you supervised and the level of staff (e.g., professional, technical, clerical staff) you supervised; and, (c) strategies you have employed in developing and implementing organizational goals, objectives and policies.
06
The following question will be evaluated based on the technical information in the response and the quality of writing. Your response should be between about 500-750 words. Describe your experience developing, coordinating and administering a comprehensive housing and/or community assistance programs that includes administering federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. Include in your answer at least one specific example that demonstrates the following: (a) your role and level of responsibility in the organization; and, (b) your project management and contract administration experience.

* Required Question

Employer
City of Sunnyvale
Phone
408-730-7490
Website
https://sunnyvale.ca.gov
Address
456 W. Olive Avenue

Sunnyvale, California, 94086

Apply

OnlineApplication

Warning! You are using Internet Explorer 8. Some features of the Online Application are not fully supported in this version. Please upgrade to a later version of Internet Explorer for optimal performance.

Loading ...