THE OPPORTUNITY
Mountain View is at the center of some of the most consequential affordable housing work happening in California right now. Mountain View is unique among comparable cities in the region and State, with its own Housing Department, leadership, dedicated budget, and organizational structure and standing to drive real outcomes. Mountain View is also a State-designated ProHousing City, the first jurisdiction in Santa Clara County to achieve this distinction.
As a Housing Officer, you will lead a broad portfolio of policy initiatives such as the tenant protection strategy, middle-income homeownership strategy, Housing Element implementation, as well as the implementation of the Below Market Rate (BMR) program. These are high-profile initiatives and programs, and the Housing Officer position has an opportunity to make a significant positive impact in the implementation of these initiatives.
This is not a maintenance role. We are looking for a professional who gets things done, meaning someone who can move from strategy to execution, manage a demanding workload, and take projects from concept to completion. If you thrive where your contributions are visible and your follow-through is expected, this is the position for you!
WHAT YOU’LL DOReporting to the Affordable Housing Manager, core responsibilities for this role include:
Policy & Program Development
- Lead implementation of Housing Element goals and Council-adopted priorities, including developing and implementing a middle-income homeownership program and tenant displacement response strategy.
- Monitor state housing legislation; assess local policy impacts and prepare recommended responses. Track and engage with state and regional legislative activity through coordination with the City’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Office.
- Author policy briefs, council reports, and presentations; present findings to commissions and City Council.
Below Market Rate (BMR) Program
- Oversee the City’s BMR inclusionary housing program, including staff and the City’s third party BMR administrator to ensure project compliance, resident selection for BMR units, and the annual recertification process.
- Provide responsible support to the Affordable Housing Manager by serving as liaison with market rate housing developers across all phases of project development, negotiations, and compliance.
- Serve as the lead point of contact with the Community Development Department, and the primary staff responsible for reviewing planning commission and Council memos, project Conditions of Approvals, and other documents necessary to facilitate market rate projects and BMR units. Review complex project entitlement applications to confirm compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws/standards.
- Lead the development of transaction documents such as BMR regulatory agreements, density bonus agreements, etc.
- Manage housing consultants, project due diligence process including economic and legal analysis, and coordinate program delivery.
Program Tracking & Accountability
- Own deliverable tracking across Housing Element programs; maintain dashboards and reporting systems that support accountability and transparency.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, planning, public or business administration, or a closely related field.
Experience
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in one or more of the following:
- Affordable housing project management or policy
- Urban planning with a housing focus
- CDBG or HOME Programs
- Rent stabilization or tenant-landlord programs
Including at least one (1) year of progressively responsible project management experience.
License
Valid California Class C driver’s license required by date of appointment.
Highly Desirable
- Bilingual in Spanish (spoken and written)
- Experience with CA Housing Element law and State housing compliance requirements
WHO YOU AREThe ideal candidate is a confident, capable professional who plans effectively and follows through with precision. You are:
- An excellent conceptual and strategic thinker.
- A proven executor who pushes your projects from start to finish without close supervision. You drive your deliverables and understand how to develop and implement effective workplans in a timely manner.
- Proactive and solutions oriented. You identify problems and move toward solutions rather than waiting to be directed; yet you know when to manage up and seek support with your supervisor or colleagues.
- A strong writer and communicator who can translate technical housing policy into clear, compelling reports and presentations. You must be able to identify core issues, frame them effectively, and communicate a clear narrative for decision-makers and the public.
- Knowledgeable about California housing law, the state legislative environment, and the intersection of local and state housing policy.
- Able to work at multiple altitudes: understanding higher-level multi-dimensional policy issues, trade-offs, and constraints, rolling up your sleeves to develop the tactics and details that make it real, with excellent decision-making abilities informed by political astuteness.
- Mission-driven and motivated by real-world impact on individuals, families, and the community.
- You are team player and collaborator, both within the Department, across the City organization, and with external organizations and community members, with a customer-service orientation.
Submit your application and resume online at governmentjobs.com or to the Human Resources Department; City of Mountain View, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 903-6309. Please provide a valid email address on your application. Application materials will be screened on a continuous basis with a new application review date of Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 5:00 pm (PST). Applications received by this date will be prioritized. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early as this recruitment may close at any time.
Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to the following process:
- Oral Board Interview Panel (weighted 100%) via video conference (Zoom).
- In-person Department Interview – Select candidates who pass the oral board interview may be invited to meet with staff from the Housing Department for a more in-depth discussion regarding the position and their qualifications.
Depending on the number of applicants, this process may be altered.
Fine Print. The annual salary range is $125,381 - $188,072 with a control point of $156,726.Pay beyond the control point may be awarded for exceptional experience and qualifications upon hire and/or for meritorious performance while serving. On July 1, this position will receive a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request. The City of Mountain View is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Prior to hire, candidates are required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including employment verification, Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI fingerprint check. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification or termination.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
