City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Community Displacement Prevention Officer

Under limited direction, this position oversees the development, coordination, and administration of programs, policies, and practices to advance the most rigorous response to gentrification and prevent displacement of communities of color and low-income residents.

1. Is responsible for a wide range of activities that address community displacement and gentrification to include education and outreach initiatives, program development, policy implementation, planning activities, and partnership development with a priority to racial equity.
2. Develops short-, mid-, and long-term prioritized implementation plans for displacement prevention aligned with policy goals and objectives that address disparities in communities of color and low-income populations at risk of displacement.
3. Uses data about the scope, extent of, and the economic and human costs of racial inequities, with particular attention to the communities most impacted by systemic racism to inform analysis and strategies to develop and implement programs that improve the quality of life for people at risk of displacement.
4. Plans a continuum of services that offer a strategy to combat gentrification and support displacement prevention by engaging and coordinating with internal and external partners.
5. Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with City departments, government entities, colleges and universities, non-profits and private sector agencies, community-based groups, human services advocacy groups, service providers, clients, and others to co-create program strategies and garner program support.
6. Leads external engagement activities and serve as the liaison to neighborhoods, civic associations, and Council offices.
7. Represents the City as the lead expert on the City's displacement prevention strategy and investments.
8. Presents programs, initiatives, and direction to the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, boards and commissions, community groups, and department directors.
9. Develops and implements a results-based evaluation and accountability model to support current and future program direction. Determines the metrics that define performance, the gaps that exist at individual program levels, and the collective impact of the displacement mitigation services.
10. Prepares relevant reports and presentations to the executive-level management, City Management, and City Council.
11. Assesses community needs and promotes community cohesion to stimulate changes within organizations and the wider community.
12. Develops consistent communication and feedback mechanisms to ensure the department can identify, discuss, and address equity issues impacting community members at risk of displacement.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities, including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of business case development, strategic business planning, reengineering, organizational change strategies, performance measurement, and project management.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the history of institutional racism in housing and tools and strategies necessary to address these systemic issues.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to give public presentations.
• Ability to analyze and resolve irregular events.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to engage with diverse staff and leadership to promote trust, collaboration, and partnership between departments and levels of leadership.
• Ability to engage a wide variety of stakeholders in challenging dialogue and critical self-reflection around racial identity, implicit bias, systemic racism, structural inequities, etc. associated with displacement prevention.
• Ability to improve and strengthen community cohesion and connection through interventions that honor community history and culture.
• Ability to?analyze root causes and systematic origins of racial inequities,?who is subsequently privileged or harmed, and adjust actions as needed.
• Ability to manage and/or develop grant funding opportunities.
• Ability to work in partnership with stakeholders and constituents.
• Ability to work with diverse populations, groups, and staff.

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, human services, public administration, business, or related field, plus five (5) years of experience in community services programs in one of the following areas: planning, social services, affordable housing, community development, or public administration, including at least two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory role.