Assistant Undersecretary of Rental Assistance

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking an Assistant Undersecretary of Rental Assistance/M9 in the Division of Public Housing & Rental Assistance!

AGENCY MISSION:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is responsible for building more homes and lowering housing costs across the Commonwealth through partnerships with municipalities, housing authorities, and community stakeholders.

OVERVIEW:

The Assistant Undersecretary of Rental Assistance, referred to here as “Assistant Undersecretary” is a senior level position within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Division of Public Housing & Rental Assistance that has broad administrative responsibilities.  This position is responsible for administrative oversight of federal and state tenant-based rental assistance programs administered by the department--which address the housing needs of low and moderate income families, the elderly, and persons with special needs.  Primary focus is on providing tenant-based rental assistance and services  for extremely low income (ELI) and low-income families applying for or receiving rental assistance. 

The Assistant Undersecretary is a strategic leader, overseeing key programs within the Bureau of Rental Assistance, and playing a pivotal role in developing and executing policies.  This position reports directly to the Undersecretary of Public Housing & Rental Assistance and works closely with other senior leaders, external partners, and stakeholders to develop and implement effective policies and strategies to achieve the Division’s mission.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

1. Rental Assistance Program Administration and Oversight:

·       Administration of the federal Moving to Work program including over 20,000 federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCVs) and its associated initiatives, and over 12,000 state-funded vouchers in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), and Department of Mental Health Rental Subsidy Program (DMHRSP) programs.

·       These rental assistance programs play a significant role in meeting several key aspects of EOHLC’s mission including: providing decent affordable housing for the Commonwealth’s poorest residents; increasing income and assets for this population; funding workforce development and economic mobility programs, reducing and preventing homelessness; and, providing housing-related information and referrals for all housing consumers in MA. These programs are managed by nine regional administering agencies and 120 local housing authorities.

·       The Assistant Undersecretary is responsible for the day to day management of the rental assistance programs.  This includes the development and implementation of all policies and procedures for the Bureau of Rental Assistance’s programs including: their fiscal integrity; ensuring that federal and state annual appropriations are fully utilized; ensuring compliance with the respective statutory and regulatory requirements; and building and maintaining positive, responsive and informative relationships with multiple stakeholders.

2. Policy Development and Execution:

Provide leadership, direction and focus for all major Division initiatives, including:

a)     New policies for improvement of rental assistance programs

b)     Development and implementation of waivers and other Moving to Work flexibilities on the federal rental assistance programs

c)     Recommendations for policy changes requiring legislation or regulatory changes to Undersecretary and Secretary’s office

d)     Significant information technology projects and business process changes to enable the Division to better meet its mission

e)     Timely and comprehensive responses to all new funding opportunities issued by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or another entity

f)      Design of procurements, contracts (with legal staff review) and companion scopes of services for all subcontractor services, and development of administrative documents

g)     Major management and oversight of subcontractor agencies (Grantees and sub-grantees) and Local Housing Authorities

·       Preparation of major policy reports, evaluations and other documents; response to HUD, Office of Inspector General (OIG), legislative inquiries, and other audits and management reviews of Division programs; and

·       At the direction of the Undersecretary, significant modification or development of new rental assistance programs and related programs.

3.Team Leadership and Management:

·       Supervise and support three program divisions and their teams, ensuring that they have the necessary resources, training, and guidance to perform their duties effectively and efficiently

·       Foster a collaborative and effective working environment.

·       Maintain a workforce that values resilience and continuous improvement.

·       Provide leadership to a staff of 33 employees who administer the Division’s programs.

 

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management:

·       Establish and maintain accessible and collaborative relationships with a wide array of program administrators and stakeholders.

·       Understand and balance the needs and interests of the various stakeholders and engage the Undersecretary in these relationships when necessary.

·       Communicate with other stakeholders, such as advocacy organizations, legal services, HUD, the press, members of the Congressional delegation or the Legislature, who may have questions about program operations, or a need to follow-up on a particular issue, and, depending upon the nature of the inquiry, it may be more appropriate for a higher level EOHLC staff member to respond.  In these cases, the Assistant Undersecretary must be able to quickly prepare accessible and useful information for other EOHLC staff to use.

5. Performance Management:

·       Provide oversight and management of performance metrics across Bureau of Rental Assistance programs to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

·       Utilize data to monitor program effectiveness to inform decision making and policy developments and make recommendations. Take corrective actions as appropriate to improve performance.

·       Work with senior leaders to adjust throughout the program as needed to improve outcomes. Create reports and supports in communication of program progress to senior leadership.

6. Bureau of Rental Assistance Representation:

·       Coordinate with the Undersecretary to represent the Bureau in various forums and meetings, such as legislative hearings, intra-agency and inter-agency task forces, committees, public events, media interviews, and community partner events.

·       Communicate the Bureau’s mission, programmatic vision, goals, and achievements, and advocates for the needs and interests of the populations served.

7. Resource Allocation and Budget Management

·       Advocate for funding, programs to support state-funded and administered voucher programs.

·       Provide ongoing review of all fiscal and programmatic data and reports to ensure fiscal objectives are met and to determine actions that may be required to achieve program objectives or compliance.

·       Work collaboratively with CFO to ensure that the rental assistance programs are utilizing the best available financial information when making programmatic decisions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1.     Demonstrated high level of management experience and skill in administration of a large and complex public agency.

2.      Detailed knowledge and understanding of tenant based rental assistance programs including day to day operations, financial management, different sub-types of tenant based programs (including project based vouchers), program evaluation, policy analysis and strong written and verbal communication abilities.

3.     Proven ability to work effectively with wide range of people, organizations, and interests, often in conflicting situations and pressurized environments. 

4.     Proven ability to take the initiative and to resolve complex administrative problems is essential.

5.     Demonstrated track record of organizing, implementing, and managing complex management systems on a day to day basis.

6.     Knowledge and experience in the following: management techniques, quantitative analysis, operations and personnel management.

7.     Proven ability to exercise sound judgement in prioritizing competing demands and meeting deadlines.

8.     Proven ability to modernize and to reform systems, make structural changes, provide professional training, and exercise common sense, personal integrity, and good judgement.

9.     This position requires accomplished interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to balance the management of administration and finance functions while providing support, compassion and commitment.

10.  Expertise in tenant based rental assistance programs (federal or state) for a minimum of five years is preferred.

11.  Experience working at a local housing authority and/or state/federal level is preferred.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

PRE-OFFER PROCESS:

A background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.