Senior Research Analyst

Tennessee Housing Development Agency•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Senior Research Analyst develops a strategy for integrating the Consolidated Planning process and associated reporting into the administration of state and federal programs. The role leads related data collection, analysis, and reporting within agency divisions and with state and federal agencies. The position leads preparation of statewide comprehensive housing plans and reports in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations. It also develops and leads approaches to data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination for federal reporting, including reporting related to Fair Housing rulings and Title VI. The analyst coordinates data collection for federal grant programs, builds relationships with internal and external partners, develops quantitative models related to affordable housing supply and demand, monitors federal regulatory changes, and analyzes programs and policy implications. The role prepares written and multimedia reports and presentations, responds to information requests, supports training for partners, participates in public meetings, and completes technical, analytical, GIS-related, and administrative projects as needed. Occasional travel within and outside the state, including overnight travel, is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public administration, or a closely related field.
At least one course in statistics and one upper-division or graduate course in discipline-specific research methodology.
At least four years of related experience.
Ability to clean, merge, and engineer large administrative datasets using R, Stata, or comparable software.
Ability to conduct descriptive statistical analysis, including cross-tabulations, regressions, and chi-square tests, using syntax or code in R, Stata, or comparable software.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external constituents.
Ability to synthesize complex policy and program information into actionable items for program leaders.
Ability to write professional and technical reports using maps, graphs, charts, tables, and text for diverse audiences.
Good judgment in evaluating complex situations and fairness, courtesy, and tact when dealing with staff and the public.
Ability to adjust to frequent procedural changes and maintain attention to detail and accuracy.
Critical inquiry into processes and mechanisms associated with reporting.
Competence in public speaking.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and the internet, and ability to adapt to other computer systems.
Ability to document communications and work products accurately and in a timely manner.
Current, valid driver’s license from the employee’s domicile state and ability to drive.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including regularly sitting, standing, using hands to handle or feel, and talking and hearing; occasional walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, or crouching; and close and distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to travel occasionally in-state and out-of-state, including overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in housing programs, social programs, community development, survey administration, construction or design (including energy-efficient construction), or local government policy such as property taxes, assessments, and zoning.
Other combinations of education and experience may be considered if evaluated as equivalent.

Responsibilities

Lead preparation of statewide comprehensive housing plans and reports required by HUD regulations, including the Consolidated Plan, annual Action Plan, CAPER, and Substantial Amendments.
Develop and lead strategies for data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of findings for Fair Housing rulings, Title VI, and other federal reporting.
Coordinate data collection for federal grant programs within state agencies, including ECD and the DOH.
Streamline communication with internal and external partners to support timely, accurate data collection and dissemination of findings.
Build and manage relationships with program division leaders, external agency leaders, public housing agencies, and stakeholders across the state.
Build quantitative models to determine affordable housing supply and demand and associated program scoring mechanisms.
Monitor federal regulatory changes and their effects on programs and organizational planning, and communicate implications to affected parties.
Develop training and materials for internal and external partners involved in federal reporting.
Analyze programs using administrative data and provide insights to program leaders as needed.
Respond to information requests from divisions, the public, agency partners, private organizations, and other government agencies in accordance with customer service guidelines.
Analyze and evaluate policy implications and present findings through reports, articles, policy briefs, working papers, study findings, fact sheets, and executive summaries.
Plan and participate in multimedia presentations and public meetings at venues across the state.
Source, collect, and use special-purpose data for planning and program purposes.
Complete technical, analytical, GIS-related, and administrative projects as needed.